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