Well hello everybody! It has been a great weekend for all of us! Paul, Chalice, Abby, & Genni headed off to Zanzibar to enjoy a relaxing weekend at the beaches while Aaron and Kasia headed off to climb up a volcano (I'm sure Kasia will post a blog about her exciting adventures doing that!). Sam and myself were able to go with Deepal (an MO-er from last year's team who has returned to do a scholarship program for the CCF kids)up to the Maji Ya Chai. Deepal had arranged for the CCF Arusha boys to have a soccer match against the Maji Ya Chai CCF boys, so we tagged along to hang out and watch the game. They were all AMAZING players!! We had a great time hanging out with the kids, just loving on them, playing soccer with the little ones (since I am NOT talented enough to have played real soccer with the older boys!), and sharing candy with them.
I've been keeping track of some of the strange, entertaining & interesting things that we've noticed about Tanzania, so I thought I'd share some of them with you!
- no matter who you are or where you are, it is apparently completely socially acceptable to pick your nose at any given moment. Digging for gold included.
- There are no fenced in fields of grazing animals. Single cows and goats are literally tied up in the ditches at the side of the road.
- Chickens are EVERYWHERE. We have yet to determine how anyone actually keeps track of who's chicken belongs to who.
- "Muzungu's" (aka non-African people, usually white skinned) are a hot item to be stared at, waved at, pointed at, and frantically yelled at with a "Mambo Muzungu!!"
- Perhaps most surprisingly, everyone has a cell phone. I was in one of the clinic waiting rooms and an elderly Masaai woman (a VERY traditionally dressed tribe) carefully put on her glasses and then pulled out a cell phone and started texting. Who knew!
- It is not uncommon for the electricity to just cut out for minutes to hours of time. This happened to us a few times at the hospital during surgeries - with no back up generator! - causing us to grab our flashlights and headlights for light.
- real toilets are hard to find, they're usually just holes in the ground. Toilet paper is even harder to find, followed by paper towel or even normal towels to dry your hands.
- It is perfectly acceptable for bugs to be everywhere - one day we were working in the maternity ward with this HUGE green grass-hopper just hanging out on the patient files. If bugs like this were found in canadian hospitals I'm pretty sure four residents would be trying to shoo it out while four nursing students shrieked and begged the residents to not kill or hurt the bug (but please still get rid of it! lol).
That's all for now! Tutaonana rafiki's!!!
xo Court
Monday, July 26, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Night falls on the Serengeti...
It is day 2 of our 4-day safari to Lake Manyara, the Serengeti, and Ngorogoro crater. So far, no casualties, although we are currently in an open air encampment, a stone's throw away from where we came across troupes of zebras, impalas and gazelles. One of our tents has the zipper to the door broken, which is a tad unsettling... if a creepy crawlie so desired, it could easily slip in in the middle of the night - eek! Oh well, Genni and I slept in there yesterday and it was fine.
Speaking of creepy crawlies - we were quite lucky today in catching sight of a BLACK MAMBA!! that slithered across the road in front of us as we were driving along in the safety of our safari truck. For any of you that have seen Kill Bill #2 (I think), it had a small role in that film. The black mamba is one of the most dangerous snakes on earth. It has a neurotoxin in its venom, and a bite will kill a human being in about 15 seconds! (so I've been told by the locals). About 5-10 minutes after sighting said snake, we arrived at our campsite, in a clearing in the middle of the Savvanah. No fences, fortresses, nothing to separate us from the African wildlife! However, our guide said it was the first time he has ever seen a black mamba in the Serengeti (and he's been in the business a long time), and the fourth time he has seen one in the wild; they are a rare sight. It was a relief to hear that because, statistically speaking, chances are we will not be seeing another one tonight in one of our tents!
We are now in the center of the Serengeti, and it's been a beautiful, albeit bumpy drive. We exerienced two roadblocks today - one caused by a herd of elephants about fifty strong, the other by a family of zebras. Yesterday was baboon day - we saw a ridiculous amount of monkeys and baboons, they were quite adorable, especially the babies catching a piggyback ride on their mamas. We also saw hippos, warthogs, flamingos, and giraffes. Today we saw elephants, wildebeasts, impalas, gazelles... and (arguably) the most majestic of them all... lions!!! It was really incredible to be a mere two metres away from them - they were beautiful! And we haven't even hit the migration yet... In August, animals migrate from Masai Mara in Kenya to the Serengeti in Tanzania. Judging by how much wildlife we saw today, I cannot fathom how it must look after August!
We all look super tanned right now, but a wet cloth will show that it's just the layer of dust that is coating us and every single thing we own. It as if we were rolling around in a sand box, the dust is everywhere! It doesn't take too long to figure out this is the dry season.
Today Aaron and I wandered into the grasslands surrounding our campsite, risking a buffalo attack to get a photo of the perfect African Serengeti sunset (and we got it!). Yesterday's would-be photographers were not so lucky. Well, they came away unscathed, but it was a close call. Not sure if they got their photo or not.
We're sitting in near-pitch-black darkness right now, watching a sky-full of twinkling Serengeti stars. I can't wait to see what the next two days have in store!
xoxo Kasia
Speaking of creepy crawlies - we were quite lucky today in catching sight of a BLACK MAMBA!! that slithered across the road in front of us as we were driving along in the safety of our safari truck. For any of you that have seen Kill Bill #2 (I think), it had a small role in that film. The black mamba is one of the most dangerous snakes on earth. It has a neurotoxin in its venom, and a bite will kill a human being in about 15 seconds! (so I've been told by the locals). About 5-10 minutes after sighting said snake, we arrived at our campsite, in a clearing in the middle of the Savvanah. No fences, fortresses, nothing to separate us from the African wildlife! However, our guide said it was the first time he has ever seen a black mamba in the Serengeti (and he's been in the business a long time), and the fourth time he has seen one in the wild; they are a rare sight. It was a relief to hear that because, statistically speaking, chances are we will not be seeing another one tonight in one of our tents!
We are now in the center of the Serengeti, and it's been a beautiful, albeit bumpy drive. We exerienced two roadblocks today - one caused by a herd of elephants about fifty strong, the other by a family of zebras. Yesterday was baboon day - we saw a ridiculous amount of monkeys and baboons, they were quite adorable, especially the babies catching a piggyback ride on their mamas. We also saw hippos, warthogs, flamingos, and giraffes. Today we saw elephants, wildebeasts, impalas, gazelles... and (arguably) the most majestic of them all... lions!!! It was really incredible to be a mere two metres away from them - they were beautiful! And we haven't even hit the migration yet... In August, animals migrate from Masai Mara in Kenya to the Serengeti in Tanzania. Judging by how much wildlife we saw today, I cannot fathom how it must look after August!
We all look super tanned right now, but a wet cloth will show that it's just the layer of dust that is coating us and every single thing we own. It as if we were rolling around in a sand box, the dust is everywhere! It doesn't take too long to figure out this is the dry season.
Today Aaron and I wandered into the grasslands surrounding our campsite, risking a buffalo attack to get a photo of the perfect African Serengeti sunset (and we got it!). Yesterday's would-be photographers were not so lucky. Well, they came away unscathed, but it was a close call. Not sure if they got their photo or not.
We're sitting in near-pitch-black darkness right now, watching a sky-full of twinkling Serengeti stars. I can't wait to see what the next two days have in store!
xoxo Kasia
Sunday, July 11, 2010
woot
Mambo!
So it's Monday July 5th (this email won't be posted until later though, due to lack of wifi access), and it's been a week since MedOutreach arrived in Tanzania! We are now at Nkoaranga hospital, about a 45 minute drive from Arusha... although you can get there much faster if you take the 'pikipiki's' (the motorcycles). We saw someone wipe out on one yesterday; I think I will pass! Nkoaranga is at higher altitude and as a result is quite cold. The hospital we are at is fairly large, and has a maternity ward, a surgical theater, a moratorium, as well as other departments. Today was our first day working here; the medical and nursing students did rounds, where we met patients and learned their histories. The dentists spent the day pulling teeth, and were very satisfied with their day. Right now I can hear Chalice in the next room learning Swahili so she can communicate with her patients a little better. We have traded in 'panya kubwa's' (large rats) for 'sungusungu's'... giant biting ants! We probably look like we're performing an elaborate dance as we're climbing up the hill to our house, but we're just trying to jump over the ant trails. I don't know how, but in the 20 seconds it takes to run from the dirt anthill to the house, the ants managed to make it up our pants, shirts and into our hair.
Our house at Nkoaranga has a lot of character. We sleep on hospital beds, with hospital bedding, one of our kitchen sinks empties blindly into the wooden cabinet below it, we have an attic that few have ventured into (and come out alive), and our house is haunted by a cow carcass that lives in the attic. Although his head has since migrated onto our porch. At first it was creepy, but now we treat him as a sort of 'guard cow.' Our house has not been broken into, so I think he is doing his job quite well. The nice thing at Nkoaranga is that we have a kitchen here so we can make our own food. Although food in Arusha is quite cheap compared to Canadian standards, food in Nkoaranga is about ten times cheaper than Arusha, and it is nice knowing what you are eating. We occasionally go into Arusha to do groceries, and it reminds me of the movie 'The Beach,' when every month or so two people would travel to the mainland and come back with groceries, toiletries, etc... such is the excitement among us upon seeing Pringles or Diet Coke when people return.
Speaking of which, we're about to go on one of those shopping sprees before the stores close... It's a Sunday so the stores close early. Apples, navel oranges, milk and nutella are also hot ticket items in Nkoaranga, and we can't come back without them!
xoxo! Kasia
So it's Monday July 5th (this email won't be posted until later though, due to lack of wifi access), and it's been a week since MedOutreach arrived in Tanzania! We are now at Nkoaranga hospital, about a 45 minute drive from Arusha... although you can get there much faster if you take the 'pikipiki's' (the motorcycles). We saw someone wipe out on one yesterday; I think I will pass! Nkoaranga is at higher altitude and as a result is quite cold. The hospital we are at is fairly large, and has a maternity ward, a surgical theater, a moratorium, as well as other departments. Today was our first day working here; the medical and nursing students did rounds, where we met patients and learned their histories. The dentists spent the day pulling teeth, and were very satisfied with their day. Right now I can hear Chalice in the next room learning Swahili so she can communicate with her patients a little better. We have traded in 'panya kubwa's' (large rats) for 'sungusungu's'... giant biting ants! We probably look like we're performing an elaborate dance as we're climbing up the hill to our house, but we're just trying to jump over the ant trails. I don't know how, but in the 20 seconds it takes to run from the dirt anthill to the house, the ants managed to make it up our pants, shirts and into our hair.
Our house at Nkoaranga has a lot of character. We sleep on hospital beds, with hospital bedding, one of our kitchen sinks empties blindly into the wooden cabinet below it, we have an attic that few have ventured into (and come out alive), and our house is haunted by a cow carcass that lives in the attic. Although his head has since migrated onto our porch. At first it was creepy, but now we treat him as a sort of 'guard cow.' Our house has not been broken into, so I think he is doing his job quite well. The nice thing at Nkoaranga is that we have a kitchen here so we can make our own food. Although food in Arusha is quite cheap compared to Canadian standards, food in Nkoaranga is about ten times cheaper than Arusha, and it is nice knowing what you are eating. We occasionally go into Arusha to do groceries, and it reminds me of the movie 'The Beach,' when every month or so two people would travel to the mainland and come back with groceries, toiletries, etc... such is the excitement among us upon seeing Pringles or Diet Coke when people return.
Speaking of which, we're about to go on one of those shopping sprees before the stores close... It's a Sunday so the stores close early. Apples, navel oranges, milk and nutella are also hot ticket items in Nkoaranga, and we can't come back without them!
xoxo! Kasia
Friday, July 2, 2010
Canada Day!
It's day 5 of our trip, and things are 'poa kchizi kama ndizi' (as cool as a crazy banana)!
We had our first official meeting with Dr. Mhando and his family - his wife Mama Mhando, his children Nema and Thomas, and Thomas' wife Fidis. They were all very friendly, hospitable and helped us get started, contacting the appropriate people at the institutions we will be working at. They have all been working with MedOutreach for so many years that is has become a family affair. As Thomas mentioned, he's celebrated every birthday (his birthday is in July) with MedOutreach since his preteen years! To Aaron's delight, Dr. Mhando gave us one of his gigantic avocados that grow in his garden, which later on served as a small meal for our whole group!
Yesterday we made our way down to Nkoaranga hospital, which is about 45 minutes away. We will be working there for 10 days as of Monday, and we will be moving to the area on Sunday night. It seems like a pretty sweet place, and after all the organizination and preparation that we have been doing all year, we're all excited to start working in the hospital.
We are starting to be known in our town - and by that, I mean we have less people coming up to us trying to sell us stuff :). There is a wonderful Maasai market about a five minute walk from Centre House, where they have beautiful arts, crafts, and clothing. One of these days we will buy marimbas and bongo drums and start a band! Until then, Centre House will have peace and quiet.
We have also made some friends at Centre House - Diema (sorry if I've spelled that wrong!) who lives in the same house as us, is from an organization called HEAL, and Amy, Lindsay and T live at the main house; they are medical students from the University of Oregon. Paul also made an extra special friend - a pakya kubwa sana!! (a giant rat!). He woke up with a scream in the middle of the night when it jumped on him while he was sleeping! We're still not entirely sure if it was a real rat or a figment of his imagination, but my bets are that it is real and that it has friends!
Yesterday was an important day for our group - Canada Day! We dressed up most patriotically and made our way down to the local watering hole to celebrate in true Canadian style! We were pleased to see numerous other patriotic Canadians (one was easily spotted by the Canadian flag tattooed on his face), and we even met two girls - Emily and Marta - from Western Heads East, another organization based out of the University of Western Ontario, which we've had some contact with (and who just met Dr. Mhando the other day!). It's a small world!
We will probably not have internet while in Nkoaranga, so there may be a long gap in blog updates after Sunday. But we will make up for it and fill you in afterwards on all the exciting things that have happened!
Asante sana!
Kasia
We had our first official meeting with Dr. Mhando and his family - his wife Mama Mhando, his children Nema and Thomas, and Thomas' wife Fidis. They were all very friendly, hospitable and helped us get started, contacting the appropriate people at the institutions we will be working at. They have all been working with MedOutreach for so many years that is has become a family affair. As Thomas mentioned, he's celebrated every birthday (his birthday is in July) with MedOutreach since his preteen years! To Aaron's delight, Dr. Mhando gave us one of his gigantic avocados that grow in his garden, which later on served as a small meal for our whole group!
Yesterday we made our way down to Nkoaranga hospital, which is about 45 minutes away. We will be working there for 10 days as of Monday, and we will be moving to the area on Sunday night. It seems like a pretty sweet place, and after all the organizination and preparation that we have been doing all year, we're all excited to start working in the hospital.
We are starting to be known in our town - and by that, I mean we have less people coming up to us trying to sell us stuff :). There is a wonderful Maasai market about a five minute walk from Centre House, where they have beautiful arts, crafts, and clothing. One of these days we will buy marimbas and bongo drums and start a band! Until then, Centre House will have peace and quiet.
We have also made some friends at Centre House - Diema (sorry if I've spelled that wrong!) who lives in the same house as us, is from an organization called HEAL, and Amy, Lindsay and T live at the main house; they are medical students from the University of Oregon. Paul also made an extra special friend - a pakya kubwa sana!! (a giant rat!). He woke up with a scream in the middle of the night when it jumped on him while he was sleeping! We're still not entirely sure if it was a real rat or a figment of his imagination, but my bets are that it is real and that it has friends!
Yesterday was an important day for our group - Canada Day! We dressed up most patriotically and made our way down to the local watering hole to celebrate in true Canadian style! We were pleased to see numerous other patriotic Canadians (one was easily spotted by the Canadian flag tattooed on his face), and we even met two girls - Emily and Marta - from Western Heads East, another organization based out of the University of Western Ontario, which we've had some contact with (and who just met Dr. Mhando the other day!). It's a small world!
We will probably not have internet while in Nkoaranga, so there may be a long gap in blog updates after Sunday. But we will make up for it and fill you in afterwards on all the exciting things that have happened!
Asante sana!
Kasia
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