As you already know, I arrived yesterday to Tanzania. I am awaiting the arrival of Vanessa today and will go with Joseph to receive her from the airport.
There are so many things that I am remembering from my first travels to Africa in the country of Uganda. Things are very similar here in Northern Tanzania. While in Uganda, Lynn took me to visit her host family. (You may recall the name Momma Diana). Momma Diana gave me a goat skinned drum and I was told that with the drum I would be able to mobilize people to come to Africa just like Lynn mobilized me (thanks Lynn). That drum is sitting in our house now and I am back and this time Vanessa is coming to Africa. She might have motivated me to come and take on the challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, but she is coming to Africa.
I am staying at the Mbahe cottages and farm with the Chagga People. The Chagga is the local tribe.
Today has been very exciting! In the morning they check your vitals (blood pressure, oxygen, heart rate, tidal rhythm-aka how many breaths you take in a minute, etc.); in fact every morning and evening they will check our vitals. Fernando (the chef) made breakfast and after breakfast Ayume took me for a long walk through the village. We visited the school and I got to meet the teachers there and greet the students.
My new words (and thank you Jamillah for the jumpstart on Swahili) are: Habari yako or Shikammo - how are you, Mizuri or Marahaba - I am fine or good. Dada is sister and kaka is brother (sorry Sean, lol).
Well lunch is almost ready, so I will post again later in the evening. I have some great pictures from the walk today.
Kel
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
