5/25/18 Welcome to my next installment of life in Tanzania. It has been over a month that we have been at our sites. The process of adapting to life here continues.  I am continuing my tutoring lessons in Swahili, meeting new people, and trying to learn how to cook this type of food. I went from a high protein diet with minimal exercise, to a low protein diet with lots of exercise. The quest to find the calories I need is never ending, but getting easier.  I have dropped thirty pounds since my arrival in February.  I will say that my weight has stabilized and I have not gone down any in a couple of weeks, so don't worry, I've got it under control. I dropped 20 pounds the last two summers I went to summer camp so it's not too unusual, but I have to say 30 is my limit.  The photo is me in my home with a pair of pants that a few months ago fit nicely. I had to buy a whole new wardrobe.
My location here is pretty secluded.  In order to get large supplies I need to go to my "banking town" Shinyanga.  I am going to try and make the trip a couple of times a month.  The first photo is how we travel to town, one bus in, one bus back.  You miss it, you spend the night in town.  If you are going to do this in one day then you have three hours to run around and get everything done in time.  The next photo is a city shot with Peter in it.  Peter has been assisting me with pretty much anything I need. and putting me in touch with the right people.  He has been invaluable to me to this point, and will probably continue this way throughout my time here. I am much appreciative of his efforts and the efforts of everyone who provide me with guidance and support. This would not be possible without their help. The next photo is from the top of a building that has a restaurant on the top floor.  I have to say that it was the best tasting fish fingers and rum and coke that I have had in an awfully long time.
Well tonight it is spaghetti, and tomorrow I'm going to peddle my little bike to a local market that I have just recently heard about.  Looking forward to both events. And if you are wondering if I am actually doing any work yet, I'll save my house to house survey of my village for the next blog.  Until then, Kwa heri.

5/8/18 Well a few weeks into the new site, and boy has the learning curve been massive.  First off, I used to think I could cook.  Maybe in America, but with Tanzanian food I am a novice.  Trying hard to expand my knowledge of beans and rice, but it is a real challenge.  Second off, I didn't fully realize how well off we have it in America.  In Tanzania everything is a challenge: cleaning, cooking, fetching buckets of water, boiling water, washing clothes by hand, wow.  It actually takes a lot of forethought and effort to get it all done.  I used to think I was in decent shape, but doing this stuff everyday is kicking my butt.  Western soft I guess.  Third, when you are walking in the dark and hear what sounds like a horse running toward you, watch out, it might be a hyena.  Eerie feeling seeing one of those run by you just at the edge of your flashlight beam.
The first photo is Stanislaus and his family.  He is a retired teacher and my Swahili tutor.  When we agreed to tutoring he had just one request of me: speak English slowly.  I made the same request of him for Swahili - we talk very slowly, but it's coming along.
The second photo is of a community gathering with a group of volunteers that I have joined. The topic of the gathering is the prevention of violence against women and children (The photo is actually of us dancing before the meeting began). The community participants debated back and forth on things like women's rights, the paying of a bride price, and discipline for children.  It actually got pretty heated, and most of the men had a different perspective then the women, but at least they were talking about it.  I actually got a chance to address the crowd and talked about the cycle of violence caused by an abused child growing up to be an abuser, and the courage that it takes for men to break the cycle.  It was well received for the most part.  The debate was followed by a movie projected on a sheet on the wall.  The movie was about the effect that these cultural beliefs have upon an African woman and her family. It was actually very moving, and there must have been over a hundred villagers crowded around to watch it.  Luckily it had English subtitles. Well that's it for now.  Hope everyone is doing well back home, til next time!
Brian