Kiswahili

Finally had some uji for breakfast - it's a traditional food made from millet and is basically a brown soup texture (makes me think of watery cream of wheat). Also got to start our language lessons; greetings was our first topic because they are crucial here. People always greet one another, even when they are in a hurry. Neighbors are expected to always greet one another and if no greeting is exchanged, there is a problem between the neighbors. Even strangers will greet one another on the street - not just a head nod or "Hey"; they actually ask how you are. Granted, you are always supposed to answer with some variant of "good" but it is much more of an exchange than in the Western countries I've been too.

Paul joined back up with our group today after a day in Dar for x-rays. As expected, his ankle is just sprained so he is able to hobble around. Due to room arrangements, he ended up in the empty room in our house of girls - poor guy.

Today we were also led down the road to exercise on a large field. We played Frisbee for about 5 minutes before the soccer team/group was ready to play and we had to stop. A few people in our group joined the soccer game (Eric, Katie, Ghee, Glenn, then George) and the rest of us watched or played w/ the local children who were having a blast w/ the Frisbee and soccer ball. The soccer game took place on a field w/ no lines but understood boundaries; spectators (like us) are often within the boundary and must move when play comes thier way. The goals are outlines (2 posts w/ rope at the top between them) of goals with no nets to stop the ball from going into the cemetary or road.

At some point today, Eric broke out an electric game called Catchphrase. A bunch of us sat in a circle and played and the group grew as time went on. It was a game I'd never think to bring but it was a ton of fun.

CCT

Left the Msimbazi Centre today for Morogoro. We saw more of the squalor but also some of the beautiful countryside. Didn't get to CCt until 14:00 b/c the bus we were supposed to take broke down before getting us. We ended up leaving Dar around chai (morning tea) but we didn't partake and were ravenous by the time we arrived. Luckily they let us eat before going to our rooms and the food was as filling as usual. Perhaps I should mention more about the food. I feel a little like a hobbit w/ all the food we have been served. Not only is there a lot at each meal, there is chai between meals. Basically, we've been eating at 7:00, 10:00, 12:30, & 18:30. The afternoon chai is usually just drinks (tea, soda). Meals here are heavy on the starch (at least so far) and fried foods are common (chicken, fish, dough, bananas, etc.). Although the produce in the area this time of year is good, we haven't had much; I get excited for any vegetables other than starchy ones (a bowl of broccoli would be amazing). Out diet has also been lacking sufficient roughage and I'm curious how much it will affect us and for how long (roughage cleans out your intestines - helps you poop).

Anyway, back to Morogoro. We are staying at CCT (Christian Council Tanzania) where I am binking w/ Lisa, Carolyn, & Geneva. We each have our own room but not running water. To "flush", we pour water from a bucket into the toilet - at least we have a toilet (& electricity!). We are at the bottom of some mountains (called Uluguru for a local tribe) and it is beautiful here, not to mention a little cooler, drier, and windier w/ less mosquitoes than Dar es Salaam.

Since we got here so late, we weren't able to start out language lessons as scheduled. We're chomping at the bit to get started on our formal Kiswahili (language of Swahili) lessons.

PCHQ

We were finally let out of teh Msimbazi Centre today. On the drive to PCHQ-Tz (Peace Corps Headquarters-Tanzania), it was finally obvious that we are in the third world. The store and houses are largely in very poor shape w/ rusted, corrugated roofs. There are people everywhere walking, biking, riding, & driving. The roads are very busy and traffic does not always follow signs or lights so there are now traffic cops dressed in white directing traffic - I would be scared for my life. We also saw the Indian Ocean!

When we got to the PC compound, not only did we have to pass through a guarded gate, one guard took a mirror on a pole to look under the vehicle. Made me realize how easy it would be for someone on the street to surrepticiously place something under the vehicle, especially with all of teh people selling goods in the street to stopped cars.

We were at PCHQ all day where we got a tour, had a few presentations, opened bank accounts, and ate. The compound is quite nice and has a Voluteer lounge with books (regular to take out and reference to read there) and 4 computers w/ 1 printer. I was able to get online and write a few e-mails, which was nice b/c I didn't have to pay. After we got back to the Msimbazi Centre, a bunch of us played Ultimate Frisbee again and again it was awesome...except for Paul, who sprained his ankle.Trees along outside wall of PCHQ-Tz with tall Lisa and Vero

Some vehicles and building at PCHQ-Tz

Long day of talks but they really tried to scare us today. Security from US Embassy came to give overview of safety & security in Tz. US State Dept has Tz listed @ critical level b/c of so many crimes but most are petty crimes. Almost all are burglaries or robberies. Mostly we have to be careful where we put money and valuables in the house and while in public. He did give us a few tips on how to decrease our chances of being robbed or having stuff stolen. Even if we do have somethign taken, we have to be careful about calling the person out on it. If other Tanzanians hear that the person just stole from you, they are likely to severely or fatally beat the person. So we have to think about the actual importance of our things. Are our things more important than someone's life?

Only had 1 shot today - Hepatitis A. Abunch of us (~20) played some Frisbee in the Drive/parking lot (packed ground w/ some rocks/gravel). Game had to be suspended when the Frisbee ended up on the roof of the Centre. While we waited for someone to get it down, a few kicked a soccer ball around and involved a few young kids. Eventually did get disc down and resumed play. It was great to run around, get a little physical (& not get hurt), and wear "regular" clothes. Since shorts are inappropriate for women here, I wore pants and rolled them to capri length; hot but better than a skirt. Wearing a reguT-shirt was alos nice. :-)
I have already started to feel the restrictions of being a woman in Tz. As someone who grew up playing sports and wearing shorts to exercise, it is hard to see the guys ready to play and I can't do the same. Loose pants or capris are OK for women but tso hot and not nearly as comfortable as shorts. It is going to be hard for me to exercise here in the required clothing and feel like I actually worked out but not overdue it in the heat. Jealous? Yes, I'm a bit jealous of the guys and people elsewhere who don't have such restrictions on exercise clothing. However, many of the other female volunteers/trainees are used to being active so we are in this together.

Bathing

Luckily we have running water @ Msimbazi Centre. I have been bathing daily and learning how to use a bucket bath. Although there is a shower head, the water has not stayed separated - it forms one stream. Plus, I want to get used to a bucket bath before going to live w/ my host family. What is a bucket bath? Put water in a bucket and use a plastic cup (approx. size of pint) to pour water over you. The hand that is not pouring can be used to help direct water flow or move hair around to get it all wet. I feel like a little kid when they get a bath. The water is cool but air temps are in the high 70's so it is actually refreshing.

AFRICA!!

Layover in Zurich was only about an hour but it was great to see German again (same with hearing and seeing it on the flight). The flight to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania was about 10 hours with a short stop in Nairobi, Kenya to let pasengers off and to refuel. I changed into a dress at this point b/c we were supposed to make a good impression upon arrival. Andrea, our Country Director (CD) met us at Customs and we got through very quickly. All the bags arrived without incident too (picture)! The bags were loaded onto an armored truck and we got into 2 buses/vans. When we arrived at Msimbazi Centre, we were given snacks and malaria prophylaxis pills. We all have our own room at this hostel and even our own bathrooms with flush toilets! Before bed, I explored the grounds a bit with 4 others then took a shower - running water too! Slept under a mosquito net for the first time to keep from getting eaten alive by the numerous little buggers. Smaller than back home but still itch when they get you!

Rocky!

Roomed w/ Megan last night and we both got up early to take a run even though I didn't sleep too well. On the way out, we met up w/ Justin and Jordon and ran to the Museum of Art. We saw the Rocky statue and ran up the steps just like in the Rocky movies. Now I can check that off the list :-).
Our group took 2 buses to JFK airport in NY and got there early so we had to wait for the desks to open for Swiss Air. A few of us threw a Frisbee until I accidentally threw it into a TSA area - luckily it wasn't being used yet...opps. For lunch, I ate Grandma's meatballs; best last meal in the States! Our flight to Zurich went fine but I developed a head cold before leaving so that was a bit annoying.
Ghee throwing the Frisbee @ JFK

Instant Friends

Today, I officially joined Peace Corps (PC). On the plane to Philadelphia for staging, I met George, who is part of my training group. Neither of us could believe there was someone else from Central NY going to Tanzania. We talked the whole way and it was the perfect way to start my PC experience. At the airport, we saw 2 women who were also joining PC but they are headed to Azerbaijan. Took awhile to get through registration but we (n=39) were all instant friends at staging. My cousin Melissa made the ~1 hour drive out and took me to dinner where I had a delicious burger :-). Then we met up with other PC trainees (PCT) for a drink. It was great to spend some time w/ Melissa and get to know other PCTs.

Out in Philly after orientation. Front: Kat, Kathryn, Megan, Megan. Back: Ghee, Eric, George, Amanda, & Megan's fiancee

Passed!!

I was in Utah last week to defend my Master's thesis/project and passed! Although I still had some edits to do, I got the sheet signed that I needed. I submitted the final edits to my department on Sunday and it feels sooo great! Our office assistant, Brian, will take care of any small formatting edits and get the copies bound for me. I'm finally done! Yay!!

I came home on Saturday and went to the SU football game; glad I got to go to a game before I depart. Yesterday was our parish picnic and (separately) a going away party for me. It was great to see friends and family one more time. Professor Koddermann was even able to come for a bit.

This morning I was able to see a bunch of teachers at my alma mater. So as I've gotten in a lot of good-byes as I try to take care of some business things before I leave (like paying off my credit card). Must go be productive now!

In the beginning...

Although I have yet to leave for the Peace Corps, there are several things that I can inform you about now. I fly out of Syracuse on Wednesday morning, 22 September, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There is staging (orientation) that afternoon and evening. The whole group of us leaves the next morning for JFK Airport in New York. We fly out Thursday evening (23rd) and arrive in Zurich the next morning (because of the time change). With very little turnover time, we fly out to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania via Nairobi, Kenya.

I will be in Dar es Salaam for a week before we are moved a few hours away to the training center. It is at this time we will be placed with a host family that we live with for the 9 weeks of training. Most of my training will be in a small village with a small group and the large group will only get together once a week (Friday).

Swearing-in (like the military) is scheduled for 24 November if we pass our language proficiency review/test/thingy. That is when we become official volunteers, not trainees. So I have 2 months to learn Swahili! Exactly too, since we arrive on 24 September. Crazy, I know!

After I swear-in, I will be placed in a village or town somewhere else in the country. That is when I am on my own and will start teaching secondary Chemistry (ie high school). After training, I will have a 'local' address that I may receive mail at. However, during training I may receive mail at the following address:

Amanda Schulz, PCT
Peace Corps Training Site
PO Box 9123
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

PCT - Peace Corps Trainee
PCV - Peace Corps Volunteer

This address is mostly valid for the duration of my time in Tanzania. After training, just change the PCT to PCV and take out the "Peace Corps Training Site" line.