Less than 24 hours

In less than 24 hours I will become an official Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV). For as long as I can remember, becoming an official PCV seemed like such a task, a lot of work; but, I've finished my training, and am finally getting sworn in. Tomorrow (Wednesday December 14th, 2011), I will have jumped a small hurdle of my dream.

Training was intense. Difficult at times, but rewarding all the same. I am now a proud Intermediate-High speaker of Kiswahili, and, if I can toot my own horn for a minute, passed my final written Language Exam with flying colors :) Homestay was definitely an experience. I didn't realize how attached I had become to my mama and sisters until I had to say goodbye to them... She warmed up my bucket bath shower for me every morning, made me chai and breakfast each morning, and helped show me how Tanzanian's wash clothes correctly. There is definitely an art to washing that red dirt out of each article of clothing. She taught me how to cook, clean a Tanzanian house, and corrected my Kiswahili when I would screw it up. I appreciated my Mama Zubeda, along with my sisters, and wouldn't be here without their help and patience.

Thursday all 41 of us Volunteers will leave for our respective sites. Due to confidentiality, I can only share that I will be in Mtwara region, in what current PCV's call "the dirty south". I can only imagine it got it's name because it's a sauna down there on the coast, but I can't complain, because my fingers could use a break from the cold Wisco winters for 2 years. I am going to be living near the Makonde Tribe, which is one of Tanzania's largest ethnic tribes, they migrated from Mozambique. Apparently from my site, I can see into the Ruvuma River Valley, and into Mozambique. I will share more when I actually arrive on Friday!

Ok, I've got emails to write! Everyone take care, I'm loving it here :)

Visit to Tanga

So, this is my first time to the Indian Ocean! I didn't spend much time there yet, bc I wanted to update all ya'll first. I will venture down there in a bit. So far Pre-service Training (PST) has been intense, just like everyone had warned us. But, intense doesn't mean bad, it just means we're busy. Which for those of you who know me, I love being busy. So, this is great! Turns out learning Kiswahili isn't as difficult as I thought it was going to be, however, we have our first oral exam in a few weeks and I hope I'm saying the same thing.

Life in Tanzania is definitely different, especially living with a homestay family. I live in the village of Kibaoni Chemka with my mama, 11 year old little sister and 25 year old sister. The 25 year old is so great and helpful! She's just living with us for a bit, bc she lives in Dar es Salaam, but I hope she doesn't leave for a while yet, bc she's helped me to understand much of the language and culture. The Tanzanian's sure do love their greetings! Everywhere you go someone WILL talk to you. Which was hard to get used to for an American who's used to keeping to herself, but now it's second nature. Everyone wants to know how you woke up, how you slept, how are you this morning, how is your home? It's just a polite way of saying hi.

It hits me every other day or so that I'm actually here, living the life of a Peace Corps Trainee. I think to myself, "I'm FINALLY in Africa!" It's a wonderful feeling. Especially when I'm walking to class and can see the Umsambara Mountains in the distance. Or when I come home and am able to communicate with minimal language with my mama and sisters. It really is a fantastic feeling.

I'm not doing a very good job of updating you on the things I've been doing, but I have limited time here at the internet cafe. Our group of trainees is going to Pangani for a semi-vacation the Peace Corps allows us to go on so we stay somewhat sane :) They apparently have American food, kayaking, wireless internet, AND it's on the Indian Ocean. Can't complain much about that! So, hopefully I will be able to write again next weekend. Everyone take care!

Hujambo?!

Well! I finally made it to Tanzania! So far it has been a great experience. Peace Corps really does a wonderful job of easing you into the culture and language. Today we had our first language lesson. I now know how to (kind of) greet people in Kiswahili! There are two current Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) here helping train us and they're both from Wisconsin! Woot! They've taking a liking to me, with my nickname B'gosh :)


We're living dorm style here so far. A girl Steph and I have a pretty sweet deal. Our two rooms are connected to a living area, kind of a small apartment with two little bathrooms. But, it's not all luxurious, because I think I'm the only one in my group without a fan. We do have air, but it rarely works.

I will try to update more on Monday. Tuesday we will travel to Muheza where we are assigned our Homestay families where we will live for the next two months. Apparently there are a majority Muslim, which will be interesting.

I'm looking forward to learning the language and culture. I'm excited.

Kwa heri! (goodbye)!

I should be sleeping.

The time has finally come. I can't believe I'm leaving tomorrow, actually in about 6 hours. My last weekend home was bittersweet in a way. I hung out with family and I had one of the best times I've had in a while. But, then the goodbyes came, and that was difficult. I had to say goodbye to my twin sister, best friend. No words...

But! I am looking forward to the adventure I'll make sure I have. I've been talking about this for long enough, it's about time I go out and make it a reality.

Wish me luck!

Take care everyone,

Jen