May 21

Lots of news, lots of news. We've been in Moshi for a few days now and we're finally starting to get the hang of it. The largest problem for me has been adapting to local time. Apparently, it isn't rude to be two hours late to something, it's pretty much the norm. So when you're told that your ride will pick you up at 8:00 am, that certainly means 8:30 if not later. Or if the driver is drinking konyagi (local gin, terrible) while driving 50km an hour over dirt roads, don't worry, it's okay. Hakuna matata.
During the days, the group has been volunteering at a variety of sites, nearly all of them focused on teaching. I've spent a few days working at KYGN, a girls-only school. I would sit in the back of a pick-up and ride through the sugar cane fields and shanty towns on the edge of Moshi until reaching this leaning brick building, in which there is three classrooms for sixty girls. Unfortunately, I was given the task of teaching the 5-7 year olds. Can you imagine how difficult it is as a substitute teacher to come in and teach a class of 20 girls how to distinguish between different shapes and colors? Then add in the fact that they speak no English (besides yelling "teacha!" every minute) and I speak no Swahili. Although I did learn how to say stop (acha), no (hapana), and say sorry (ongea pole), all vital.
After two days of this, I threw up my arms in defeat. While I would love to continue working at KYGN, it's seems impossible to accomplish anything without a grasp of the language. My time there did have some bright moments though. When teaching one of the older girls, she guessed my age to be 40. Apparently that's a compliment in Tanzania?... And, when the younger girls were acting up, one of the little ones ran outside and broke off a big stick for me, so I could hit those that were misbehaving. I thought it was touching.
Undoubtably, the best part about KYGN is the ride in the morning. You go bombing down these pot-holed roads through the sugar cane fields, and Kili is right behind you, with huge coffee and banana plantations at the feet of the other mountains. It looks a lot like Costa Rica then, very eery.
I volunteered today at TCC, a school/orphanage. I worked with the same age group as KYGN, but these kids were much better behaved and spoke some English. Heaps of fun, TCC was. It's in the same region as the KYGN school, but you have to walk. An exhausting walk, let me tell you. But pretty. Mostly exhausting though.

I've taken ton of what I think to believe to be great photos, but I can't for the life of me figure out how to get my pictures off the computer. Stupid Windows, making everything complicated.
Once I get those up, I'll be able to give a much better picture (dur) of Moshi and what we're doing here. Cross your fingers, it should be soon!

Word for the wise: When walking downtown Moshi, it's inevitable that you will be swarmed by men peddling everything from paintings to t-shirts. Saying no does not work. Nor does walking away. The most effective deterrent to these guys I've found, is to speak Spanish and act completely lost. It's an instant classic.