As I haven't updated all week and I've done quite a few new and notable things - this post will be rather long.

Happy Canada Day!

I think it's funny that I spent four hours of my Canada Day trying to become a Tanzanian Resident - but of course, in true African style, they said the processing was not done and I am to return to Immigration on Monday. (Of course, this is the 4th time they have said this).

In the evening, I went to this 'school' that one of my friends volunteers at. It was really awesome - it is in the work yard (basically an open field) where the woodcarvers for souvenirs work. There is really nobody running this makeshift 'school', but it is open for anyone who wants to improve their reading, writing, and English skills. Basically, about 40 adults (mostly sweet elderly men) work all day at their jobs, and then travel an hour to this 'school' for an hour of lessons from random volunteers (and I really do mean random), and then travel an hour to get back home. The classes run Monday through Friday, but I think I'll likely make this my Friday night activity. The 'students' all chip in whatever change they can and have used it to purchase some blackboards, books, pens, and chalk. It was really quite beautiful, all of these people just gather together to learn in their precious free time, and there are great cross-cultural friendships. I taught writing, so it was basic motions of how to write letters and the sounds that they make. I am completely taken away by their devotion to learning, and how immensely grateful they were for our help. After the school, I went with a big group of Princeton students to an Indian Bingo hall - played and ate dinner. It was pretty strange, but really fun, and really African.

Today I spent my first morning as a volunteer with the Dar Dar Clinic's Saturday Chilrens Club. (I spent 2 hours walking around lost first). I will be doing this every weekend for the rest of my stay, as it was really amazing. It is a club for children who are suffering from HIV/AIDS, most of whom were born with it and know nothing other. Despite the blisters and sores that they had from their illness, these children were like any other and really fun, and extremely energetic. We played hours of tag, and I will helping to plan lessons and activities for them for every Saturday, so I expect I'll get to know all of the children well.

Looking back at this week, my Wednesday was also quite eventful. We took Jane's black and white cat, Bugs, to the vet for his Rabies and Heartworm shots. It was quite interesting, since Tanzanians don't understand the concept of befriending animals that you don't have a use for, and they especially don't understand why anybody would allow a cat to stay in their house. So, after an intense fight involving scratches, we got Bugs into his carrier, and called a taxi. When we told the taxi driver we had a cat with us in the carrier, he immediately tried to get us to put it in the trunk. We weren't fond of that idea, so Bugs rode first class (in the backseat with me). The vet was actually quite Westernized - I think it is mainly used by expats here. Everything went really smoothly, except we got a lot of strange stares for carrying the cat around in a carrier… even more than we usually do for having white skin.

Wednesday evening, I went to try to find a choral group called Dar Choral Society that I had contacted. The venue that they use for rehearsals is really only used by white people (wazungu), and so when I tried to ask Tanzanians how to get there once I got to the right area, none of them had heard of it. I kept asking where "Little Theatre" is, and nobody had heard of it, until somebody finally showed me where to go, and I ended up at "St. Peter's" church. I understand how they heard me incorrectly since my Swahili has such a thick English accent. It started to get dark and I finally gave up. I have the directions sorted out now, so I should be able to get there without trouble next week and get back into singing.

I also went to a Karaoke night this week, which was interesting. I was really excited to see what African karaoke was like, but it turned out to be mostly all wazungu (white people). I understand that it is nice to be able to speak English and be around people of the same culture, but I get a sick feeling in my stomach when we are in Tanzania and there are events that do not allow Tanzanians to take part.

This week I will be traveling North to Moshi from the 8th to the 12th to take part in some big Roots & Shoots events, and when I get back, Jane will be here! She is traveling so much that we will only spend 4 nights in the house together, but I'm still extremely excited!

Much love to everyone and thank you for commenting on my blog. I love knowing that you're thinking about me all the way over here, and I am truly blessed to have all of your prayers and support. I think of you all often!

P.S. While I was writing this on the balcony, somebody yelled hello at me - I looked up and a man that works on the property was climbing a palm tree in front of me to hit down the coconuts. I took a picture of him because it was CRAZY (look closely in the pic to see him). He was excited to see a picture of himself and he shared some coconut milk with me.