Tanzania, day 8.
So I came to Africa because I felt the urge to sense the pulse of this continent.
Having started out in Arusha at the MS learning center was a smart move; during my stay two courses have been taught, and I have had the pleasure to stay and live and socialize with people from all of Central Africa.
They are all involved in projects which benefit the development here, ranging from women working with the UN peace corps in South Sudan, to men coordinating the buildings of simple water dams that can contain rainwater just below the surface of the sand, to nurses and medical doctors leading local education in hygiene, to guys providing materials for school sanitories, to people being involved with political infra structure, etc - in a mix of faithful Christians to dedicated Muslims to tribe people and atheists.
It has simply been an amazing experience!
I skyped with my kids a couple of days ago. Every so often the connection is lost, because internet connection is just as unstable as the electrical supply, but we managed. They are asking me about my days, and this is how they have been spent ...
MS is a beautiful center with huts for the students to live in, small gardens to hang out in and very good teaching facilities. There is a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner - which is all of delicious standards. There is always access to coffee and tea and soya.
Due to my tendency to wear out fast and my greater need for rest, I sleep in till 10, and therefor miss my breakfast. But everyone is telling me it is good. I wouldn't know - it is served at 8, and I haven't made it once :)
But I meet all the students for the 10 o'clock tea and I have had some wonderful and eye opening encounters here. Every one shows interest in every bodys being, and the atmosphere is open and welcoming.
As they go back to classes, I go to my hut and do research.
I have a new project that I am researching, and so far I am the only one involved :)
I research, I write, I think, I rest, I fall asleep and over again, only interrupted by the afternoon break, where we all meet for tea and coffee again. It is wonderful to have all this time to my self.
I have been so fortunate to make friends with one of the facilitaters (teachers) who has kindly taken me for afternoon rides in his Landrover, shown me the roads, the town, taught me on the way of living, introduced me to the American administrator of the nearby Arusha University with whom we had a long and very interesting visit and shown me a five star golf resort placed in the middle of the jungle.
Thank you Christopher!
At first I was a bit intimidated by this intelligent, loud laughing, pitch black, somewhat overweight man, who, with no blink of the eye sat next to me and ate the INTIRE leg of a chicken - the sound of his strong teeth crushing the bone teared my eyes - but once getting to know him, he turned out to be the sweetest, most helpful man one could imagine.
Apart from two Italian NGO's I am the only white person here - it gives me a good sense of being a minority. Although I am pretty ignorant to what is going on in this part of the world, everyone has shown what appears as a deep and sincere interest in my well being. I am amazed by the way they treat strangers. The only thing I have had a hard time getting used to, is the Imam shouting his prayers five times a day from right next door. And shortly after his last daily prayer, someone, seemingly in the same building, but probably not, turns on loud African music to entertain for the evening. Diversity lives.
Joseph from the main office is in charge of transportation here. When he heard that I am a self funded curious first time visitor to his country, he decided to help me to a less expensive deal of transportation than what the center normally arranges. So today I met Peter, a "younger" man who owns a very well kept huge Landrover, and who has spent the last 15 years as a Safari guide. Peter is a friend of Joseph, and he will drive and guard me through the tough roads of holed out asphalt and plain dirt, in escorting me from Arusha to the Ngoro Ngoro Crater over the next four days or so.
On our way I have planned to drive by a Danish owned Coffee Estate, visit some small coffee farmers, a couple of women educational centers and an orphanage among what ever else we run into. Of course I have to see a few of the expected tourist spots as well.
When I return I will write you more about my trip. For now, I will start packing up my room, as I listen to the hammering of "the short rain" and when that stops, I will see into the possibility to skyping with my kids.
Life is good.
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