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