new info!

It's been a long time since I've had leisurely access to a computer--sorry for the delay in interesting updates. Here's what's new: we finished all of our tests last week. We don't know the actual results yet, but I think we both did well. Huge relief--now we just need to practice every single day!
Next tidbit: we went to Morogoro town last Monday and Tuesday to an agricultural festival called "Nane Nane." Walked around, looked at stuff. Morogoro is a pretty place, very green and lush; lots of fruits and veggies, huge market. Eager to spend more time here--it feels like a big city, with every possible amenity we could want or need.
Last Wednesday, we went to a town called Mpwapwa, which is in the Dodoma region of Tanzania, to do our "shadow" experience; this is where we live with other volunteers to see how they live their lives all by themselves. We stayed with a great couple, and did lots of hanging out, walking around, talking, cooking, and spent time with the other awesome volunteers who live in the area. The couple we stayed with built an outdoor brick oven, so we baked bread and cake every day! Mpwapwa is VERY dry--lots of drought issues.
Shadow was excellent for us; from there we went to Dar es Salaam (7 hour bus ride, with children vomiting across the aisle from us), which is where I'm writing this from the Peace Corps headquarters. Here's the big news: yesterday was the day for site announcements, and we're going to be living in the Dodoma region, where we shadowed, in a town called Kibakwe!!! Start planning your trip! We get officially sworn in as Peace Corps volunteers next Tuesday, and Wednesday we get "installed" at our site. We are really happy; this area has never had a health volunteer before, so I will be the first!! I have lots of ideas for projects, but the first three months at site are dedicated to mastering Kiswahili, making friends, setting up our house (it's a new house--we're the first volunteers in Kibakwe!) and learning our way around the village. Our new address goes into effect next week--I'll post it when we get it. We'll be an hour and a half away from Mpwapwa town; Mpwapwa is three and a half hours from Morogoro. 30 people in buses meant to hold 12. Piece of cake. Karibuni sana!! ("You are all very welcome!")