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!