Day 34 – 1st April 2009
April fool’s day! I thought my phone was playing a trick on me this morning since it was still dark when my alarm went off (Just like England!) but sadly it was in fact 6.30 and time to get up! It was quite a fun morning getting ready. Karen played a trick on the kids, she had her ‘boss’ (Shaun) phone up and explain to her that there had been a tick infestation at school and because they had the infumigators in school had been cancelled. Louis and Jacob were completely fooled but Megan caught on very quickly.
It was quite fun in the classroom today, I don’t think 5 year olds quite understand the concept of a prank. They would tell you to look up then when you did they would yell “April fools!” Though I guess I’m lucky, the other teachers had the more complex pranks involving pretend bugs so Karen and I got off lucky there. We also watched the puppet show all the way through today (in preparation for Friday and that afternoon when they were showing it to another school).
After second break I headed down to another classroom, I was going to be helping Shaun with Service week this afternoon because the Kindergarten was just going to watch the puppet show again. Service week is something HOPAC does were the secondary children go off and do charitable work in different parts of Tanzania like Iringa, Morogoro, Tanga and Shaun was doing one of the programmes running in Dar. It was linked to the quarry kids club that they did on Saturday but in the mean time they have been delivering Mosquito nets to all the families in the Quarry. That afternoon they were going to be doing their regular kids club.
My gosh it was hot! We were all in a field playing games, skipping ropes, Frisbees, dancing and generally getting interactive with the children. It was for just over an hour but by the end of it everyone was exhausted. Once that had finished I was taken back to the school to pick up my cases and then dropped off back at the Guest House around 3. I had a lovely afternoon, spent a lot of it asleep because I was so tired but I have FINALLY finished off those profiles which is brilliant so tomorrow I will pass them on to Brenda. I then had another lovely dinner and then early bed since I’ve still got a cold and still feeling grotty.
Day 35 – 2nd April 2009
Another early start and since I’m at the guest house I walk in to HOPAC before school starts. I’m only going to be there till 12 today since I’ve planned to go see Karen Stanley in the afternoon to sort out hotels/safari and plans for me and my dad next week. Today the children did their regular work but they also made a card for one of the students leaving the school tomorrow which was so sweet. They all drew pictures of themselves – I love how we can only draw like that when we’re that age.
When it came to twelve Rob picked me up and took me to Karen’s house where I met Tom for the first time and saw Josh again. It was nice to see the house again and say hello to the dogs. The plans are now (after numerous calls to different hotels who were fully booked?!) is that I’ll stay at the Guest House and I will stay here with dad Sunday and Monday night also. We’ll then go on a two day Safari and stay in Mokumi Tuesday night but back at the Guest House Wednesday and Thursday night. We’ll then go up to Bagamoya on the Friday and Karen has said that we could stay at her house on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights which is really great.
After the plans had been made she took me down to the Slip Way where I got some internet credit and got some money out of the ATM, I also saw Alejandro who is in the HOPAC Kindergarten class which was a bit surreal. After that Rob took me back to their house where I collected my bags to bring to the Guest House (it took us almost two hours in all so I was exhausted by this point.) I then had dinner and fell asleep quite early so I would be well rested for my last day at HOPAC.
Day 36 – 3rd April 2009
Bright and early again and I walk down to the school as usual. I’m suffering quite a bit from bites as well by this point – I actually think cutting off my own feet would help it’s so itchy!! But it’s a lovely day, hot as always but no sign of rain. I got to the classroom and I was tackle hugged by Louis which was an indicator of how the day would go.
It was a really lovely day and since it was the last day of school the kids got to do some really fun stuff like make Easter cards, they all got pizza and gifts from students so it was just a really nice vibe for the day. The assembly was in the afternoon and that consisted of the Puppet show, songs I didn’t know the words too and readings from the bible. I’m not Christian (or religious) as lots of you know but it’s still fascinating to see all the different interpretations of the same story or THE story as some might say. Once the day was over the kindergarten class all said goodbye to Anna-Mart who was leaving for South Africa and collected their things ready for the holidays. I then left for the Guest House once I had goodbye to everyone. It’s strange to know that I’ve now finished this part of my trip since on Sunday my dad comes and I won’t be volunteering in the same way that I have been doing, but still, I’m VERY excited. The afternoon was nice and relaxing; I loaded up my airtime for the internet (SO pleased it works!) and then went down for another lovely dinner of chicken and chips. Plan is to have a nice long sleep and an even longer lie in!
Day 37 – 4th April 2009
I’ve failed as a teenager. I literately could not sleep past 8 so I’m very disappointed in myself! However, I did wake up then and I had my breakfast and had a lovely morning of reading my books, watching some TV and doodling in my book. I had lunch with everyone down at the restaurant, Spaghetti Bolognaise so I was a very happy girl indeed. The afternoon had much the same theme of essentially doing nothing but getting a lot done. For example, I sorted out both my suitcases and have put some of my clothes away and basically have tried to get organised for my dad’s arrival tomorrow!
I headed down to the restaurant around 8 and had Steak and Chips again and I sat there talking with everyone till around ten so now I’m here typing up my blog! Just about to ring some people, post this on the blog (hopefully) and then ATTEMPT a good night’s sleep. Wish me luck!
-Love, (as always) Emma xxx
Saturday, 4 April 2009
Sunday, 29 March 2009
Start of a new challenge
Day 30 – 28th March 2009
Last night I had one of the best night’s sleep I’ve had since I’ve been here. The air con was lovely and it was nice to be on such a comfy bed (with no mosquito net to get tangled up in!)
Since I’m the guinea-pig of the Guest House I woke up at 9 and got breakfast (included), I had toast (marmite =]), cereal and a banana so all was good! I then left the Guest House just before 10 to walk down to Holpac (the school) since Karen Graham had invited me to a fun day they were having for the Quarry kids. Now these are the kids who live in the Quarry just behind the school and Karen and her husband Shaun run a kids club so once a week the children have an opportunity to just be kids! Today was a special day though and there was a football tournament organised, skipping ropes, hoops and lots of crafts so you could make bracelets out of the beads supplied. I helped out with the crafts making things which was really fun and I’m proud that I can at least communicate on a basic level with people in Swahili.
I spent until about three at the school (had a nice lunch of chicken and curried potatoes!) and then I headed back to the Guest House. Now it’s a good thing I was the guinea-pig! The handle on my door is faulty, so you can’t open it from the inside unless you have the key – which I didn’t! So I had to phone Jackie to come and let me out! But the afternoon was a good one, I spent some more time on the Jangwani profiles and I had a LOVELY dinner of steak and chips so I was happy.
Day 31 – 29th March 2009
I woke up at around nine today after another night’s great sleep. Today I was planning to do much, have a nice day off where I could do the profiles. The Restaurant in the compound also does a Sunday Lunch so I was going to go to that as well.
When it came round to about 2 I made my way down to the restaurant for lunch. It was quite busy with around ten people there and it was nice to talk to lots of people. I also met someone who does Safari’s so dad and I are going to keep him in mind for next week. The food was great (I really have missed roast dinners) and I had a chocolate brownie for pudding which was equally as good. After lunch everyone milled around the bar for a few hours then I headed back to the Guest House to do some work.
At lunch I’d made a promise to one of the guests to fix his iPod/iTunes so he came round at 5 and I sorted that out for him. I spent the evening watching some TV and then I had an early night seeing as I would be waking up before 6.30 tomorrow (Ah!)
Day 32 – 30th March 2009
I love how even at 6.30 it feels like the middle of the day here – hot and bright. I woke up nice and early, had my breakfast and made myself a pack lunch =]
The place I’m staying at is really near to HOPAC (spelling check there, not Holpac) which means ‘Haven of Peace’. It’s about ten minutes to walk there so that’s nice. I get there in time for school to start which is great. The school day is 7.15-2 with two breaks inbetween. The school only has one class per year so it’s quite small – it’s also quite a heavily Christian school (Something which a lot of you will find shocking for me =]). The kids are very sweet though, as always! The class is predominately boys though so it’s a bit wild – especially since it’s the last week of term! Karen also took me on a mini tour of the school, it’s a tight knit community so all the buildings are fairly close and the primary and secondary sections aren’t very far apart at all. Karen also showed me the Staff Room (What a view!! – You can see the ocean, pretty spectacular.)
The day was spent doing some maths, English and they also got given some colouring in. At 2 I went along with Karen and Shaun to watch the swimming Gala because Megan was swimming and I was going back to their house that night. It was quite sweet to watch some of the smaller ones swim and sometimes they surprised you with abnormal speed. Megan did really well but she was piped at the post for 3rd. During the gala Karen and I went across to the guest house to pick up my stuff and then go get some chips for tonight’s dinner of chip butty’s. Once the gala was over we all headed back to their house and spent the evening with dinner and top trumps.
Day 33 – 31st March 3009
I slept all lovely and great last night (Memory foam =D) but unfortunately I seem to have picked up a cold. A cold?! Surely it’s kind of impossible to get a cold in this heat?? So my throats a bit sore but that’s okay. Early rise at 6.30 again and we all bundle in the car at 7 to go to school.
The day had a similar theme to yesterday, however, it’s Easter week so a lot of time is spent remembering the Easter story and we also have an assembly where installations of the ‘Easter Puppet Show’ was performed because on Friday they’re going to run the whole thing for the big Easter end of term Assembly with the whole school and parents. Along with the usual maths and English work they do they also have Swahili classes, which are a lot of fun to sit in on. Again I’m finding myself remembering lots of names which is great, oh I forgot to mention Louis (Karen’s youngest daughter) is also in the class so that’s also quite nice.
Once school is finished we all go back to their house since I’m there for one more night. I’m shattered already by this point so the evening goes pretty quickly. We have homemade curry for dinner which was lovely and spend the afternoon with TV and the small Talent show Louis and Jacob put on for us. I think I’m asleep before nine tonight since I feel so grotty still and I’m so tired!
- Love, Emma xxx
Last night I had one of the best night’s sleep I’ve had since I’ve been here. The air con was lovely and it was nice to be on such a comfy bed (with no mosquito net to get tangled up in!)
Since I’m the guinea-pig of the Guest House I woke up at 9 and got breakfast (included), I had toast (marmite =]), cereal and a banana so all was good! I then left the Guest House just before 10 to walk down to Holpac (the school) since Karen Graham had invited me to a fun day they were having for the Quarry kids. Now these are the kids who live in the Quarry just behind the school and Karen and her husband Shaun run a kids club so once a week the children have an opportunity to just be kids! Today was a special day though and there was a football tournament organised, skipping ropes, hoops and lots of crafts so you could make bracelets out of the beads supplied. I helped out with the crafts making things which was really fun and I’m proud that I can at least communicate on a basic level with people in Swahili.
I spent until about three at the school (had a nice lunch of chicken and curried potatoes!) and then I headed back to the Guest House. Now it’s a good thing I was the guinea-pig! The handle on my door is faulty, so you can’t open it from the inside unless you have the key – which I didn’t! So I had to phone Jackie to come and let me out! But the afternoon was a good one, I spent some more time on the Jangwani profiles and I had a LOVELY dinner of steak and chips so I was happy.
Day 31 – 29th March 2009
I woke up at around nine today after another night’s great sleep. Today I was planning to do much, have a nice day off where I could do the profiles. The Restaurant in the compound also does a Sunday Lunch so I was going to go to that as well.
When it came round to about 2 I made my way down to the restaurant for lunch. It was quite busy with around ten people there and it was nice to talk to lots of people. I also met someone who does Safari’s so dad and I are going to keep him in mind for next week. The food was great (I really have missed roast dinners) and I had a chocolate brownie for pudding which was equally as good. After lunch everyone milled around the bar for a few hours then I headed back to the Guest House to do some work.
At lunch I’d made a promise to one of the guests to fix his iPod/iTunes so he came round at 5 and I sorted that out for him. I spent the evening watching some TV and then I had an early night seeing as I would be waking up before 6.30 tomorrow (Ah!)
Day 32 – 30th March 2009
I love how even at 6.30 it feels like the middle of the day here – hot and bright. I woke up nice and early, had my breakfast and made myself a pack lunch =]
The place I’m staying at is really near to HOPAC (spelling check there, not Holpac) which means ‘Haven of Peace’. It’s about ten minutes to walk there so that’s nice. I get there in time for school to start which is great. The school day is 7.15-2 with two breaks inbetween. The school only has one class per year so it’s quite small – it’s also quite a heavily Christian school (Something which a lot of you will find shocking for me =]). The kids are very sweet though, as always! The class is predominately boys though so it’s a bit wild – especially since it’s the last week of term! Karen also took me on a mini tour of the school, it’s a tight knit community so all the buildings are fairly close and the primary and secondary sections aren’t very far apart at all. Karen also showed me the Staff Room (What a view!! – You can see the ocean, pretty spectacular.)
The day was spent doing some maths, English and they also got given some colouring in. At 2 I went along with Karen and Shaun to watch the swimming Gala because Megan was swimming and I was going back to their house that night. It was quite sweet to watch some of the smaller ones swim and sometimes they surprised you with abnormal speed. Megan did really well but she was piped at the post for 3rd. During the gala Karen and I went across to the guest house to pick up my stuff and then go get some chips for tonight’s dinner of chip butty’s. Once the gala was over we all headed back to their house and spent the evening with dinner and top trumps.
Day 33 – 31st March 3009
I slept all lovely and great last night (Memory foam =D) but unfortunately I seem to have picked up a cold. A cold?! Surely it’s kind of impossible to get a cold in this heat?? So my throats a bit sore but that’s okay. Early rise at 6.30 again and we all bundle in the car at 7 to go to school.
The day had a similar theme to yesterday, however, it’s Easter week so a lot of time is spent remembering the Easter story and we also have an assembly where installations of the ‘Easter Puppet Show’ was performed because on Friday they’re going to run the whole thing for the big Easter end of term Assembly with the whole school and parents. Along with the usual maths and English work they do they also have Swahili classes, which are a lot of fun to sit in on. Again I’m finding myself remembering lots of names which is great, oh I forgot to mention Louis (Karen’s youngest daughter) is also in the class so that’s also quite nice.
Once school is finished we all go back to their house since I’m there for one more night. I’m shattered already by this point so the evening goes pretty quickly. We have homemade curry for dinner which was lovely and spend the afternoon with TV and the small Talent show Louis and Jacob put on for us. I think I’m asleep before nine tonight since I feel so grotty still and I’m so tired!
- Love, Emma xxx
Sorry!
Right! Glad that's sorted! I'm sorry it's taken me well over a week to update but I've only JUST managed to get on to the internet. (Even then it's borrowed!)
But there you go =]
One more week left before my dad comes out. The plan is to work at Holpac (an international school) in the Kindergarten with Karen Graham which I'm really looking forward to! Then it'll be on to the exploring once dad gets here.
The rain is really here now, very heavy rain for a few hours a day, I've been lucky and I've not been caught in it yet! Once again, hope you're all in good order! Sorry I haven't replied in so long it's because I've been desperately trying to get hold of internet!
- Love, Emma xxx
But there you go =]
One more week left before my dad comes out. The plan is to work at Holpac (an international school) in the Kindergarten with Karen Graham which I'm really looking forward to! Then it'll be on to the exploring once dad gets here.
The rain is really here now, very heavy rain for a few hours a day, I've been lucky and I've not been caught in it yet! Once again, hope you're all in good order! Sorry I haven't replied in so long it's because I've been desperately trying to get hold of internet!
- Love, Emma xxx
My week at the Orphanage
Day 23 – 21st March 2009
Today I woke up the latest I have this trip – at 10.20! Amazing. You have no idea what a nice feeling a well over due lie-in is worth. I had a bit of a rough morning – being in another new place is taking a little bit of a toll on me and the prospect of doing nothing over the next two days scares me a little. I feel I need to keep busy to distract myself from missing people and being in a new environment. No power and no running water certainly didn’t help!
However, Karen texted me in the afternoon, whilst I was writing up the Jangwani profiles, to ask if I wanted to go see a film. I jumped at the chance. I went with Karen, her son Josh and Sophie to see the film Marley & Me – air conditioned theatre!!! It was an okay film – very sad ending and it dragged a bit, however, there were some hilarious moments in the film. The cinema is within an American style mall which is another one of those bizarre things about Dar, unexpected things in unexpected places. There were some clothes shops which we had a look in and one even took a card! I should mention here that card machines just don’t exist here; it’s all cash so I would be scuppered without ATM’s. It’s such a weird concept to me now I guess because we live in such a plastic society, I mean I used to pay for my tea in London with a card.
Once we had finished Karen drove me back to Mary’s and I spent the afternoon on the phone to Dad and Mum as well as finishing another book. That’s 15 now!
Day 24 – 22nd March 2009
The power was back thankfully last night! And we had running water so I have the much desired bath since the shower isn’t very good in my room. Last night dad got a hold of another Karen in Dar because I was feeling quite low yesterday and perhaps needed something to do today.
Now – the connection I’m not quite too sure of but I’ll try my best! One of dad’s clients is married to someone who has a sister in Dar es Salaam so we managed to get in contact with her. Funny thing is that she teaches Kindergarten at the school Mary’s kids go to but knows Karen Stanley (the family I have been staying with) because some children from Karen’s nursery, Tiger Tots, go in to her class. Small world, eh? Well anyway she invited me round for lunch today which was very sweet.
They have three dogs and three children. Megan who is 10, Jacob who is 8 and Louis who is 5 I think – all very sweet children and I found some common ground with Jacob over Star Wars. They also have the most adorable puppy, Tails, who is just a little ball of scruffy fluff. They commented on his likeness to ‘Hairy Mclairy’ – I have to agree! After lunch I played scrabble with them, losing narrowly to Karen. We then watched School of Rock before they eventually brought me back home. I had a lovely time there.
At 5 I started a new book then spent an hour on the phone with mum. I’ve also gone on to their internet since I think mine has run out of credit which is a bit of a shame. So my blog might be running....well no. It IS running late! I’ll talk to the usual people tonight and then bed to get a good night sleep in before the Orphanage in Bagamoya tomorrow.
Day 25 – 23rd March 2009
Today was my second time down at the Orphanage. Me and Robert went in Lugendo’s car (he’s been my driver quite a few times) however, I sat in the back this time – no seatbelts and just a bar to hang on to. Quite scary I’ll admit especially since the main road to the Orphanage is being resurfaced so it’s got almighty mounds of sand on it so we had to go the back way. Roads don’t seem to be built with cars in mind here! It was a rather scenic route though and I got to see this spectacular orangey-red bird, beautiful colour but I have no idea what its name is!
Once we got the Orphanage the plan was to stay a few hours while rob prepared some of the walls for painting. It was quite difficult with the children since I don’t speak very good Swahili and they know very little English. However, by the end of the session we’ve started to count to twenty in English which is really excellent. We then went back to the house (Mary’s) and I spent the afternoon reading and doing some more of the Jangwani profiles before an early bed for an early rise tomorrow!
Day 26 – 24th March 2009
I woke up early today and we set off around 10.30. We got to the Orphanage just after 11. Work begins on the painting of the Orphanage now since they’ve got a BBC camera crew filming on Saturday to do with Earth Hour. The idea is that everyone in the world at 8.30pm switches off their lights for an hour to promote energy efficiency. The idea is that the Orphanage will switch off all it’s lights but then turn them on using their solar panel energy – to show the use of renewable energy. Anyway, Darren (from Ireland) is staying at the Orphanage all week to get the painting done.
I stay for almost two hours before Mary and Rob drive me to Bagamoya. I’ve learnt something new today, “Gotchola” (that may well be spelt VERY wrong) means to draw so I spent the hours we had together drawing various things and trying to sing the Alphabet and counting.
Yesterday two of the main hotels in Bagamoya burnt down – which was a bit worrying but thankfully the one I was about to book in to was okay. The place is called ‘Travellers Lodge” and is very picturesque. It’s not a traditional hotel as such; all the rooms are little huts with two double beds and a rather big bathroom. They all come with a veranda and they look out over the Indian Ocean which is nice. It was a bit nerve racking being completely on my own but I manage to get through the afternoon by keeping myself busy and then having dinner. The huts are air conditioned which is also rather lovely – it’s nice to be not so hot, nasty and sweaty all the time!
Day 27 – 25th March 2009
I had a bit of a bad sleep, I couldn’t get to sleep because the air con was really loud and when I turned it off it was too hot! However, I did get some sleep and got ready and had breakfast ready for the taxi to pick me up at 9.30.
Now... The taxi was a bit of an ordeal, I must admit I dislike them more here. The guy didn’t speak a word of English for a start! Because the road is still not finished we had to go down the back road, he went right instead of left and then got stuck in the sand. Had to dig himself out. Turned around and went to the beginning of the road and refused to go back in so I had to phone Mary to talk to him in Swahili. Finally he yielded and went back down the road again.
FINALLY got there and I spent a few hours with the little ones. We counted and “sang” the alphabet as well as some colouring. Today I started something I had picked up from Karen’s nursery – I drew a cartoon letter, ‘A’ for example, which they had to colour in and then write it ten times underneath. They all seemed to get on well with the concept so we got up to E which is good.
I left around 1 because they were about to have their lunch and it looked as if it was about to rain and the taxi would never had made it back down that road if was wet. Once I got back to the hotel I was feeling really ill, I tried to get my mind off it by doing the Jangwani profiles and finishing another book. I’m out of fiction now so I’ve started on my philosophy books. Still annoyed that my internet won’t work but I can’t really do anything about it till the weekend.
I then attempted some dinner since I was feeling really bad by this point and spent the evening watching BBC Lifestyle because I’m really cool – Masterchef goes Large and The Great British Menu. I then got ready for bed, phoned my family and Sam before eventually drifting off with the air con on low so it didn’t make so much noise.
Day 28 – 26th March 2009
I had a nice lie in this morning since I was still feeling really rough. The taxi (thankfully a different one!) picked me up after lunch and took me to the Orphanage. I spent the afternoon with the four kids learning numbers, attempting to write out the alphabet and singing baa baa black sheep! Also because I stayed till around 6 I met some of the elder children when they got back from school. I also spent some time talking to Darren who’s from Ireland. He’s been staying at the Orphanage so he can paint the place but it was nice to speak to someone my age (ish) about our experience which was lovely.
About six I left the Orphanage before it got dark and back to the hotel for some dinner and sleep. I spent the evening watching The Great British menu again and had a lovely dinner of chips and a chicken sandwich. When I was back at my room I did some more of the Jangwani profiles before settling down to sleep.
Day 29 – 27th March 2009
I didn’t get to sleep till very late last night so when I had to get up at 7 it was quite painful! However, I got showered, dressed and checked out of my room before getting the taxi to the Orphanage. It was a nice drive down since it wasn’t so overcast today. I was there at the Orphanage up until 6 so it was quite a long day!
I again did similar things with the kids that I had been doing all week to keep continuity and they’ve become much more confident with their counting which is lovely to see. I also sat and played with them and spoke to some of the older children when they got back. All things are go because everyone was trying to get everything ready for the Earth Hour TV segment they were planning for Saturday evening. Darren had his job cut out for him trying to get all the painting done! Also it now looks good and something the children can be proud of. Once it came to going I didn’t say goodbye since I will go back with Dad and not ready to say bye just yet!
Once I got back to Mary’s I put some more clothes in my case and we drove to Gwyneth’s Guest House since I would be staying there over the weekend. (I met Gwyneth on the second day I was here). I’m the first ever guest so that’s rather exciting! It’s a wonderful place with proper air conditioning. It’s called ‘Haven Guest House’.
Okay I’ll start from the beginning. It’s a compound of five houses. The first house is the one I’m staying in, the Guest house. Three will be rented out as houses and the fifth house is a restaurant/pub which is wonderfully English meets Africa and it’s just a really nice atmosphere. So now since I’ve had such a long day I’m going to snuggle up in my duvet (!!! You have no idea how lovely that feels after sleeping under sheets for so long) and sleep till tomorrow morning!
- Love, Emma xxx
Today I woke up the latest I have this trip – at 10.20! Amazing. You have no idea what a nice feeling a well over due lie-in is worth. I had a bit of a rough morning – being in another new place is taking a little bit of a toll on me and the prospect of doing nothing over the next two days scares me a little. I feel I need to keep busy to distract myself from missing people and being in a new environment. No power and no running water certainly didn’t help!
However, Karen texted me in the afternoon, whilst I was writing up the Jangwani profiles, to ask if I wanted to go see a film. I jumped at the chance. I went with Karen, her son Josh and Sophie to see the film Marley & Me – air conditioned theatre!!! It was an okay film – very sad ending and it dragged a bit, however, there were some hilarious moments in the film. The cinema is within an American style mall which is another one of those bizarre things about Dar, unexpected things in unexpected places. There were some clothes shops which we had a look in and one even took a card! I should mention here that card machines just don’t exist here; it’s all cash so I would be scuppered without ATM’s. It’s such a weird concept to me now I guess because we live in such a plastic society, I mean I used to pay for my tea in London with a card.
Once we had finished Karen drove me back to Mary’s and I spent the afternoon on the phone to Dad and Mum as well as finishing another book. That’s 15 now!
Day 24 – 22nd March 2009
The power was back thankfully last night! And we had running water so I have the much desired bath since the shower isn’t very good in my room. Last night dad got a hold of another Karen in Dar because I was feeling quite low yesterday and perhaps needed something to do today.
Now – the connection I’m not quite too sure of but I’ll try my best! One of dad’s clients is married to someone who has a sister in Dar es Salaam so we managed to get in contact with her. Funny thing is that she teaches Kindergarten at the school Mary’s kids go to but knows Karen Stanley (the family I have been staying with) because some children from Karen’s nursery, Tiger Tots, go in to her class. Small world, eh? Well anyway she invited me round for lunch today which was very sweet.
They have three dogs and three children. Megan who is 10, Jacob who is 8 and Louis who is 5 I think – all very sweet children and I found some common ground with Jacob over Star Wars. They also have the most adorable puppy, Tails, who is just a little ball of scruffy fluff. They commented on his likeness to ‘Hairy Mclairy’ – I have to agree! After lunch I played scrabble with them, losing narrowly to Karen. We then watched School of Rock before they eventually brought me back home. I had a lovely time there.
At 5 I started a new book then spent an hour on the phone with mum. I’ve also gone on to their internet since I think mine has run out of credit which is a bit of a shame. So my blog might be running....well no. It IS running late! I’ll talk to the usual people tonight and then bed to get a good night sleep in before the Orphanage in Bagamoya tomorrow.
Day 25 – 23rd March 2009
Today was my second time down at the Orphanage. Me and Robert went in Lugendo’s car (he’s been my driver quite a few times) however, I sat in the back this time – no seatbelts and just a bar to hang on to. Quite scary I’ll admit especially since the main road to the Orphanage is being resurfaced so it’s got almighty mounds of sand on it so we had to go the back way. Roads don’t seem to be built with cars in mind here! It was a rather scenic route though and I got to see this spectacular orangey-red bird, beautiful colour but I have no idea what its name is!
Once we got the Orphanage the plan was to stay a few hours while rob prepared some of the walls for painting. It was quite difficult with the children since I don’t speak very good Swahili and they know very little English. However, by the end of the session we’ve started to count to twenty in English which is really excellent. We then went back to the house (Mary’s) and I spent the afternoon reading and doing some more of the Jangwani profiles before an early bed for an early rise tomorrow!
Day 26 – 24th March 2009
I woke up early today and we set off around 10.30. We got to the Orphanage just after 11. Work begins on the painting of the Orphanage now since they’ve got a BBC camera crew filming on Saturday to do with Earth Hour. The idea is that everyone in the world at 8.30pm switches off their lights for an hour to promote energy efficiency. The idea is that the Orphanage will switch off all it’s lights but then turn them on using their solar panel energy – to show the use of renewable energy. Anyway, Darren (from Ireland) is staying at the Orphanage all week to get the painting done.
I stay for almost two hours before Mary and Rob drive me to Bagamoya. I’ve learnt something new today, “Gotchola” (that may well be spelt VERY wrong) means to draw so I spent the hours we had together drawing various things and trying to sing the Alphabet and counting.
Yesterday two of the main hotels in Bagamoya burnt down – which was a bit worrying but thankfully the one I was about to book in to was okay. The place is called ‘Travellers Lodge” and is very picturesque. It’s not a traditional hotel as such; all the rooms are little huts with two double beds and a rather big bathroom. They all come with a veranda and they look out over the Indian Ocean which is nice. It was a bit nerve racking being completely on my own but I manage to get through the afternoon by keeping myself busy and then having dinner. The huts are air conditioned which is also rather lovely – it’s nice to be not so hot, nasty and sweaty all the time!
Day 27 – 25th March 2009
I had a bit of a bad sleep, I couldn’t get to sleep because the air con was really loud and when I turned it off it was too hot! However, I did get some sleep and got ready and had breakfast ready for the taxi to pick me up at 9.30.
Now... The taxi was a bit of an ordeal, I must admit I dislike them more here. The guy didn’t speak a word of English for a start! Because the road is still not finished we had to go down the back road, he went right instead of left and then got stuck in the sand. Had to dig himself out. Turned around and went to the beginning of the road and refused to go back in so I had to phone Mary to talk to him in Swahili. Finally he yielded and went back down the road again.
FINALLY got there and I spent a few hours with the little ones. We counted and “sang” the alphabet as well as some colouring. Today I started something I had picked up from Karen’s nursery – I drew a cartoon letter, ‘A’ for example, which they had to colour in and then write it ten times underneath. They all seemed to get on well with the concept so we got up to E which is good.
I left around 1 because they were about to have their lunch and it looked as if it was about to rain and the taxi would never had made it back down that road if was wet. Once I got back to the hotel I was feeling really ill, I tried to get my mind off it by doing the Jangwani profiles and finishing another book. I’m out of fiction now so I’ve started on my philosophy books. Still annoyed that my internet won’t work but I can’t really do anything about it till the weekend.
I then attempted some dinner since I was feeling really bad by this point and spent the evening watching BBC Lifestyle because I’m really cool – Masterchef goes Large and The Great British Menu. I then got ready for bed, phoned my family and Sam before eventually drifting off with the air con on low so it didn’t make so much noise.
Day 28 – 26th March 2009
I had a nice lie in this morning since I was still feeling really rough. The taxi (thankfully a different one!) picked me up after lunch and took me to the Orphanage. I spent the afternoon with the four kids learning numbers, attempting to write out the alphabet and singing baa baa black sheep! Also because I stayed till around 6 I met some of the elder children when they got back from school. I also spent some time talking to Darren who’s from Ireland. He’s been staying at the Orphanage so he can paint the place but it was nice to speak to someone my age (ish) about our experience which was lovely.
About six I left the Orphanage before it got dark and back to the hotel for some dinner and sleep. I spent the evening watching The Great British menu again and had a lovely dinner of chips and a chicken sandwich. When I was back at my room I did some more of the Jangwani profiles before settling down to sleep.
Day 29 – 27th March 2009
I didn’t get to sleep till very late last night so when I had to get up at 7 it was quite painful! However, I got showered, dressed and checked out of my room before getting the taxi to the Orphanage. It was a nice drive down since it wasn’t so overcast today. I was there at the Orphanage up until 6 so it was quite a long day!
I again did similar things with the kids that I had been doing all week to keep continuity and they’ve become much more confident with their counting which is lovely to see. I also sat and played with them and spoke to some of the older children when they got back. All things are go because everyone was trying to get everything ready for the Earth Hour TV segment they were planning for Saturday evening. Darren had his job cut out for him trying to get all the painting done! Also it now looks good and something the children can be proud of. Once it came to going I didn’t say goodbye since I will go back with Dad and not ready to say bye just yet!
Once I got back to Mary’s I put some more clothes in my case and we drove to Gwyneth’s Guest House since I would be staying there over the weekend. (I met Gwyneth on the second day I was here). I’m the first ever guest so that’s rather exciting! It’s a wonderful place with proper air conditioning. It’s called ‘Haven Guest House’.
Okay I’ll start from the beginning. It’s a compound of five houses. The first house is the one I’m staying in, the Guest house. Three will be rented out as houses and the fifth house is a restaurant/pub which is wonderfully English meets Africa and it’s just a really nice atmosphere. So now since I’ve had such a long day I’m going to snuggle up in my duvet (!!! You have no idea how lovely that feels after sleeping under sheets for so long) and sleep till tomorrow morning!
- Love, Emma xxx
Change of Direction
Day 18 – 16th March
This morning Mary came to talk to me about what I would be doing after this week. The profiling of the Jangwani girls is almost done and Karen and Richards boys will be back for Easter so the plan is now for the next two weeks to stay in Bagamoya and work in the Orphanage (Monday to Friday).
After I had spoken to Mary about the next two weeks I went to Jangwani to do some more of the profiling. I’ve done just over half now and my plan is to go there Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week to get them all finished (as finished as I possibly can!) Today was a nice one since most of the girls were around so I had a chance to talk to lots of them and get lots of profiles done. What strikes me is that all the girls are incredibly ambitious for themselves and many have dreams of being Doctors, Teachers, Lawyers and surprisingly Accountants! It’s lovely to hear that they’re all very passionate about education and are still squeezing every piece of knowledge I have on everything out of me!
Once I got back home I read some more of my books and did some of my blog before dinner and then bed.
Day 19 – 17th March
Today was pretty similar to yesterday bar one thing. I still went to Jangwani during the day and relaxed during the evening but this time Sophie decided to come with me. We sat at the same table – she was talking about science whilst I carried on with the profiling so least the girls could choose between learning or helping me translate. Some of the girls like Zena, Moesha, Monica and Beatrice are very good at helping me relay the questions to the other girls (which hopefully will slightly improve their communication skills in English!)
This lunch, instead of a packed marmite sandwich, me and Sophie went to the schools Dukka (shop) and had some chips (600tsh – 30p). I also had a bottle of Pepsi for 400tsh – that’s about 20p!! It’s quite astounding how some things seem to be the same price (if not more) and others seems so unbelievably cheap! In the afternoon we carried on doing much the same and thankfully I’ve done almost 40 profiles now!
The similarities continued now for the evening which was spent eating popcorn and watching “Definitely, Maybe”.
Day 20 – 18th March
Jangwani again today (my second to last day) and there was a little confusion about drivers so I ended up getting a taxi to Jangwani. This was an experience in itself – Tanzanian cars don’t have MOT’s. The left wing mirror was nowhere to be found and the left side of the interior looked to have disintegrated but somehow the electric windows still managed to work???
It was a nice and quiet day with the girls, doing what profiles I had left and playing Sudoku which they have taught me now. Once back at Karen and Richards I went for a swim in the afternoon before watching yet more desperate housewives in the evening with Sophie!
Day 21 – 19th March
Today was quite a complicated day with lots of tooing and froing back and forth from places. I went to Jangwani at 10 for my last official visit there. I’d saved the best things for last. (Everyday I would bring in books, educational helpers, atlases, dictionaries to make sure it didn’t get boring!) Today I had chosen the box full of art and craft staff (Thank you Yasmine – they love it even more now that they know it’s for them to keep!), a blackboard globe and I also bought a bead kit where you could make bracelets and necklaces with all the different types of beads.
We spent the morning and afternoon making these bracelets and such – talking about the previous times I had come and drawing pictures. They also gave me a braided bracelet in the Tanzanian colours “So you won’t forget us” which was incredibly touching. The last half hour was taken up with pictures being taken and loose goodbyes since I hope to go back there when dad comes out.
At about 2 the driver picked me up and took me back to the house and then at 2.45 Karen took me and Sophie to the Oyster Bay shops where we all got pedicures (well – there’s a first time for everything?). Once that was over I went back to the house in a taxi, Karen and Sophie stayed on to do Karen’s step class. Then me and Nicola went to collect Sophie at 6.30 and headed to the Yacht club for Pizzas. However, they weren’t quite as nice tonight as they usually are!
Once we got back home Nicola and everyone had a flip through my family pictures – commenting that Dad and Michael looked nothing like they thought they would, however, Granny and Susan looked recognisable. After American Idol it was finally time for bed!
Day 22 – 20th March
Woke up early this morning for the nursery and I helped them with their colouring and other things since they had to get their books finished for them to take home today. Amelia is still very sweet and sits on my lap without question each time. It was Fruity Friday today where all the children bring in a piece of fruit and a big fruit salad is made for everyone (extremely yummy.) It’s been lovely working with the little LITTLE ones and I’ve discovered I’m a lot more patient with small children than I originally thought when it comes to work =]
After the nursery it was time to pack – which thankfully didn’t take too long. I’ve still filled two suitcases though not as tightly and they’re not nearly as heavy as they were to begin with which is reassuring! I then met Josh (Karen and Richards eldest son) before lunch of Roast chicken. At three I was picked up to be taken to Mary’s.
I’ve been here since 4 and have spent the afternoon reading and talking to Nathan on Skype – which has been lovely since I wasn’t too tied for time and could just talk nonsense for a while =]
So it’s nearly 9.30 here so I think I’ll call home and Sam and then it’s off to bed!
- Love, Emma xxx
This morning Mary came to talk to me about what I would be doing after this week. The profiling of the Jangwani girls is almost done and Karen and Richards boys will be back for Easter so the plan is now for the next two weeks to stay in Bagamoya and work in the Orphanage (Monday to Friday).
After I had spoken to Mary about the next two weeks I went to Jangwani to do some more of the profiling. I’ve done just over half now and my plan is to go there Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week to get them all finished (as finished as I possibly can!) Today was a nice one since most of the girls were around so I had a chance to talk to lots of them and get lots of profiles done. What strikes me is that all the girls are incredibly ambitious for themselves and many have dreams of being Doctors, Teachers, Lawyers and surprisingly Accountants! It’s lovely to hear that they’re all very passionate about education and are still squeezing every piece of knowledge I have on everything out of me!
Once I got back home I read some more of my books and did some of my blog before dinner and then bed.
Day 19 – 17th March
Today was pretty similar to yesterday bar one thing. I still went to Jangwani during the day and relaxed during the evening but this time Sophie decided to come with me. We sat at the same table – she was talking about science whilst I carried on with the profiling so least the girls could choose between learning or helping me translate. Some of the girls like Zena, Moesha, Monica and Beatrice are very good at helping me relay the questions to the other girls (which hopefully will slightly improve their communication skills in English!)
This lunch, instead of a packed marmite sandwich, me and Sophie went to the schools Dukka (shop) and had some chips (600tsh – 30p). I also had a bottle of Pepsi for 400tsh – that’s about 20p!! It’s quite astounding how some things seem to be the same price (if not more) and others seems so unbelievably cheap! In the afternoon we carried on doing much the same and thankfully I’ve done almost 40 profiles now!
The similarities continued now for the evening which was spent eating popcorn and watching “Definitely, Maybe”.
Day 20 – 18th March
Jangwani again today (my second to last day) and there was a little confusion about drivers so I ended up getting a taxi to Jangwani. This was an experience in itself – Tanzanian cars don’t have MOT’s. The left wing mirror was nowhere to be found and the left side of the interior looked to have disintegrated but somehow the electric windows still managed to work???
It was a nice and quiet day with the girls, doing what profiles I had left and playing Sudoku which they have taught me now. Once back at Karen and Richards I went for a swim in the afternoon before watching yet more desperate housewives in the evening with Sophie!
Day 21 – 19th March
Today was quite a complicated day with lots of tooing and froing back and forth from places. I went to Jangwani at 10 for my last official visit there. I’d saved the best things for last. (Everyday I would bring in books, educational helpers, atlases, dictionaries to make sure it didn’t get boring!) Today I had chosen the box full of art and craft staff (Thank you Yasmine – they love it even more now that they know it’s for them to keep!), a blackboard globe and I also bought a bead kit where you could make bracelets and necklaces with all the different types of beads.
We spent the morning and afternoon making these bracelets and such – talking about the previous times I had come and drawing pictures. They also gave me a braided bracelet in the Tanzanian colours “So you won’t forget us” which was incredibly touching. The last half hour was taken up with pictures being taken and loose goodbyes since I hope to go back there when dad comes out.
At about 2 the driver picked me up and took me back to the house and then at 2.45 Karen took me and Sophie to the Oyster Bay shops where we all got pedicures (well – there’s a first time for everything?). Once that was over I went back to the house in a taxi, Karen and Sophie stayed on to do Karen’s step class. Then me and Nicola went to collect Sophie at 6.30 and headed to the Yacht club for Pizzas. However, they weren’t quite as nice tonight as they usually are!
Once we got back home Nicola and everyone had a flip through my family pictures – commenting that Dad and Michael looked nothing like they thought they would, however, Granny and Susan looked recognisable. After American Idol it was finally time for bed!
Day 22 – 20th March
Woke up early this morning for the nursery and I helped them with their colouring and other things since they had to get their books finished for them to take home today. Amelia is still very sweet and sits on my lap without question each time. It was Fruity Friday today where all the children bring in a piece of fruit and a big fruit salad is made for everyone (extremely yummy.) It’s been lovely working with the little LITTLE ones and I’ve discovered I’m a lot more patient with small children than I originally thought when it comes to work =]
After the nursery it was time to pack – which thankfully didn’t take too long. I’ve still filled two suitcases though not as tightly and they’re not nearly as heavy as they were to begin with which is reassuring! I then met Josh (Karen and Richards eldest son) before lunch of Roast chicken. At three I was picked up to be taken to Mary’s.
I’ve been here since 4 and have spent the afternoon reading and talking to Nathan on Skype – which has been lovely since I wasn’t too tied for time and could just talk nonsense for a while =]
So it’s nearly 9.30 here so I think I’ll call home and Sam and then it’s off to bed!
- Love, Emma xxx
Thursday, 19 March 2009
The Rains - Change of weather (and plans!)
Slight change of plans in the dates now.
Because of the “Rains” Dar es Salaam (and the whole of Tanzania for that matter) are expecting it’s been suggested that perhaps I went home a few weeks earlier because that way I could do a Safari with my dad rather than just sitting inside waiting for the rain to stop! So instead of coming home of the 5th of may as originally planned my dad is going to fly out on the 4th April and we’ll got back together on the 14th of April.
Conclusion being I’ll be home two and a bit weeks earlier and be back home for David’s birthday, see my friends during Easter and have more time to find a job! It’s a little disappointing, however this way I do get to go on a proper Safari with more chance of seeing something and hopefully the weather will be much nicer for when dad comes out.
Hope you’re all well – I am REALLY trying to email/text/phone people back as quick as possible but it’s hard sometimes (Unfortunately!)
- Love, Emma xxx
Because of the “Rains” Dar es Salaam (and the whole of Tanzania for that matter) are expecting it’s been suggested that perhaps I went home a few weeks earlier because that way I could do a Safari with my dad rather than just sitting inside waiting for the rain to stop! So instead of coming home of the 5th of may as originally planned my dad is going to fly out on the 4th April and we’ll got back together on the 14th of April.
Conclusion being I’ll be home two and a bit weeks earlier and be back home for David’s birthday, see my friends during Easter and have more time to find a job! It’s a little disappointing, however this way I do get to go on a proper Safari with more chance of seeing something and hopefully the weather will be much nicer for when dad comes out.
Hope you’re all well – I am REALLY trying to email/text/phone people back as quick as possible but it’s hard sometimes (Unfortunately!)
- Love, Emma xxx
Monday, 16 March 2009
Middle of March
Day 13 – 11th March 2009
Today I woke up nice and early for nursery. It was nice to see the little ones again. Spent the morning helping them with their writing, colouring and numbers. When it came to story time I was bombarded with requests to read books, I’ve now learnt you don’t offer to read one book because as soon as you do they all start pushing them under your nose. I’m still shocked at how quickly I’ve learnt all their names!
I met Sophie and Nicola for the first time this afternoon, they had a quick swim in the pool and the Karen took me and Sophie to the Slipway. We went for a walk around the shops and then had some of the nicest ice-cream I’ve ever had which was lovely. After a few hours there Karen brought us back to hers and we all had dinner. It’s been decided that Sophie will stay at Richard and Karen’s as well now.
Day 14 – 12th March 2009
Again it was an early start for nursery at 8. We were talking about Safari today and I have to admit the best quote was from Mai (who is five) when Karen asked why Elephants have such big ears she replied: “So they can fly!” Another lovely morning with the little ones.
In the afternoon Nicola, Jill and Sophie went off to the Orphanage in Bagamoya while I went to do “chores” with Karen. The main aim was to see if I could use the ATM to get some money out – which thankfully proved successful! After the dance to try and find petrol Karen dropped me off at the slip way again while she went to her step class. I again went shopping, still trying to get bits and bobs for people – it’s incredibly hard! I also spent a lot of time in the book shop – looking for books for the Jangwani girls and for me since I am quickly running out of books!
Once Karen had picked me up we went down to the Yacht club – see? Didn’t I tell you it was a second home for them! We then waited for Richard and Sophie to arrive so we could order pizza. I had the pollo (chicken) again which was lovely.
Day 15 – 13th March 2009
My day didn’t really begin till about 11.30 – Nicola picked me up and dropped me off at Jangwani. Today I had taken in some of the old IST science books which they said they found useful. I continued with the profiling, also adding on the extra questions I was meant to be asking the girls. This may take longer than I thought! Though I am roughly half way through which is a good sign and I started to type some of them up this afternoon so least there is some progress! I was picked up around 3 and taken back to Richard and Karen’s with the promise of seeing them tomorrow.
When I got home the power was out so the house felt very hot. After everyone had showered we made our way down to the Yacht club. Friday night is Happy Hour – so drinks are half price till 8 in the evening so it was very busy. This place still seems an odd concept to me – beyond the realms of reality. But the view is still spectacular and I’ve now tried some Tanzanian cider, it wasn’t bad actually. So I now have something to drink other than water (the wines are pretty terrible.) I had a nice meal of chicken and chips. It was a late night tonight – past 10.30 (!!!!)
Still no power by the time we got back. We found out later that a crow had flown into something which had short circuited our zone.
Day 16 – 14th March 2009
Got a BIT of a lie in today, though it didn’t seem much since I hadn’t slept very well. There was still no power so we hadn’t had any all night – no fan which meant it was a really hot and sticky night. Gas cooker still worked though so I had some pancakes for breakfast – constellation.
Ridiculously hot day today, made even hotter by the lack of power and no fans. Spent the morning and some of the afternoon reading and trying to find the cooler parts of the house, me and Sophie played pool also. The Jangwani girls got here about 3 in the afternoon and we spoke about science mostly till Nicola arrived.
The plan was to take the five girls in to the pool for the afternoon. They seemed to thoroughly enjoy it though which is great. They were a lot more confident with themselves after a few hours which was lovely to see. After everyone had dried off they went back to school – looking forward to the next time they’d be able to go in the pool. Still no power!!
The power was finally fixed at about 8 so thankfully we had power for the evening. Spent the rest of the evening relaxing and watching Desperate Housewives with Sophie before going to bed.
Day 17 – 15th March 2009
So nice to have the power back, you don’t realise how hot it is without the fans. Today nothing much was planned so I’ve spent the morning on my computer and finishing yet another book.
The afternoon was planned for a sailing trip to Bongoyo on Richard’s boat so I went along with Richard, Sophie, Nicola and Jill. It was really interesting for the first half; I sat at the front where the sea would splash you which definitely cooled you down. Then when we anchored Nicola and Sophie went snorkelling for twenty minutes while I swam around in the sea which was an awful lot of fun. However! On the way back I don’t think I have ever in my life felt so sea sick. So for the journey back I clung to the side of the boat, desperately trying not to be sick. I was so so so very glad to be back on dry, non moving land!
We then all had dinner at the Yacht club on the fish deck which was nice. You could watch all the fisherman bring in their fish and get them weighed. One guy had caught a sailfish (22kg) and it was apparently a small one!!! A pretty impressive creature though.
- Love, Emma xxx
Today I woke up nice and early for nursery. It was nice to see the little ones again. Spent the morning helping them with their writing, colouring and numbers. When it came to story time I was bombarded with requests to read books, I’ve now learnt you don’t offer to read one book because as soon as you do they all start pushing them under your nose. I’m still shocked at how quickly I’ve learnt all their names!
I met Sophie and Nicola for the first time this afternoon, they had a quick swim in the pool and the Karen took me and Sophie to the Slipway. We went for a walk around the shops and then had some of the nicest ice-cream I’ve ever had which was lovely. After a few hours there Karen brought us back to hers and we all had dinner. It’s been decided that Sophie will stay at Richard and Karen’s as well now.
Day 14 – 12th March 2009
Again it was an early start for nursery at 8. We were talking about Safari today and I have to admit the best quote was from Mai (who is five) when Karen asked why Elephants have such big ears she replied: “So they can fly!” Another lovely morning with the little ones.
In the afternoon Nicola, Jill and Sophie went off to the Orphanage in Bagamoya while I went to do “chores” with Karen. The main aim was to see if I could use the ATM to get some money out – which thankfully proved successful! After the dance to try and find petrol Karen dropped me off at the slip way again while she went to her step class. I again went shopping, still trying to get bits and bobs for people – it’s incredibly hard! I also spent a lot of time in the book shop – looking for books for the Jangwani girls and for me since I am quickly running out of books!
Once Karen had picked me up we went down to the Yacht club – see? Didn’t I tell you it was a second home for them! We then waited for Richard and Sophie to arrive so we could order pizza. I had the pollo (chicken) again which was lovely.
Day 15 – 13th March 2009
My day didn’t really begin till about 11.30 – Nicola picked me up and dropped me off at Jangwani. Today I had taken in some of the old IST science books which they said they found useful. I continued with the profiling, also adding on the extra questions I was meant to be asking the girls. This may take longer than I thought! Though I am roughly half way through which is a good sign and I started to type some of them up this afternoon so least there is some progress! I was picked up around 3 and taken back to Richard and Karen’s with the promise of seeing them tomorrow.
When I got home the power was out so the house felt very hot. After everyone had showered we made our way down to the Yacht club. Friday night is Happy Hour – so drinks are half price till 8 in the evening so it was very busy. This place still seems an odd concept to me – beyond the realms of reality. But the view is still spectacular and I’ve now tried some Tanzanian cider, it wasn’t bad actually. So I now have something to drink other than water (the wines are pretty terrible.) I had a nice meal of chicken and chips. It was a late night tonight – past 10.30 (!!!!)
Still no power by the time we got back. We found out later that a crow had flown into something which had short circuited our zone.
Day 16 – 14th March 2009
Got a BIT of a lie in today, though it didn’t seem much since I hadn’t slept very well. There was still no power so we hadn’t had any all night – no fan which meant it was a really hot and sticky night. Gas cooker still worked though so I had some pancakes for breakfast – constellation.
Ridiculously hot day today, made even hotter by the lack of power and no fans. Spent the morning and some of the afternoon reading and trying to find the cooler parts of the house, me and Sophie played pool also. The Jangwani girls got here about 3 in the afternoon and we spoke about science mostly till Nicola arrived.
The plan was to take the five girls in to the pool for the afternoon. They seemed to thoroughly enjoy it though which is great. They were a lot more confident with themselves after a few hours which was lovely to see. After everyone had dried off they went back to school – looking forward to the next time they’d be able to go in the pool. Still no power!!
The power was finally fixed at about 8 so thankfully we had power for the evening. Spent the rest of the evening relaxing and watching Desperate Housewives with Sophie before going to bed.
Day 17 – 15th March 2009
So nice to have the power back, you don’t realise how hot it is without the fans. Today nothing much was planned so I’ve spent the morning on my computer and finishing yet another book.
The afternoon was planned for a sailing trip to Bongoyo on Richard’s boat so I went along with Richard, Sophie, Nicola and Jill. It was really interesting for the first half; I sat at the front where the sea would splash you which definitely cooled you down. Then when we anchored Nicola and Sophie went snorkelling for twenty minutes while I swam around in the sea which was an awful lot of fun. However! On the way back I don’t think I have ever in my life felt so sea sick. So for the journey back I clung to the side of the boat, desperately trying not to be sick. I was so so so very glad to be back on dry, non moving land!
We then all had dinner at the Yacht club on the fish deck which was nice. You could watch all the fisherman bring in their fish and get them weighed. One guy had caught a sailfish (22kg) and it was apparently a small one!!! A pretty impressive creature though.
- Love, Emma xxx
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)