(Again, I am at an internet cafe and so the picture is not my own, I will upload pictures when I am back in Dar es Salaam).

Afternoon!

Yesterday after town with Mathilde I wrote some postcards which I have just put in the post. For dinner it was spaghetti, eugh, I ate a small bit, but ended up eating another bar. After dinner all the dadas went to Shake Boom Boom for a few drinks and a dance. Although, once I saw the africans dancing, I shyed away. Their dancing is insane! Females and Males mind. I'm unsure if I have already said, but last Friday when Arnold Rich and I went out in Dar, two African girls were trying to teach me how to 'twerk' and were trying to teach Rich how to dance. It was so funny! I cannot dance at the best of times, but put me next to an African and it's even worse!

We had a relatively early night, as I was on morning shift and Andrea and Vale were going to Arusha early this morning. Drinks are so cheap here it's ridiculous!

This morning I woke up at 7:15am and headed to the orphanage at 7:30am. When I arrived Mama Anna and the children were still sleeping. I started by tidying the office. Once Mama Anna was awake she started cooking breakfast for the children. There was no water this morning at the orphanage, so I could not wash the dishes after breakfast. Instead, I started sweeping the garden with an African brush, weird thing, and not good for the back. Mama Anna ended up taking the brush off of me, and when I spoke to the dadas at lunchtime they said it was because I wasn't brushing the African way and Mama Anna doesn't like it. Strange. I just thought she'd rather me do it anyway than not at all, but clearly not.

Mama Anna cleaned the floors this morning, which apparently is one of her chores, so I didn't mind not cleaning the floors. I taught the children some basic english words and went through the english alphabet with them. They thoroughly enjoyed it. We then went to do the hokey cokey in the garden followed by head, shoulders, knees and toes and duck, duck, goose. It's so warming to see them smile and laugh! Definitely makes it all worthwhile. The children love to play the same game over and over again, they don't seem to get bored. Mary and Prescilla love to play with my hair and are forever putting up and taking it down. I didn't mind until Prescilla put my hair in to a massive knot this morning, not only did it hurt rather a lot, it also took a long time to get out!

Lunch was cooked by Kabalo today, and it was definitely the best meal I have had since I arrived! He did a decent amount of vegetables, not just three or four pieces of pepper like Mama Queenie does, and a decent sized portion of rice, whereas Mama Queenie normally fills the whole plate! I am much perkier this afternoon after having a relatively nice meal.

I am in town with Leil and Delia. After the internet cafe we are going to go for a coffee then head back to the house. They are on evening shift tonight. The new dada has cancelled and so is no longer arriving today which means it is only Mathilde and I at the house this evening for dinner. It'll be fine though, Mathilde is lovely! Although sometimes she does talk a tad too much.

Tomorrow is my day off so I will be doing my washing in the morning in hope that it will be dry by the evening! It's a bit warmer this afternoon, I am actually able to walk in just a t-shirt, but I do have leggings on too! It's rather dusty here in Karatu, my feet are constantly dirty. I go home and wash them but it barely lasts. Especially when on foot is the only way of getting anywhere here.

Dad's just text me and informed me that is 32 degrees at home, either he is winding me up or it really is 32 degrees. If so, then I am rather jealous, I need some warmth to my bones, especially when I am getting barely any energy from food.

Hopefully will log on within the next few days and update the blog. If I manage to get WiFi I shall upload some photos, but that is unlikely until I land back in Dar next Thursday evening.

Badai, H x