First Day with Kiretono!
July 5th, 2017
(Written Evening of July 5th)
Compared to the rest of the group and the country, I got a late start at 0630. We went for a walk around the property and discovered a shed. (The yard is not that big, but it had been too dark the night before to see it.) Turns out there's a cow, Mary Beth, and her calf, Maribel, living in our yard! We enjoyed our tea and breakfast before our very full day began. Talemwa, the English tutor for the Kiretono girls, was kind enough to walk us to the market for our lunch supplies. He works from 5 to 8 pm, so he was sweet enough to give up his morning off to help us. At his brisk pace it was a thirty minute walk.
The walk to the market was one of the most memorable things we did. :) Most people were friendly and waving. I got to practice my kiswahili a few times. It was just good to see so many people.
(I don't have any pictures from the walk because I was trying to interact and take it all in.)
I know this trip and everything is about helping the schools and understanding the culture, but I have noticed some changes in myself. I have the habit of constantly looking at my feet when I walk, but today (in Tanzania of all places) I challenged myself to look up. It didn't matter how unsure I was of my footing, if I was staring at my feet I was missing everything. I'm also realizing how much I love all of this, and I'm not sure what my future looks like, but I'm feel more comfortable with this place and with myself as the days progress.
We told Talemwa we needed bread, bananas, peanut butter and some vegetables, so he took us to the produce market and a supermarket. If we'd gone by ourselves there's no way we would have made it through that maze!
(Written Evening of July 5th)
Compared to the rest of the group and the country, I got a late start at 0630. We went for a walk around the property and discovered a shed. (The yard is not that big, but it had been too dark the night before to see it.) Turns out there's a cow, Mary Beth, and her calf, Maribel, living in our yard! We enjoyed our tea and breakfast before our very full day began. Talemwa, the English tutor for the Kiretono girls, was kind enough to walk us to the market for our lunch supplies. He works from 5 to 8 pm, so he was sweet enough to give up his morning off to help us. At his brisk pace it was a thirty minute walk.
The walk to the market was one of the most memorable things we did. :) Most people were friendly and waving. I got to practice my kiswahili a few times. It was just good to see so many people.
(I don't have any pictures from the walk because I was trying to interact and take it all in.)
I know this trip and everything is about helping the schools and understanding the culture, but I have noticed some changes in myself. I have the habit of constantly looking at my feet when I walk, but today (in Tanzania of all places) I challenged myself to look up. It didn't matter how unsure I was of my footing, if I was staring at my feet I was missing everything. I'm also realizing how much I love all of this, and I'm not sure what my future looks like, but I'm feel more comfortable with this place and with myself as the days progress.
We told Talemwa we needed bread, bananas, peanut butter and some vegetables, so he took us to the produce market and a supermarket. If we'd gone by ourselves there's no way we would have made it through that maze!
Everyone charged us the "Mzungu" (white people) prices, even though Talemwa was bartering for us. It wasn't rude; it's just how they make their livings. We got our things and headed back to Kiretono. The walk back was just as enjoyable. The people are so lovely even when my kiswahili is laughable. The first time I mustered up my courage to say something, I asked a group of ladies, "Habari?" which means something like, "How's your news?" or "How are you?" One of them responded with, "Nzuri," which means good, followed by some kiswahili I didn't understand and some laughter. Talemwa was laughing too, so I asked him what was so funny. She had said something along the lines of, "Good but I'd be better if you came and bought our sheets." They were just teasing me so I just laughed it off. I probably did sound very American. ;)
Along the road we saw two buildings with some beautiful paintings on them. We stopped to take some pictures when four ladies came out and explained that they had a little museum to preserve the Iraqw culture. We got a quick tour of the houses and the cooking equipment. They explained how the man has his own home and bed while the woman sleeps in a separate building with the children where she can also do the cooking. It was really nice and the ladies were very kind to let us into their world.
We made it back to Kiretono for a 15 minute break before we headed up to visit the primary and secondary schools up the hill, but those stories are worth an entry all their own. :D
Much love,
Kami
