Week 2 of Homestay

Hey everyone! Its wednesday and we are back in Arusha for the day. We went to the market this morning which was crazy. Everyone goes there to sell their fresh fruits and vegetables, so walking around there were tons of people calling out to us trying to get us to buy stuff. I picked up a few pineapples for my family but that was about it.
Homestay is going well, I am becoming more comfortable with my family and I think that they are with me too. It is hard since we are at class all day and our academic workload is HUGE. It is so much more than I expected so it doesnt leave too much time to hang out with the family. I usually try to sit in the kitchen with my mama for an hour before I study. We don't eat until 9pm each night so by the time I get back to my room I am quite exhausted and don't get too much work done.
This weekend I went to the shamba (farm) with Baba to see their maize and banana trees. Sunday we went to church which was an interesting experience. We got alot of looks being the mzungus of course, but it was fun. .THere was alot of singing and even rapping! It lasted about 2.5 hours and afterwards there was an auction of chickens and cabbage and such to raise money for the church. I spent most of the rest of the weekend visiting friends and studying.
We only have a week and a half left here, and then we head to Chole, I can't wait! More to come soon....
Megan

Hey everyone!
So I have survived my first few days in Bangata. I am living with a family and so far its going well. The language barrier is tough and culturally it is a big adjustment and still awkward, but my family is really nice. We have a great house, electricity and all, and I am getting used to the hole in the ground bathroom. I also shower out of a bucket in the same room the hole it. We call it the choo. I have 2 brothers ages 11 and 3 and a sister who is about 9. We have 4 cows, a cat, 2 dogs and chickens. The first night they killed a chicken for dinner- my brother ran around with the head for awhile, it was....interesting.
I am in class every day from 8 to 1, then we have lunch and usually study for awhile. I have slowly started helping around the house with the cooking (that takes like 4 hours) and chores, but we also have a house girl who does most of the work.
I'm really still adjusting since we are moving around so much but so far its going well. I miss my family and friends but really only 3 months left! Anyways thats it for now, will be around again in a week. much love

First Adventures

I have a little more time today so thought I would post again before dissapearing for a little while. Today I got up early and had a little adventure. I caught a public bus into town. Now when I say bus, I mean little van crammed with people. I definitely got a lot of looks being the only mzungu (white person) around. I got off the bus and proceeded to walk down a road towards the Impala hotel. I was immediately surrounded by 7 school children who walked with me the whole way, giggling at me and staring. They were all really cute and friendly. I arrived at the hotel and had breakfast with the Polman's and Lafferty's who just finished climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Then we decided to do a little shopping in the tourist district. It was exhausting! Everyone is very friendly but also wants you to buy something from them. I bought another conga but not much else since i am here for so long. I made a new friend who followed me around and showed me all the shops. I think he was what our AD calls a "rostitute", basically rasta type guys who are smooth with the "white ladies" as they call us. Don't worry, I am being very careful and no information was exchanged!
Tomorrow we go to begin our 3 week homestay with a local family in a town called Bangata which is on Mt. Meru, about 10K from Arusha. I'm excited but nervous, everyone seems so nice but I really hope I pick up the language quickly. So far my favorite thing I learned is the greetings between young people, the "cool" thing to say is Mambo, which is like what's up, and you reply Poa, cachizi camandizi (I'm sure that is spelled all wrong but it means cool like a banana!)
So I am really enjoying myself and am actually looking forward to 'classes' starting. What we will be studying is so fascinating, ideas of globalization, wealth, environmental resources, development..its really incredible to be studying those things in a place where it is all happening before your eyes.
Anyways, time to get back to the lodge- we have a swahili class this afternoon followed by a talk about our homestay.
I miss everyone so much and hope you are all doing well!!
Love, Meg

Camping Part 1

Hey everyone!
So I've arrived and survived my first week. We were in Ndakawai Ranch, in the foothills of Kilimanjaro camping! It was intense, windy, dusty, dirty, but we had great cooks and lots of fun. Now I am back in Arusha and on Sunday begin my 3 week homestay with a family in Bangata.
So far the hardest thing is not knowing the language. We start our intensive course this week so hopefully I will catch on quick.
Other than that I have been having lots of fun, we have been on several safaris- saw elephants, zebras, giraffes, warthogs, mpala, baboons, the list goes on! Its fabulous.
Anyways thats all I have time for, more to come for sure...
lots of love

Departure Day!!

Down to my last 45 minutes until I leave for the airport! I am all packed and ready ( I hope...) and my bag is huge! I feel like I am taking so much stuff, but then when I think about how long I am there for, it's hardly seems like enough. My snorkel gear and camping gear take up alot of space- my clothes take up the least believe it or not.
I am a little nervous- ok alot nervous! but its mixed in pretty well with excitment I am ready to go!
I'll try to update again when I get there!
Megan