Back to civilization

Let me start with saying the past two weeks were incredible. The island was beautiful, the food was great (fish every day! even squid and octopus) We were spoiled. Our first week we did a PRA course, doing interviews in the village every day. Some of them were really challenging, others were really fun. Then the second week we had our coastal ecology course, with class 3 times a day; 1 walking around, 1 lecture, and 1-3 hours of snorkeling. The coral reefs and all the fish were so beautiful. We had quite a bit of work while we were there but also lots of free time to play games like mafia and sardines, as well as lots of hanging out.
We had a one day homestay which was so much fun! I was put with this really nice old lady, she took me to her house (mud hut, thatched roof) where she taught (or tried) me to weave mats and make rope. It was pretty sweet. Ramadan was going on the whole time we were there so we fasted that day and then broke the fast with our homestay family...it was really awesome. All the women in my family sat together on a weaved mat outside the house, eating pasta, beans and fish with our hands, all off one big plate. It was quite an image to see (all this by the light of a single lantern of course)
So, since I had such a great time...I am going back! I will be doing my independent study there from the 14th of November until the 2nd of December, working with the water board there trying to help them with their plan to pipe fresh water over from another island. So I will be very disconnected again, but am sure it will be wonderful.
I am in Arusha until Sunday morning then head out for a tour of the Ngorogoro crater, sergengeti, and a 4 day Maasai homestay! I'll be back in 2 weeks, so look for an update then! I miss everyone very much, and a special HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my little sister who turns 12 today! Love you Leigh, hope you have fun!
xoxo

First impressions of Dar

Just enough time for a quick update, arrived in Dar and leave Wednesday for the two weeks of isolation at the 'edge of the world' so says our AD.
We saw the ocean today, YAY! it was pretty cool. Dar itself is big, dirty, polluted and overwhelming, but kind of exciting and really interesting. I think I might do my ISP around here.
anyways, im here and safe after a crazy 10 hour bus ride- will write again in a few weeks!
Meg

Goodbye to the homestay family!

This morning we left Bangata after spending three weeks there. It was really sad to say goodbye to my family! Although there were definitely times during the three weeks that I thought I might not make it and was looking forward to leaving- in the end it all merges into one incredible experience. Last night I was holding my three year old brother as we stood out in the front yard watching bush babies playing in the banana trees in front of the house. I mean really, where else can you get an experience like that?! I am definitely going back up to visit the family before I leave Tanzania.
On a good note, we handed in our first mid-term assignment which was waay intense. 20 interviews of local villagers, 4 tables, 2 maps and 4 papers....way more work than I was expecting not to mention all hand written! Now we get a 2 day break before heading into our next classes...
Tonight is our last night as our big group of 31 before we split up tomorrow. I leave for Dar es Salaam in the morning with the zanzibar group, a ten hour bus ride. We are spending a few days at the university there and then flying to Chole Island.
So the thing with Chole is it is a small island of about 900 people. We are supposedly staying in a pretty sweet hotel minus a few catches: no electricity (anywhere on the island for that matter) no running water, and its gonna be super hot. But we will be having 2-4 hours of lectures every day followed by 2-4 hours of snorkling, who can complain. (And don't worry, i have SPF 60 so I will not get sunburned- I promise mom :) )
Anyways lots to get done today so have to get going, but I won't be updating again til I get back from Chole around the 20th of October. Much love!