Chem Chem

Today was great! I know I already said this, but I love Ndanda. I woke up around 3am because I thought someone was breaking into the house. After almost having a heart attack I realized it was the beating of chickens’ wings that sounded like someone rattling the door. I couldn’t go back to sleep, so instead I watched two episodes of True Blood…because I could. It is nice having the endless options that electricity provides. I took a short nap and finally got up. For the first time since I’ve been “on my own”, I went out to get Chai. Man, I missed that. So I had chai with milk and chapatti and it was delicious. I went to the post office to try to mail some letters, but it was closed again. I did greet some of my new friends. I stopped and talked to the other guy who sells the Makonde carvings. He was telling me how he had made a carving 4 meters tall! If you haven’t already, Google it. They are most famous for their carvings which depict their ancestors piled on each other, kind of like a family tree. Anyway, they are gorgeous and I love looking at them, but I really don’t have the money to buy all of them! I did buy a bracelet though. Anyway, I went home and got ready to go swimming at the private pond (Chem Chem) that holds water to be filtered and then bottled. As I was walking by to find a driver, Gaudence came out and wanted to play bao again. He had taught me yesterday. I’m not that good yet, but at least it makes sense. It makes me feel good about my Swahili too.

Then he offered to drive me to Chem Chem. As soon as I got there a family from Germany arrived. The parents work in Masasi and they have been there for 2 years. They have 3 kids and they had a nanny and her 3 kids with them as well. I tried to teach the kids how to swim. When I went to call Gaudence to pick me up I realized I’d forgotten my phone. So I asked this German guy if they could drive me back into town when they were done. I’m so glad I ended up staying with them. The mom had made chocolate cake, so I had TWO slices of cake. They were laughing at how excited I was about cake. I guess it’s kind of a different experience in Tanzania when you have a car, electricity, oven, shower, nanny, money, etc. Then the kids wanted to hike up the small mountain that goes behind the pond. The little girl that I had spent most of my time teaching to swim just automatically grabbed my hand and wouldn’t let go. We got to see monkeys playing in the trees. Then as we were headed back down the mountain, the kids (who were leading the way) started screaming for us to stop. Two women were bathing in the creek. They seemed to cover up pretty quickly, but then alerted us that men were bathing up around the next bend of the creek. The father didn’t hear this whole exchange, so he said “What, are we going to wait here forever?” and started walking with all the kids. I waiting with the mom and the nanny thankfully. Finally we got the signal that it was safe to cross. The dad said “I didn’t know they were bathing like THAT!” (i.e. completely naked) Anyway, they drove me back into town and we ate dinner together. I still feel really bad about making Gaudence wait around all day to come pick me up. I think I’ll bring him a present to thank him for that, and for teaching me bao.

Tomorrow I leave for Dar and Tuesday I have my doctor’s appointment. Hopefully my health issues will be resolved then.