Thought I’d introduce this post with a lyric from the song I’m currently listening to.
Today is July 11th and I’ve been in Tanzania for almost a month now, and have less than a month left here. I can definitely say that this is a summer filled with unique experiences. I had my first moment of genuine frustration while teaching this past week. I was teaching the pros and cons of the tourism industry in Arusha and the children just weren’t getting it. The final step was for the kids to find a solution to common problems that occur from tourists, but their brains just weren’t turned on. The lesson eventually ended and not all of my students had finished projects. I left the classroom upset, but after calming down I learned that sometimes you can only hope for some kids to understand bits and pieces and not always the big picture (at least not in one 40 minute, quick crash course). I have had great successes, but its sad that you normally always focus on the moments of failure.
In other new my mom and sister come on Saturday. I’m really excited about showing them around Arusha.
I only have two more nights at my homestay. It has been a wonderful experience and I’m really sad to be leaving them.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Braces
Today while teaching one of the Tanzanian teachers came up to one of my students are started yelling at her to get something out of her mouth. She quickly became tight lipped and didn’t respond to him. I asked her to open her mouth for me and realized that she had braces. I had to explain to the teacher what they were for and she wasn’t misbehaving. He told me he had never seen them before.
Charles and Kennedy
My two host brothers could not be nicer. I am especially fond of Charles because he always wants to do everything with me, which is adorable. So far on my computer we have watched Twilight twice (by the way bonus points for anyone who can find out if Eclipse is somewhere in Arusha, Tanzania), Harry Potter, the cartoon Presto, The Day the World Stood Still, and Home Alone. They love watching movies on my computer. When I get home from teaching/soccer they always want to kick the ball around which I love.
End of the Cup
Once the United States was defeated I joined the large Ghana bandwagon. I thought this was fitting since I am in Africa after all and they beat us. If you are reading this and haven’t watched the highlights of the last Ghana game, you must! By far the most exciting and crazy soccer game I have ever seen. After the teams loss, I could hear screaming and horns blowing (in sadness obviously) for about an hour after the game. Sleep was little.
I’m pretty indifferent about who wins between Spain and the Netherlands. Win-win?
I’m pretty indifferent about who wins between Spain and the Netherlands. Win-win?
Homestay First Impressions/Communion
The day we started our homestay we all anxiously waited at our apartments for our homestay family to come pick us up. I was quickly informed that my host parents would not be picking me up because their sons Charles (9) and Kenedy (12) were having their first communion and a party to follow. Instead I was picked up by my host family’s “house girl.” The best way to describe a house girl is a live in maid and nanny and someone who basically takes care of all house chores. Some families treat house girls as if they are an extra member of the family, however some treat them as if they are much lower than them. For example, Cameron’s “house workers” live in a shack behind the house.
After quickly dropping off the stuff at my house, I was quick driven to the where the first communion party was being held. I knew the moment that I could hear loud music thumping from speakers that I was in for a surprise. I thought I was attending a wedding. The huge room was covered in pink and white and a large number of tables and chairs were set up. At the entrance was an open bar, this was my first realization that my family had put a lot of money into this event. When we sat down at our table I met a 16-year-old girl named Lisa who was a close family friend of my new host family. She explained to us that first communion is treated closely in the same fashion as weddings. That explained a lot. The party consisted of dancing present giving lines, champagne popping, about a million toasts, and one of the largest buffets of food I’ve ever seen. The party went from 3-8:30 at night. At the end of it all I was quickly whisked away by Nate’s family because my family had to stay behind to do clean up. It wasn’t until about 10:30 that night that I finally met my exhausted host parents. They really couldn’t be nicer. I knew everyone wanted to crash in their beds, so we all passed out shortly after.
After quickly dropping off the stuff at my house, I was quick driven to the where the first communion party was being held. I knew the moment that I could hear loud music thumping from speakers that I was in for a surprise. I thought I was attending a wedding. The huge room was covered in pink and white and a large number of tables and chairs were set up. At the entrance was an open bar, this was my first realization that my family had put a lot of money into this event. When we sat down at our table I met a 16-year-old girl named Lisa who was a close family friend of my new host family. She explained to us that first communion is treated closely in the same fashion as weddings. That explained a lot. The party consisted of dancing present giving lines, champagne popping, about a million toasts, and one of the largest buffets of food I’ve ever seen. The party went from 3-8:30 at night. At the end of it all I was quickly whisked away by Nate’s family because my family had to stay behind to do clean up. It wasn’t until about 10:30 that night that I finally met my exhausted host parents. They really couldn’t be nicer. I knew everyone wanted to crash in their beds, so we all passed out shortly after.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
2-1
Last night, as most of you already know the US team lost to Ghana in extra time. I had a hard time falling asleep because horns, chanting and singing went on late into the night.
Had a great yoga session with Katie. Was one of the first times I've been able to clear my head in the past week and a half. Beyond helpful. I can't wait to get back into a regular yoga schedule at home.
I leave for my homestay in three hours. Getting ready.
Had a great yoga session with Katie. Was one of the first times I've been able to clear my head in the past week and a half. Beyond helpful. I can't wait to get back into a regular yoga schedule at home.
I leave for my homestay in three hours. Getting ready.
Homestay Orientation
1. Receiving and giving things –use your right hand
2. When talking to an elderly person- don’t put your hands in your pockets
3. Don’t rest your legs on the chairs/tables which you are going to use
4. Don’t cross your legs in front of elders (especially girls)
5. Too short shorts in villages are not tolerable
6. Show respect to elders when greeting them
7. Showing love and affection in public is not accepted in our culture. Hugging is ok
8. Yelling to call someone’s attention is impolite, just clap your hands
9. Sniffing food is not good, very impolite
10. Try to avoid giving money to children, it is strongly discouraged
11. Bedroom is a private place
12. Knock before entering in a house and greet
13. Be careful of the homeless people
14. If you go to someone’s house and you’re offered a seat-please do not reject it. Even if you are in a hurry, sit for a few minutes, it is considered a blessing to the family
Tomorrow we start our home-stay. I will last for two weeks. I don’t think I’m going to have any internet, so expect a big update around July 10th.
2. When talking to an elderly person- don’t put your hands in your pockets
3. Don’t rest your legs on the chairs/tables which you are going to use
4. Don’t cross your legs in front of elders (especially girls)
5. Too short shorts in villages are not tolerable
6. Show respect to elders when greeting them
7. Showing love and affection in public is not accepted in our culture. Hugging is ok
8. Yelling to call someone’s attention is impolite, just clap your hands
9. Sniffing food is not good, very impolite
10. Try to avoid giving money to children, it is strongly discouraged
11. Bedroom is a private place
12. Knock before entering in a house and greet
13. Be careful of the homeless people
14. If you go to someone’s house and you’re offered a seat-please do not reject it. Even if you are in a hurry, sit for a few minutes, it is considered a blessing to the family
Tomorrow we start our home-stay. I will last for two weeks. I don’t think I’m going to have any internet, so expect a big update around July 10th.
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