A week in the life of Tanzania ** graphic warning **

Since the last time I wrote, I have had so many new experiences that I hardly know where to begin. A brief summary includes an attack by killer bees, a visit to a local hospital, a tour of the slums of Arusha with a local, a hike up to an incredible waterfall and a Maasai village, and the best dinner ever.

Perhaps I should begin with the most … exciting?? Last Friday afternoon, yes, even the day before I posted my last blog entry, I was out with many from our Volunteer House, past the east end of Arusha in an area called Usa River. Several of my covolunteers work out there, in an orphanage/school/widows support centre/eco park. Every Friday evening they host a party of sorts, with local food, drinks and dancing to enjoy. It had been less then 10 minutes after arrival when one of the boys threw a rock at a bee hive on the premises. Now a word about African bees: they are tough, focused and dedicated to the end. AND they like the smell of Burt’s Bees products. So – I was fresh meat.

Once the bees found me, I can’t describe to you how scary it was. They swarmed everywhere, stinging like mad, and I was only able to escape what I can’t imagine when a local family living in a hut nearby threw a sarong to me. It covered me which stopped the bees momentarily so I could run into their hut. They kindly kept me safe, picking out over 50 bees out of my skin and hair. Arms, legs, hands and head were ripe targets. The family was incredibly nice, speaking in Kiswahili and repeating over and over “pole” for sorry. After some 45 min I was able to leave the hut, and with help made it to the main road to jump into a dala dala (local “public transit” – more on that later) which eventually took me to a hospital.

I will skip some of the adventure in lieu of time and space to tell you that while the government run hospitals are cheap, this one was extremely basic. The doctor hardly assessed me, basically saying, why were you playing with bees? The nurses wished to inject me straight away with hydrocortisone, which in my stressed and pained state I simply agreed to because at that moment I thought there could be nothing worse than how I was feeling. I should also mention that during the attack, I had dropped my purse with all ID, money and phone in the middle of a field. Thankfully it was returned to me later entirely intact.

In Mount Meru hospital I am quite sure that the person two beds over was dying of TB, and the man in the next bed was suffering from AIDS-related complications. The bedsheet was bloodstained and the tub they gave me to relieve my adrenaline stomach ache was dirty. No one gave me a tissue to wipe my face of tears, snot and vomit. But like I said, there were bigger issues at that hospital. Needless to say, I am glad I made it through the end of that entire experience, although I am still fighting the ridiculous itching of many many bee stings that resurfaced after several days. Ahh, the human body. Best friend, worst enemy. I owe a particular thanks to Michelle, a woman from Ottawa area who is at the Vol. House with me, who helped me out a ton, getting me to the hospital and out again. I would have been in a much worse state without her.

Due to time and space considerations, I will cut this one off for now and catch up again in the next few days. So many of the things I have experienced are due their own entries and space for reflection on their own.

I wish you all well and I welcome comments and questions.

Best of love,
Erin

First post from Arusha, Tanzania

Hello friends and family!
This is my first post, after being here a week, not including 12 hours in Kenya and an 8 hour bus ride from Nairobi to Arusha. I have so much to tell you so I realize I had better commit to at least weekly postings, if not more. For those of you that read Amber's blog from her trip here last fall, I regret that I doubt my postings will be that long or detailed. Sitting at a computer for more than an hour is rather tedious and the internet is sloooow, at times. Not my regular life, but not much of it is here!
Here are a few tidbits to tantalize you:
- I am staying, at least for now, at Volunteer House, in Sakina, Arusha. It is quite fancier than what I had expected, with proper flush toilets and often hot showers. I am in a room of 4 women, on bunks and while the space it tight, we all seem to get along well. We are expecting a new roommie this evening to replace the Irish doctor who left after 3 weeks, which, for her, included establishing the beginnings of a med clinic for remote Maasai people - see I told you I have so much to tell you!!
- The other volunteers range in age from 19-39, from all over the world, and here for all sorts of reasons. But even my first night I was able to engage in a thoughtful and critical conversation about foreign volunteerism, African culture and the expectations of "Westerners", and power. Quite interesting.
- I am currently teaching full time at a local English- based school, very close to where I am staying and they seem to want to give me whatever I would like. So far, I have 3 or 4 French classes a week - which is a bit confusing when I leave the school and people address me in Kiswahili! I am also teaching several levels of English and some social studies, although that may change as my knowledge of African politics and geography is to be desired. The school is small and private and while is it certainly the barebones compared to what we have at home, I don't necessarily feel I am doing the best work for why I came here. For example several of my co-volunteers are working in orphanges, for AIDS, for special needs, for Maasai women, etc. The children at my school seem rather priviledged, and even yesterday (was it yesterday??) a student asked how much I would charge to teach him English after school. An honour, certainly, but seriously?? On the whole the students are lovely, work very hard and do not seem to take education for granted in the way ours do, often.
- The town of Arusha is yet to be explored in great depth - today perhaps. I teach until 3pm
and really it is best to be back home by 6 or 630pm to be safe. We can taxi home in the dark as long as we are in a group. Mzungu is the word heard most often - meaning Western, or White, person - and sometimes it is said as a greeting, or a comment or sometimes even somewhat aggressively, although that is rare. I would say the majority of my encounters with locals have been overwhelmingly positive. I have a particular story to tell you but it will have to wait til next time, for a few reasons... now are you curious??? ;)
- I saw my first view of Mt. Kilimanjaro, through the clouds yesterday. It was truly a site and I got chills up my spine. Eventually, all being well, I will say that I have looked at the world from the top of it. The plan is perhaps the end of June, as a number of us Vols are interested together, which would be nice, and much cheaper. Arusha is at the base of Mount Meru, and while it is impressive, it's lack of snow and wilder (ie. animals, less paths) reputation does not call to me in the same way. Kili first, then who knows from there.
... This is getting longer than I thought...
- My journey here from Canada was on the whole uneventful, quite comfortable and the most bothersome thing about it was the VERY smelly man who sat beside me on the flight from Zurich to Nairobi. Thankfully the plane was half full and I was able to move and take up a short row to myself, for napping. The bus from Nairobi to Arusha was simply a stunning ride, with not a moment of sleeping. Maasai with their herds around every bend, the landscape, the interspersal of bumpy roads and slick highway (when the driver certainly took advantage of highspeed motion!).
- The food here is alright - favourites include beans and maize (forget the name of this meal), AVOCADOS the size of a child's head which are incredibly tastey and beautiful (may never, sadly be able to eat one at home again!!), bananas, cheap beer are all good. Missing my usual dose of yoghurt and ice cream in my diet, and a post-dinnner group journey to the grocery store for little ice creams is an evening outing. I am trying to stay healthy, walking and running when possible, but the air is a bit thinner and much more polluted than home so a slower pace is prefered for sure.
So, that is my week in a very small nut shell.
I will do this again in a week and if you write me individually I will do my best to reply in time.
I miss Canada, and friends and family, but I am very much enjoying my adventure here on my own (with a bunch of random foreigners ;)). Too early to be homesick, me thinks!
Big hugs to all!
Peace,
Erin in Arusha

Time for an update.

First, I should post a new picture of my niece, just cuz she is the cutest. 9 out of 10 grad students agree! Either that or my friends are just being polite and trying to get me to take the picture away from in front of their face.

On the weekend, during a multiple hour car ride, I learned to entertain Freya (ok, and myself) by drawing a face on the bottom of my foot and waving it in front of her. Babies love to laugh at anything that has a face. So forget those crazy storebought fancy toys - just put two big eyes and a sort of mouth on anything and that is fun. Also, two Mr. Sub sandwich bags, crinkled up a bit make GREAT fake drumsticks. Minutes of playtime guaranteed, which in the grand scheme of a 7 month old, is a lot of quality time.

Freya also discovered that my feet are funny for other reasons last weekend. She decided that bending over while I held her, she had a great view of my feet in strappy heels and that was just the funniest thing to her. And when she giggles, you can't HELP but laugh. It is the nicest, sweetest sound in the whole world, I think. And another fun time we had was when I made her a little nest of pillows on the hotel bed, played and danced to electronica music and she bounced along with me from her nest in the pillows. Nearly caught on video too, but she got camera shy for some reason. What a little clown she is!:)

Welcome Freya Mae!

This is my adorable niece. Born on March 16th at night, she is already such an interesting person. She likes milk and laughing and sunshine and a clean bum. She is just small but powerful and I have an idea that she might be an Ultimate Fighting Champion one day. I didn't know that a newborn could lift her head - but maybe it is just part of the twitching that all her little muscles and nerves are doing as they grow. Anyway, I am looking forward to many more days and months and years of joy with her.

These are a few of my favourite things...

I haven't met him yet, but I have another new cousin. Well, first Ethan was born about a month ago and he is so small and cute! And then just the other day, Henry was born. He is also adorable and somehow, if it's possible, he already is hamming for the cameras. But he does come from performer stock. And I am not even talking about what his parents do for a living. But since it wouldn't be right for me to post photos of the two little ones on my blog, I will instead post a photo of someone near and dear to me, in drag. I won't say who it is, exactly, I will just leave that to the imagination.

In other news, March Break is coming, spring will follow soon after that, and there is a sense of anticipation in the air. Maybe it is the continued wait for yet another baby to join our family; maybe it is the end of the semester coming; maybe it is just the typical romantic notion of spring that we have. Bunnies, and all that.

What is normal?

Is it worth having expectations? I stand by the idea that having expectations, while, yes, can lead to disappointment when they are not fulfulled, but can lead to even better things by starting out on the right path. So I do have expectations. And I am open to the idea that I may be disappointed (and working on my response, thereby) but also open to the idea that by starting with a certain framework, I can build from it. So when someone breaks open my framework a little, I take pause, I think, hmm, is this normal? Is it strange that I feel strange? It is odd that what he is doing makes me feel odd? No, no and no. If the framework cracks a little, then it isn't right, for me. So I question it, I feel it out, I poke around. Say, "hey, Mr. Strangeguy, why are you doing that? What do you expect me to do now? I feel like I am not understanding you." And if the answer is amenable to my concerns, like, "Gee, I didn't realize, does this make you feel weird? Let's try it a different way", well, that's alright. But if the response is, "Hey, this is me, deal with it" then my framework cracks a little more and needs a lot more mending. On its own. Without Mr. Strangeguy. All this to say, sometimes the expectations of one person do not match with the expectations of another. And imagine, we even speak the same language.

Why do we do this to each other?

The world can be an ugly, ugly place. I just saw the movie Blood Diamond. I knew something about the diamond industry and how it has funded or endorsed horrible carnage and civil wars in certain parts of Africa, which I learned from Human Cargo, a CBC miniseries back in 2004. But seeing the images of the child soldiers was so wrenching. There are few things I can imagine are worse for the future of any nation or the world, than to not actually kill children but to render them senseless to violence, to pain and to humanity by virtue of forcibly turning them into soldiers. I cried a lot. Because it is not something that happened 100 years ago, and boo hoo, well, at least that's over. This something that is still happening TODAY. UNICEF has a bit of information about it. It makes me sick to think about it. It is hard to go about everyday, easy life when you know things like this are taking place - I guess it is my job to do what I can, in my own way. I guess I am not in equity studies for nothing, at least I hope not.

With all due respect to Postsecret...

This picture is from this very cool website Postsecret and it really speaks to me. I am a conflicted extrovert: I love to spend time alone AND with other people and sometimes, there is so much happiness in being alone, I just wish I could share it with someone else. But therein lies the connundrum, because once that alone time is shared, it is obviously no long alone. I think life is like that a lot. A catch-22, of sorts. We are most pure in our selves and we become tainted by the judgements we perceive from others, real or fabricated. Even positively. Postsecret changes late every Saturday night (EST) and I look forward to it each week. I may invest in the books.

Sometimes, when I am sleeping next to someone, I wish they wouldn't want to sleep because I want them to feel like I do, that if we are together, we shouldn't need to sleep. But then sometimes I am just really tired too. I want to find that person who wants to stay up all night with me, until the time that we both know that when we wake up in the morning, together, we will just keep the conversation going.

is life really too short or am i just not effecient enough?

Learning about eBay

My sister found the box set of Six Feet Under for sale on eBay, so through the magic of credit cards and her penchant for buying things online, we will soon be the proud owners of the set. I will look forward to watching it when I am finished grad school and have time for such frivolities. Mind you, it could be a good date activity. It would be a good test of humour, attention span, compassion and general quirkiness, to watch that show together. Something to consider.

In the meantime, I am content to have lovely, intimate dinners in cozy restaurants. Candles, dim lights, "talking or not talking" (Best in Show reference) - and I must admit I am a big fan of good "not talking". :)

Since tomorrow is an early day in grade four that ends late on an ultimate field, I am going to call it a night. My bed calls to me with the voice of a rather large, puffy yet solid, angel...

Time to get organized

Today I called the wrong number and asked for the wrong person. I felt so sure about myself when I called, totally expecting to speak to the right person. But a strange voice answered and said, "No, I am not that person, but you can talk to me. Who is this?" To which I replied, "Well, if you aren't that person, then I don't need to tell you who it is." Which felt a little rude, but at the same time, in this day and age of call display, you really can't win with wrong numbers. He told me to have a nice day. Fair enough, conversation over. At which point I realized my mistake. The number and the person were right. I was wrong. I really need to be better organized in certain areas. Oh boy, I sure do. Lesson learned then, right? Moving on... now, with flow charts, highlighters, paper and pen, all included. And did I mention post-it notes? Those help too, with being organized. And no, my room doesn't like that, yet... Oh, those wacky Germans. You can see what I mean if you click on the picture. But be warned, you must be able sprecken zie Deutch.

Grad school: Where is the gas station?

I am nearly finished a full semester of grad school. I have no idea where the time went. I remember afternoons in the back den trying to read while the sun passed over the back yard. Evenings holed up at my desk, searching and downloading scholarly articles that I could forget to read later. Somehow switching my circadian rhythm to 2am bedtimes and 10am wake times (ahh, windows of natural light, where are you?). Seminars, notes, conferences, notes, lectures, notes, eccentric ramblings, notes. It has been interesting, challenging, and tiring. But ribbons of fun, new friendships, new activities (pilates, tutoring, pub nights...) are well interspersed.
Looking forward to the new year.

It's all new, kids.

Hi,
Wow it has been a while - like nearly 6 months. I guess I have been busy??
I am now in a new city, in a new "job", new home, new life... lots of new. It started off quite strange. Bizarre, really.
Transition between Ottawa and Toronto included nearly two weeks in Northern Saskatchewan. Beautiful.
And no, that has nothing to do with this dolphin.
I am really enjoying this blog though. You wouldn't know it for often I use it.

And I wonder why I am tired...

I have discovered a love in myself of the use of elipses. I seem to use them quite a bit and I am wondering what the deeper meaning of their use is. Since there are handwriting analysts, is it possible there are language-usage analysts? I wonder what they would say about me. That could be a side job, if that doesn't already exist, I bet.
I have found myriad ways to procrastinate from deciding my future.
Will it be U of T or Carleton?
Maybe I should do a survey on here (not that many people are checking it lately, if at all) and see what folks say. I bet I would get some good ideas. AND I bet I am supposed be doing this on my own. Why am I spending time writing this instead of writing to profs about programs?
The thing is, Ottawa is very comfortable right now. Having a massage therapist, a hair dresser, a physiotherapist, a dry cleaner, a shoe repair guy, a banker, and a doctor, all of whom I like and trust, oh yeah and a mechanic as well, these are important people with whom I have built a relationship. Not to mention my friends. I feel like I don't want to up root my life right now. WHY NOT?
I wish I could see a year into the future and know that the choice I will make will be a good one. But ultimately, the choice WILL be a good one, whatever I pursue. I have always felt that way.
Why am I doubting now?
Enough personal blubbering for one night.
Comments are welcome.
Always.

Friday night and who am I?

So today I did a personality/relationship matching test online to find out who I am and who my boyfriend is supposed to be. I have yet to analyse it in depth because for several reasons I am wondering what the results will mean. I will send him the results too. Then we can both decide if an online service is more astute than the two of us and our long distance relationship skills. Some may call it desperation. I call it using all the resources that are available.
Now we are talking 30th birthday parties, community centre balls, and tiaras. Life is getting more interesting all the time. I like it.

Closing ceremonies

Today we are having Indian potluck. I am making spring rolls. I have been informed that is not Indian. I am sure they will be eaten nonetheless.
My sisters are scattered to the breeze. One in BC, one in South Africa. Me, still in Ottawa.
I am very not creative today.
Maybe try again tomorrow.

I might regret this

Tonight I have such a bizarre headache that I feel I have little control over what could come out of my mouth or my fingers, as it were. It doesn`t say much for the fact that I just drove home from Arnprior. I made it here safely, for sure, but that sure is a long dark road.
So now I am thinking about a cup of camomile tea and my bed. Terribly exciting.
I just realized that my baby sister is flying halfway around the world in less than a week and this will be a great way for me to keep in touch with her. It is funny how it is ok for me to live in England for a year, but somehow disconcerting for her to go to South Africa for 4 months. Distance is all relative, I say. Now try to argue that with a geographer.
Alright, I hear the kettle calling. Which says something about this headache, because I haven`t turned the stove on yet.
Until next time...

It's been a week

I can't believe it has been a week. Where does the time go?
Today, for example, I have sat at this computer for 6 HOURS completing grad school apps. SIX HOURS!
The day was broken up a little with visits, phone calls and of course the requisitie skyping. And now, since I haven't eaten since breakfast except for an apple, I have to eat some cheese so I can make it to my dinner date in an hour.
This has not been my favourite day.
I feel half like a hermit, half like someone out of the Matrix. What is my reality?
Part of the problem came from the 3 am bedtime last night after a most enjoyable party, out for a change, as opposed to our house all the time. It is nice not to have to wake up and clean!
I am hearing on the radio now that there is not power in Barrie, so I had better go give home a call to see how they are holding up back there. I just hope at least one of the phone is not electronic still. Otherwise the call will be somewhat useless.
Wow, my brain-less-ness is really showing here.
What's the frequency, Kenneth?

Just another Sunday night

This weekend turned out to be one of those relaxing, productive weekends. I did a lot of things I wanted to do, like buy a rechargeable battery kit and go to the National Gallery. I saw some people I haven`t seen in a long time, including a bunch of little people that grow so fast, they need to been seen much more often.
So here I am Sunday night wishing the weekend would go on forever. Not that I don`t like my work, but there is something so satisfying about doing everything you want in your personal life. Doesn`t it seem so simple?
The National Gallery never ceases to amaze and entice. And today was a real bonus day because: a) I used my membership card for the first time since I got it nearly a year ago; b) I went with a friend who had never been; and c) I got to participate in Artissimo with my 3 year old friend and we both enjoyed it equally. Perhaps me even more than her. Or rather, I more than she? Anyway, there is nothing as good as hanging out with a 3 year old on a Sunday afternoon. At least not this weekend.

Whither the wind blows

Tonight is the first night of my blog. I am a blog virgin, as a writer. I have read them before, and even commented on them. I have even heard CBC radio do a piece on why people do blogs now (narcissism, perhaps? or loneliness? - I am feeling neither...) so at least I have that. But this is my first stab at sharing my thoughts with the world randomly. I guess this is supposed to be like the way some of us write in our journals as if we expect our grandchildren to find them and publish them as memoirs. Yeah, just like that.
At any rate, blogging is a decidedly quasi-intellectual way of procrastinating from writing grad school applications. Much more enjoyable than "passing the vaccuum", as the French are wont to say. Nothing against the French. It just came up today at work. More on that for another day.
In summation, welcome.
Enjoy your stay. Return for the ambiance.