3/18/18 This is a pretty important week for the volunteers here in Tanzania. It is the week where we get to learn where our  assigned site is located. We will be a this site for the next two years, so it is important to get something close to what you are looking for.  The Peace Corps has tried very hard to assign us to a place we want through numerous interviews and observations of our classroom performance.  Many volunteers have very important criteria such as climate and geography, I personally have requested a location with an active zahanati (dispensary), and a secondary school. It is important to me to go to a place where I can have the most impact.  So we will learn where it is on Thursday and leave for a week long visit on Saturday so I am not sure when I will be able to make my next post, but hopefully I will bring back plenty of pictures.

My post today is about my trip to the butcher shop. I promised Rehema that I would buy some pork (nguruwe) to celebrate the visit of Pascal's brother.  He is on a break from university where he is studying electrical engineering.  We have had some interesting conversations on a wide variety of topics, and he shared with me some local music that is called Bongo Flava.  Many young people are listening to it now.  I will try to upload the little video that shows the inside of our house, at the very end there are two five gallon jugs that are the filtering system that the Peace Corps gives every volunteer.

What can I say about the butcher shop, a very different experience here in Tanzania.  The first place is beef, the second is the pork.  The meat is out in the open air for an unknown amount of time, but the locals (and visitors) eat it without too much of a problem.  The meat is cut with an axe or a machete.  Pascal says that the meat is refrigerated each night, so with that promise, I'll let you know how the pork is.

The last photo is of a little guy who joined me in my bedroom.  I know they are friendly, but I didnt like how he was looking at me.

Sorry, not sure if the video made it or not.  Between this site being not too user friendly and the poor internet connection, this is pretty frustrating.  I don't think it will be getting better at the new site either.  I am learning though.

Talk to you in a while.
Brian

3/11/18 Going to the city this week. My host family finally decided to shut down their little shop (duka) today so we could go to the city of Morogoro for a little shopping.  There is only a few ways to get around in Tanzania.  The first picture is a Bidaji, it is a three wheeled little motorcar that is very similar to riding the bumper cars at the fair, although with a few less bumps. The Bidaji is a little more expensive then the Dalada in the second picture.  This is a van that can fit quite a remarkable number of passengers.  It is not uncommon for people and children to actually be squashed in front and all around you (next picture).  All of that for the price of 400TSH which might sound like a lot but is actually abour 25 cents.

So Morogoro is a busy city with people walking, buying, and vehicles whooshing bye.  You really have to keep your eyes open at all times. We went to the supermarket for a few items (I'm cooking spaghetti tonight).  In the supermarkets there is no bartering, but with all of the venders on the sidewalks it is open season.  I noticed that the prices that were given to Rehema for food were good prices so I dont think that applies to the fresh veggies, but it certainly applies to the shirt I bought for 10,000TSH (about $4 or $5).  I also bought a nice pineapple(nanasi) that we will be eating later.

Well, it's time to go whip up some good old spaghetti.  I think they are really looking forward to it.  I hope the sauce I bought is good because it almost cost as much as the shirt.

Kwa heri.
Brian

3/4/18 This weeks post is going to be about a trip we made to a zahanati (medical dispensary) similar to the ones we will be assigned to in about two months.  In Tanzania the rural population is served with these small dispensaries that might or might not have a doctor, some nurses and community health volunteers.  This one was reached after a pretty tenuous drive up the side of a mountain.  It is in a beautiful valley and has both a nurse and a doctor.  The first photo is of the building itself, the second is the maternity ward (with one bed) and then third is the emergency room with two beds. I also put a photo of the stock room which is well furnished with malaria and HIV medicine, as well as other essential supplies.The doctor gave us a tour and was quite proud of her little facility, and both her and the nurse were happy with their work.

The rainy season has started here.  I'd like to say that it has brought the temperature down, but that wouldn't be accurate.  It has gotten a little more humid though.  I see in the news that the northeast has gotten another big snowstorm, I wish I could get just a little piece of it.  The daily classroom instruction on swahili, local customs, and health continue, and we have our first recorded exam tomorrow. We will see how it goes.  My host family continues to be very helpful and friendly and I will miss them when I move on to my assigned site in mid April.

Kwa Heri, Brian