Watoto wa Obama

It's been awhile since Emily or I have posted, but we are all still alive and well. Unfortunately, our laptops aren't picking up the internet signal so I'm using the school's computer, which means I can't upload any of my pictures. The internet stopped working after I loaded the picture of the snail... so I haven't been able to add anything else. I PROMISE we have seen cooler things than the snail.

Our trip to Mikumi National Park was awesome. We had our last morning of language school before we left, where we mainly talked about culture and were able to ask questions. Our Mzungu (foreigner) award of the day was granted to Shannon, who asked Chuma if there was a Swahili word for space alien. This launched us into a 20 minute discussion about witchcraft and voodoo. Our wazungu award was implemented the first couple days and generally the person who does the most ridiculous, touristy, or just plain stupid thing wins it. We left after lunch and made it to Mikumi, checked in, and went out for a few hours. We saw a lion within 5 feet of our bus, as well as elephants, giraffes, and several other animals. That night, we had a nice dinner and a drink at the lodge. We also found a snake and millipede on Katie's bed that evening. Scoundrels.

The next morning, we left at 6:30 for a few more hours of scouting, and saw some more good stuff. We all got really good pictures, and after a large brunch at the lodge, we did another hour. On our way out, we saw several baboons on the bridge, including a mother holding a baby. My favorites were the baboons. As we rolled into Mikumi the day before, I just finished a book written by a physiologist from Stanford who studies the behavior of baboons and he wrote a memoir about his years of field research in Kenya. It seemed entirely too appropriate. Laura forgot her camera back at the lodge so we had to turn around once we got out of the park... Mzungu award for Thursday.

Friday, we went to a Swahili village. It was much different than the Masaai village we had previously visited. It was such a bumpy ride that in the past, a priest tried to make it out there and got stuck, vowing to never return. Although it was completely offroad, Luka did a great job driving. Mara got out to take a picture of us driving down into a trench and lost her tenge (skirt/wrap) in the process. Everyone got a good laugh out of it. Mzungu award.

The village was great. Although there were a few Masaai there, it was primarily a Swahili village. The name of the village is Mazizi, which translates into "roots" in Kiswahili. We had tea and talked for at least an hour inside a small house, and then we moved into the church. Several of the women of the church were up front singing and dancing and leading the songs, while the children's choir sang for the first part of the service. There were 11 baptisms yesterday, 9 children and 2 adults. Pastor Hafermann gave the same sermon he gave at Lulenge and our group sang throughout. It's amazing how thrilled the congregation seems with our singing, although it's really just us all singing with an acoustic guitar with VERY little practice. They still seem to enjoy it, clapping and calling out during our songs.

After the service, there was a big auction. Almost everything was bought by people in our group, who outbid eachother to get the price up. All the money goes back to the church and the things that are donated are taken up front during offering. For instance, yesterday, chickens whose legs were tied together were weighed down at the alter by giant bunches of bananas, surrounded by tenges, soap, and other various food items, etc. During the auction, a young Masaai girl held my hand, playing with my fingers and pushing on my fingernails watching them turn from white to pink. She was adorable.

After the auction, we made our way back inside the house and we had a delicious lunch of rice, beans, and chicken. Luka and Robert got us home safely from the village last night.

Today, we visited the youth prison and Masaai cattle market, as well as bought books for the schools at the villages. I think the youth prison surprised a lot of us. It was pretty nice and it seems like the guards and staff have good relationships with the prisoners. There was a really nice church there that the prisoners built a few years ago. This trip in 2007 built pillars to extend the church, but they haven't been added to because when the President of Tanzania changed, many of the prisoners were pardoned and there was no need to make the church any larger. We took lots of soap and a soccer ball to the prison today. They were very happy... in the dorms, we saw the mosquito nets that the group had brought to the prison in the past hanging above the beds and being put to good use.

After the youth prison, we headed to the cattle market. Walking in between the tall Masaai and many small herds of cows, we made our way to somewhat of a stopping point. Pastor Herb is very popular round these parts and we never made it very far without him getting stopped. We stopped and met a man on a bicycle who we got coconuts from. We drank the milk and by the time we got to eating the flesh from the inside of the banana, we looked around and realized that we were completely surrounded by tall Masaai men. We quickly ditched the remnants of our coconuts and Luka led us to safety before we were engulfed. No, really, it wasn't that bad but we did feel slightly claustrophobic. We found tenge heaven and we all bought tenges to make into wraps, which everyone has been finding quite easy while we've been here. All the fabric is beautiful, unique, and reasonably priced.

Lunchtime! Chips Mayai was delicious. We all drank soda and Kadeghe started cutting the goat into small pieces. We all passed around plates of goat meat and waited for our main dish. The goat was delish. Chips Mayai is basically potato wedges fried with egg, and covered in vegetables... essentially a breakfast skillet and fun finger food! The food was wonderful and SO filling and after lunch, we made our way around a bit more. We were stopped by a few men who called us "Watoto wa Obama", which means children of Obama. People here are extremely fond of our new president, and when we tell them where we are from, their response often has to do with Obama.

The girls also made purchases like sandals made of recycled tire and clubs that the Masaai use to control their cattle. Mara used hers for people. For instance, once she hit me with it and then turned away so I thought Luka did. I was getting ready to turn around and thank Luka for helping me talk to one of the vendors about pricing, and when I did he was standing there smiling: "Hello! How are you?" Then I realized Mara was laughing and holding her club in the air. It was funny... I guess you had to be there. I don't know why anyone let her buy it.

It started to rain, so we made our way in small groups back to the vehicles. Then, we went back to the seminary and a few of us went back into Morogoro to buy books with the money that Chelsea's congregation gave us. We were able to purchase 43 books and 2 large maps. Luka bought some sugar cane at a vendor's and we all shared that before heading back for supper. Tonight, we sorted all of the books out, in addition to the books that Mom donated from Usborne. We have three sets: one for a high school, and two for primary schools at 2 of the villages we'll be attending.

Tomorrow, we'll go to another village where apparently they baptized 73 people last time. Then Monday, we'll go to Faraja (their link is found to the left) and Tuesday the rest of the group will do the same, but I will have the chance to shadow and work with the city's veterinarian all day. I'm SUPER excited. Wednesday, another village visit.. Thursday and Friday, we will work, build, etc. Saturday, we climb the mountain near the seminary. Sunday, another village visit... and Monday and Tuesday are Zanzibar. We laid it all out tonight and realized how quickly the rest of the trip is going to go. Overall, everyone's feeling pretty good and we're all having a great time.

Until later...