"Goodbye Goodbye Goodbye"

Today, we had a day full of Irente Adventures!!!!

Most of us started our day with with a warm bucket shower at the Tumaini Hostel (YAH FOR WARM WATER), while others were busy breaking beds ( ;) Kari... oops!). Then we headed out for the Irente Children's Home (Orphanage) where we were asked to join them for their morning prayer to listen to them sing and share their room updates. We were then invited in to play with the children. It was fun to see some of the same children from the previous year!

After play time, we headed in for Chai and Popcorn with the head of the school. They welcomed us with traditional song and dance. AJ was brave enough to join them for their last song!

It was then off to the Irente Rainbow School where we were greeted by many excited children. They were jumping on us, shaking hands, and exchanging Jambo's with all of them. Soon after our arrival the students were called in for porridge and bananas. We helped serve and then kids greatly enjoyed being filmed and having their pictures taken. They are mesmerized by the cameras and Rusty's video camera! The students ranged from 2 and 1/2 to 15 years old. After morning porridge we played with the students, handed out balls we had brought, and tossed Pipi (candy) to the children. Some of us were practically mauled by the young ones who were eager for candy. The suckers were a hit! For us Wazungus (white people), the jewelery made by the students with Autism and intellectual needs were a hit! We spent a few more minutes playing in the school yard and touring the Ng'ombe (cow) and Kuku (chicken) houses before saying our goodbyes. During our goodbyes, Kari was bitten by one of the young boys at the school... not one of todays finer moments!

Next on our agenda was the Irente School for the Blind! This was a quick stop but a memorable one! First, we were greeted by a young man (16 years old) who was born normal, but burned after falling into a fire when he was 4. He was extremly welcoming and invited us into the school. Before heading out for a tour we were serenaded with a Swahili and English verse of "Jesus Loves Me." It was one of the most touching moments thus far! The 9 of us were then taken on a tour of the school, including the dorms, creative workshops, and braille classrooms.

Off for lunch we went! Making our way through the beautiful rainforests of the Usumbara Mountains, we landed ourselves at the Irente Biodiversity Farm! First stop on this stop was a fresh lunch equipped with homemade Rye Bread, Tilsit Cheese, Avocados, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Carrots, Green Peppers, Jams, Whipped Butter, Soft Spiced Cheese, Passionfruit Juice, Sweet Bananas, and Tanzanian Coffee. Talk about YUUUUMMM! Favorite meal this far! So yummy and among some of the most beautiful scenery! Next was a tour of the farm to show us the alien and indigenous trees around the mountains. Of course, at the end, we had to do some shopping :) before heading back to the Irente Children's Home!

The children were so excited to see that we were back to play. Only this time, we had plans to listen to the head Mama story tell some new stories that we plan to turn into "books and a bag" project to use with our University Students in the coming trips :) It was so touching to see the children sit around and listen to the Mama tell stories of Leopards and Chickens :) I even attempted reading our currently "book in a bag" book to one of the older children. They were extremely wound up after story time, so we ran around with them and sang songs before heading back to the hostel for the evening. One of the students continuously sang us a song... "Goodbye Goodbye Goodbye" waving his hands in the hair and displaying a HUGE smile on his face. It was hilarious! Videos to come!

Our evening is being spent eating dinner at the hostel and catching up with family via phone and internet!
  

ROAD TRIP!

Just a quick update before we head out for our 4 hour drive to Lushoto where we plan to spend the next 5 days teacher training at SEKCO University!

Yesterday we left the town of Arusha around 9 after a filling breakfast and headed for one of our most favorite locations, "Shanga Shangaa" workshop where we were able to see the new and exciting things being created by locals that are either dead, mute, or blind. They make everything from blown glass to paper necklaces right in front of your very eyes!

We enjoyed a wonderful lunch along the River Side and then managed to do some major damage in the gift shop :) It was then time to head for Moshi where we would be staying in a Lutheran Hostel for the evening. Of course, a bathroom stop was needed and we met the most beautiful little boy names Baraka who entertained us with his 2 year old dance moves. He was especially fond of Amber's Iphone! We continued on to Moshi and made it just in time to see the wedding party arrive at the Church Hall next door. It was equipped with Royal Blue Satin bridesmaids dresses and a full brass band!

Hungry by now, we made uploaded and made our way to the outdoor BBQ restaurant where we enjoyed some Maji (water) and soda (no beers this time since we are at a Lutheran establishment), however we did get to take park in some beef Somosas (one of our favorites from last year)... basically wontons with a chopped beef filling! We sat around the table for a while sharing stories and then decided to call it a night around 9pm.

This morning we are up early for the remainder of our journey to the Usumbara Mountains where we will visit the Rainbow School for special needs children, the Irente Orphanage, and the Irente School for the Blind. We cannot wait to get started with our students at SEKCO and we hope that you tune in to hear about what Lushoto has to offer!

Take care! Until the next internet cafe is found.... Kwheri! (Goodbye)

Safe travels!

After what seems like several days of travel we have finally stepped foot on Tanzanian soil for the third year in a row! Those who have visited before are more than excited to be back and the first timers are wide eyed at all of the new sites, smells, and sounds! Now let me explain how it is that we made it safely yet again.... The 9 of us (Marilyn, Valeria, Nicole (veterans) and Amber, AJ, Ellen, Kari, mindy, and Rusty) met on Wednesday July 26th at 11 am at the ever to busy ;) MCI airport for our first short flight to Dallas. After a short layover with Ben & Jerrys and some candy snacks we loaded the plane for our first 9 hour flight to London. Bring the Olympic season, we met many travelers headed to the games for various reasons. Most of us were seated near each other so it was nice to get to visit during the long flight. Marilyn got into a bit of an altercation with a gentelman wanting to switch seats with his wife. He was a total jerk throuout the flint and managed to wake her up mid sleep to use the restroom, stating "it would be routine, so get used to it!!" needless go say we were all ready to deboard and make our quick connection to Kenya! Some of us needed one final sip of Starbucks before boarding :) The next 9 hour flight proved to be a quick one since most of us spent the majority of the time snoozing! Landing at 9 pm we headed for the visa desk and baggages claim. I was longing to be horizontal at this stage of travel... Being this exhausted is not how I envisioned spending my 24th birthday!! We made our way to the Kenya Comfort Hotel and without much hassle were able to catch some zzz's before our 7:15am pick up! Day two.... Or three.... Or....??? At this point we had all lost track and had to remind each other what day it was. Back to the airport we went. We had several hours to kill before our final flight to Kilimonjaro Airport in Tanzania so we enjoyed some window shopping, African soap operas, and some cafe'. Before we knew it we were back on Tanzanian soil and ready to reunite with our favoritest tour guide Efream!!! I was especially excited to see Efream because I had a gift for him that I have been looking forward to giving him since we left last year! Also routinely we made it through customs and baggage claim in no time and were greeted by Efream's warm smile and embrace! Awww.... Back at last! Efream was sporting his USA K-state t-shirt I sent to him and his family months after our last visit. We loaded up all the luggage andnheaded out in two jeeps to the Impala hotel where we planned to stay the night before heading out to Moshi and Lushoto. After checking it, pulled Efream aside and presented him with the brand new netbook that we brought for him! His response was priceless "ohhhh I think I'm dead!!! Holy moly thank you sooo much!" This response has already made my trip worth while! The group headed to there rooms to unpack and then met for lunch on the patio of the impala! The weather is beautiful here and we are enjoying the cooler, jacket weather! I cannot wait to share our adventures with you! Stay tuned!

Preparations!

In exactly one week we will be well on our way to Tanzania for yet another adventure! This year there will be 9 travelers!!! Including our videographer Rusty who will be documenting our every move :) veterans Marilyn, Valerie, and myself (Nicole), along with undergraduate education students Mindy, Amber, AJ, Ellen, and Kari.

The last few days we have been meeting to gather and pack up materials. We are set for 3 days of teaching at SEKCO, teaching training college, and a few days in the local schools. Those of us who have experiences the Lushoto mountains before cannot wait to get back to the crisp mountain air and the wondrous sites on Safari. We are excited to share our experiences with the first timers and are confident they are going to love Tanzania as much as we do.

Until our travels on the 26th, get excited to hear about our adventures this year as we travel through Dallas, London, a night in Kenya, and finally Tanzania!!!

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