Going Back a Bit

So a few updates from my time Iringa. Not only did I meet some amazing people again while in Iringa but I also learned more Kiswahili while doing a few fun things. I've already blogged about the weekend trip to Dar.

I got my haircut by a Brazilian nun. Yes, you read that right, a nun (or sister really as she is not an official nun) who grew up in Brazil. Her father was a barber and she has been cutting hair since she was a little girl. Thank goodness for her because I had been cutting my own bangs (fringe) and they were starting to look horrible. Not only did she fix my bangs but she layered my hair (which it needed real bad) and was only 25,000 Tsh (~$16Cdn). Half the price from back home :) 

I also had a jumper made (I am slowly getting Britishized), which I love! (The jumper is what I love). It is purple and looks good and is the kind of thing I will wear often (along with sweats hehehe I can just hear the comments from you Carissa ;) ).

I so enjoy wandering around the streets and the many dukas (stores) in the market area. It is amazing what you can find here. I even found the dresses I wore in Dar here. I also found awesome gifts for the boys which I can’t send for Jack’s B’day because of stupid postal strike in Canada :(  I am looking forward to finally settling in Dodoma and learning the market and dukas and seeing what I can find here.

I also drank iced coffee (coffee with ice cream) which is to die for, every time I came into town. I think it may just be better than the Starbucks iced coffee?!? Either way I am really gonna miss those iced coffees :(

I had an good last weekend at Iringa (Rivervalley). I spent Saturday at the campsite and I must of had a good lazy day cause I can't remember what I did ;). In the evening the dance crew (as I now call them) came out for a BBQ to celebrate George’s 30^th B’day which is this coming Tuesday and to have a going away for me. We never really acknowledge that I am leaving except that George, Maria and Kerrie said I’m not allowed to leave and they are going to kidnap me or find a way to sabotage the bus! 

The BBQ was awesome! I have never seen so much meat in my life and I got to cook most of it :) I was totally in my element cooking (even though I have never cooked on charcoal before) and felt right at home. I had the tongs in one hand, a drink in the other and a big smile on my face. Just like I would if I was at the lake back home with my family. Sunday was spent relaxing and doing homework.

On Monday, Kerrie and I went to town for dinner. Around 5:30 we hooked up with Goze, swung by her place and then headed to Sai Villa for drinks and appi’s on the patio will the sun was setting before George and Maria came. (Wished Janneke could have been there).We were  well on our way by the time they showed up (with laughter and silliness) and by the end of the night they had me laughing so hard I actually cried! I can’t remember the last time I laughed that hard! My stomach still hurt the next day from laughing so much. Also Kerrie said she could pick out my giggle from the washroom (yes Mom I know, I know! I will try not to be so loud next time!). 

Instead of packing Tuesday afternoon I played Phase 10 with Amanda and Will and had dinner with the other Kiswahili students. So then I had to pack after dinner and of course as luck would have it the power was out. So I packed by lantern and flashlight. It was bound to happen sometime! I was sad to say good bye to everyone, but it really was time to leave the 'bubble' and get back to real life. I am really looking forward to really getting into the work that brought me here. So now I am 'home' in Dodoma :) even though I am heading to Arusha on Monday for the week.