greetings from dodoma

This probably won't be a fascinating update--just the facts, because time is limited right this minute. We are in Dodoma with a group of other Peace Corps Volunteers for a fun-filled weekend away from our respective villages. Dodoma is the capitol of Tanzania; our town, Kibakwe, is in the region of Dodoma, so the weather is really similar: fierce, mean, unrelenting sun. Much better in the shade. We spent the day wandering the streets, buying mostly food that we can't regularly get in Mpwapwa (avocadoes, mangoes, cucumbers, oranges, pineapple, canned mushrooms, apples, Pringles--don't judge us--, Snickers, CHEESE!) We have decided that the measure of a city's value in Tanzania is the availability of cheese--you can get cheese in Dodoma. And ice cream, by the way. Peace Corps Volunteers primarily talk about the foods we long for, our frustrations with village life and our bowel movements--again, don't judge us. BMs are very different in Africa. Don't ask.

So what have we accomplished last week? Lots. Our walls completely meet our ceiling now--Tony filled the gaps with scrap lumber. No more rat crap!! We painted our living room, and hung some art on our naked walls. What art? World map, straw mat, map of parks in Tanzania, painting of Tony and I that we received from our host mama during training. We're hoping to expand our art collection while we're here. When we get back we'll finish tiling our bathroom and paint our bedroom. Keep your fingers crossed that we get our kabati (cabinet for clothes) soon--would love to unpack our suitcases.

We head back to Mpwapwa tomorrow. Back to the land of dry, dusty plains, mountains all around, and a sea of giant, lonely baobob trees.