All Is Well

Tanzania Blog Post #1 – Written Sunday, July 3, 2011

We were awoken from our first night in the hotel flamingo by multiple roosters at five in morning.  From the hotel we went to the restaurant Saracao for breakfast and met up with a couple of students from the Orkeeswa school and were given the opportunity to ask questions and reflect upon the differences of our two cultures.  After lunch we set out and were given a tour around Monduli by the Orkeeswa students.

Johann

After an exhausting couple days of travel, we were greeted by a few Orkeeswa students at the airport for another long drive to The Flamingo. It certainly was no problem falling asleep for a wonderful night sleep. The tour this afternoon around Monduli and the market was an amazing sight—I’m sure the first of many.

Olivia

After a successful night of sleep, despite a rooster and a singing man outside our window at early hours of the morning, it has been an exciting first day in Monduli. Walking around with two Orkeeswa students was a great way to see and understand the different parts of town. It’s been an eventful few days and I’m thrilled to be here experience and learn about this new culture with a great group of kids.

Madeleine

It was a pretty long airplane ride and after about 36 hours traveling, we were pumped to arrive in Tanzania. We were greeted by some Orkeeswa students and made our long travel to the hotel. We got to have a tour around the market with a few Orkeeswa girls and I made some new friends. It was awesome and I can’t wait to start working on the school.

Ihu

After the day of travel and a good night’s sleep, we went to breakfast where we met three Orkeeswa students who told us some of the things about the town and the school. Afterwards, we had some group orientation before heading to lunch. We were greeted by several students, who greeted us and then jumped out of their seats to greet the adults who were here last year, most of all Mr. Beams. After lunch we were split into groups of two and then led around the town by two Orkeeswa students. With the day drawing to a close, I’m really excited to start work tomorrow and to continue building relationships with the students I met today.

Austin

        

         After many hours of travelling we have finally arrived in Tanzania! We spent the day doing introductions, getting used to the town and taking a walk around the market in Monduli. It’s really beautiful here and you can see mountains and the plains from where our town is! Tomorrow we head out for the school and I can’t wait! I’ve already made friends with students and spent some time with some village children! A great start to what’s going to be a great trip!

Trevor

        

         Today we were introduced to Monduli after arriving late yesterday night in Tanzania.  Some of the children who go to the Orkeeswa school led us around the town and taught us about their culture, language, and community.  They were so friendly and inviting and showed me how to address the different people we encountered.  The most surprising thing that happened to me was that one of the girls I was with suddenly reached down and took my hand.  At first I thought she wanted to take me somewhere or show me something but instead we stayed like that for the rest of the walk.  I am so excited to keep learning about the Masai and everything else here.

Charlotte

         It is such fun to see the faces of our kids as they take in the new sights, sounds, and smells of Tanzania for the first time.  The timing of our arrival to Monduli worked beautifully: after arriving fairly late last night (11:00ish), we slept in this morning, had a 9:30 breakfast, and after a late lunch met up with a bunch of Orkeeswa students to walk around town.  Sunday is the big weekly market day here – so spread out on the ground in a big public square were piles of local foods (bananas, potatoes, tomatoes, beans, avocadoes) and all kinds of clothes, fabric, kitchenwares, some handmade Maasai beaded jewelry, sandals, etc. – a real feast for the eyes.  We are excited about heading up to Orkeeswa  tomorrow morning – about a 5-mile car ride up into the hills.  What a wonderful group of young people we have on this trip this year.  Thank you, fellow parents, for sharing your terrific children with us. – Peter Fry