Tuesday, June 19, 2007

hamjambo! ("hello to all!")

Hello from Kilosa!!! Tony and I moved in with our host family last Sunday, and we are very happy here. We have a mama (but I can't name her--Peace Corps rules) who really seems to like us, and is being VERY patient and kind with us as we learn to speak Kiswahili. Basically we spend EVERY DAY in groups of five doing "Community Based Training," which is learning how to speak and get along in Tanzanian communities. My Kiswahili is already better than yesterday, but it's a very slow process. Every day we walk around and meet people from our tiny village, and today I met two Masai women--they were wearing their full, traditional Masai attire, and I exchanged pleasantries with them and shook their hands--culturally shocking experience for me, for sure!! Ok, we just discovered this internet cafe, and it's almost time for it to close, so I'll write more in the next few days. Kwa herini! ("Goodbye to all!")

9 comments:

MomofSon said...

Carla,
I'm Mannis' mom..we haven't heard from him since you all got to Kilosa. If you see him, please clue him in to where you found the internet cafe. We'd like to hear from him and get an update. Sounds like you and your husband have landed safely.
Rosalyn

Unknown said...

Happy to hear everything is going smoothly. Looking forward to reading more! XO Jes

modgirl said...

wow-so amazing to think of you being there and starting this adventure. love you-T

mimi and kurt said...

carla and tony,
do you know how exciting it is to receive your messages?
wow, learning another language and so immersed right away-i am impressed. you are sounding less anxious.

so, no surgery(colon removal ) for gwen now-she's trying other meds. we are hoping something will give her more comfort.

they have found a babysitter which is helpful and worth their $ and energy.

sat. i'll be there as the next day danny flies to col. for a few days for business. i'll be more than business doing the home front things and carpool. the little guys. gwen tries to help but tires so easily and gets dizzy, etc.

zev's visit with us has be delightful. it's good that parents have kids when they are younger. i was more energetic so many years ago but feel lucky that i can do as much as i still do.
today we went for a picnic at klode park, playground, and down to the lake.

gee, i hope this message gets to you.

so much love,
mimi

mimi and kurt said...

tomorrow these milw. lovebirds celebrate their 42nd anniversary. it's beyond belief how the years have flown by.

sending love from these lovebirds to you lovebirds so many miles away.

m and k

no name said...

Wow!!!! I'm soaking up every detail. Keep em coming! I love you and miss you!

Kim said...

Your blog is awesome. I am so excited to read it everytime I get a chance. Everything seems to be working out perfectly for you and Tony! You both are amazing people and I can't wait to hear more. We miss you both.
Love ya.
Kim, Andy and the girls

Suzi said...

Hi Carla,
It is so amazing to hear of your adventures. I look forward to your next update. I just found out that two of my other friends are also in Tanzania for the next two weeks. If you run into Melody and Jeff - say "Hi" from Suzi. I realize that it is not likely you will run into them, since I do not even know what city they are in, but it is quite a coinsidence that they are also there. Take care of yourselves!
Suzi

mamasita said...

Hello from Mom and Dad. We are so happy to hear that everything is going well for both of you. We miss you. Of course, as your mom, I have lots of questions: what is your housing like, what is the weather like, are you eating and what are you eating, etc. etc. We thoroughly enjoy your blog updates; we only wish we could hear from you more often. All our love to both of you.

Love,
Mamasita