6/2/2007

Hey Everyone!

Just wanted to say a quick hello from Arusha, Tanzania. I am sitting at an internet cafe, taking a break from a hectic walk around town. Its very hectic being white and walking around because everyone wants to sell you something! Its also fun constantly dodging the crazy cars!

I am all settled into my homestay which has an amazing view. We overlook Lake Momella, which is part of Arusha National Park, and the other day we saw 2 giraffes across the lake! It was crazy! There are two little boys and 2 or 3 girls who also leave at the house, I say 2 or 3 because its hard to tell who actually belongs at the house! But the kids are all cute and the older ones know a bit of English. I am living with an ASU student and a Tanzania teaching partner so its nice to have them both. Simon, the teaching partner is obviously very appreciated, as he knows the language!

I am having a good time and am looking forward to teaching. These last two weeks of training have been L O N G and its been a lot of getting used to but everyone is really nice and I feel more comfortable now. There are many things from the States that I miss a lot, for example, running water and electricity, two things the villages lack! But its okay, because on the weekends we are able to come to the city and take really showers, even though last night where we were staying lost all power! Oh Africa!

Its an adventure though and I'm taking lots of pictures so I will have many stories!

I hope everyone is doing well and I am able to check my email once a week, or I will try at least!

See ya!

Love,

Elise

6/23/2007

Greetings from Tanzania!

Sorry I have not written for a couple weeks, using the computer is a bit of a production here and always involves a long line of American's eager to check Facebook! ,

Last weekend I was on a safari and it was awesome! We went to Lake Menyara and Ngorogoro Crater, it was just like the Discovery Channel. All the voluteers went and it was about three hours away from our village. We had running water and electricity at the camp site, what a treat! ,

This week, I had a really good time teaching. We had four different community teachings in addition to our school teachings so we were really busy running all around our village. Things are moving right along, I really enjoy teaching the secondary students. They are old enough to get what we are talking about and always have really interesting questions. In a couple weeks we have a free testing day in our village, hopefully a lot of people will turn up! Then we have a big community day where we have more free testing, speakers, teaching and the kids from our schools are going to help! ,

Oh, I made a new little friend this weekend, his name is Simba and he is a puppy that just appeared at my homestay. At first I thought he was a gross little puppy but then I realized he was just dirty, so we gave him a bath! Our family thought we were crazy because we were washing the dog and my mission now is to find some flea bath while I'm in Arusha this weekend! The good thing is, the fleas don't seem to like me nearly as much as they like Simba! ,

Well not much else to report this week! Hope everyone is having a good summer! ,

Love,

Elise