Tanzania Twist: Homestay!

The long-awaited day for us to meet our families arrived but we had to wait until this afternoon to meet them. Morning was spent packing and sleeping and then trying to stuff yet more things from the PC into my bags. I'm glad they're providing the things (like bedsheets, toilet paper, bug killer, etc.) but it would have been easier for us if they just handed us a plastic bag w/ the things when we arrived at our new homes; at least they could have given us the stuff before we packed.

My CBT (Community Based Training) is in Kihonda at Kihonda Secondary School and there are 2 other groups (5 PCTs each) in the same village (n = 15 total). Our group and another took the dame van/bus to Kihonda where we were dropped off one by one. Some people are close to one another but all of us are within walking distance. I am supposed to be close to 2 PCTs from the 3rd group;will probably find out who this week.

We were amazed at how nice many of the homes are that we passed, esp the ones we stopped at. Of course, it makes sense that the more affluent families could afford to have an extra bedroom for someone to sleep in and meet the other requirements the PC has.

My host mama is Beatrice and she has a very nice house. The living room has 5 couches, 2 chairs, a TV w/ DVD and stereo, and coffee tables - all matching. There are 5 bedrooms for the various family members. I am most surprised that there is running water in addition to the electricity. I never thought I'd see a flush squatty potty - amazing.

I'm not sure yet exactly what the family situation is b/c my limited Kiswahili combined with the nervousness & tiredness did not help me understand much of what has been said. I have been able to communicate a little and showed pictures of my family (saving friends for later). Interesting trying to figure out how to say Ireland and explain I have a family in Ireland & Germany too; will probably have to clarify everything later when my Kiswahili is better. Dinner was good and I think they made the chips (small potato wedges) especially for my first meal here.

There was definitely a lot of awkward silence today. Was weird watching TV in English too. This evening we watched some strange movie out of Nigeria that was in English. Then when I was eating dinner, one of the boys was watching the US TV show "The Unit". With all these amenities (full-size bed, TV, running water, utensils for eating, etc.), I wonder if I will ever get to really experience what life id like for most Tanzanians.