HOMECOMING

MAY 13 - MAY 14

There is already so much to write about and brevity is not one of my strengths. I will divide my first week into several postings. I want you to know that while writing this I am enjoying a wonderful glass of watermelon juice!

I flew out of Columbus around noon on May 13^th. The total trip time to Tanzania was 25 hours including a 5 hour layover in Boston. I was able to take 2 - 50 pound bags plus a carry-on. Thanks to so many donations the 2 duffle bags were crammed full. The night before I left I was picking up a few last minute things. Hand sanitizer is a highly desired commodity in Tanzania. Visiting Big Lots I found a 12 ounce bottle for $2. Not thinking I stuffed it in my carry on. So, as you can guess, the security folks at the Columbus airport pulled me aside. I had arrived at the airport several hours ahead of my flight so was not feeling rushed. The gentleman I dealt with was very kind and suggested I check in my carry on as he recognized the importance of hand sanitizer in a developing country. 

I took out a small back pack, packed a few basic necessities and returned to the check in counter. I was told it would be at least $35 (First 2 bags are free). I explained my dilemma and the kind Delta Airlines woman offered to bring up one of the large bags so I could squeeze in the hand sanitizer. I was very impressed with how accommodating everyone was. All this for a $2 purchase! I am quite sure that my efforts will be appreciated as hand sanitizer is a necessity when water is scarce and in situations where there is no plumbing.

The flight from Boston to Amsterdam was 7+ hours. We left Boston at 7pm EST arriving in Amsterdam at 8:30am their time (2:30am EST). This is where jet lag sets in. I flew KLM which is a great airline with very good meals. I watched Saving Mr. Banks and 2 TED talks. I am including the link to one of the TED talks because it gives a wonderful perspective on Africa. (Mandela’s Lesson – Ubuntu by Boyd Varty)  http://www.ted.com/talks/boyd_varty_what_i_learned_from_nelson_mandela

The Amsterdam airport has a meditation center, kids play area, and a library. Sadly I did not have extra time to explore any of these. I did meet a group of students from Georgia State who were on their way to Tanzania for 2.5 weeks to study skin bleaching and the history of slave trade. I was not aware of skin bleaching as a problem in Tanzania and will research this topic and share what I find.

The flight from Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro, my final destination, was 8.5 hours. I slept on and off most of this flight and when I arrived in Tanzania I felt pretty refreshed and, obviously, very excited. It was May 14^th at 9 pm (2pm EST). Immigration was uneventful and my bags arrived safely.

I had been trying to get so much done in preparation for my trip that the fact I was returning to Tanzania felt surreal until I was standing in the queue at Boston to board the flight to Amsterdam. It then became real and the anxiety that I felt during the weeks of planning and packing gave way to authentic, raw excitement. I saw Jonas first. Nie was at the car with Joan who just turned one last week. Seeing Nie and Jonas (TAFCOM founders) at the airport filled me with an overwhelming feeling of coming home. I could have kissed the earth.

The drive from the airport to Pasua was about 45 minutes. Pasua is the village where TAFCOM is located and where I am staying. It is the 2^nd poorest village outside of Moshi. Moshi is a town of about 200,000 (more on this later). Even thought it was dark, the ride flooded me with memories as I saw the familiar sites of 2 years ago….people driving on the other side of the road; people walking at all hours on any kind of road; the smells of rain, wood burning, food cooking - all mixed together to awaken the senses.

We passed Soweto where I stayed in 2012. As we entered Moshi so many sights I remembered, the roundabout, stores, restaurants, hotels.

The highway we traveled on is paved. When we turned out of Moshi to go to Pasua we traveled on dirt roads that are uneven and full of pot holes, many made worse by all the rains. It is the end of the rainy season and this year there has seen an abundance of rain. I learned to appreciate rain in 2012 because for these people rain means the crops grow and they will have food to eat.

The house where I stay is part of a gated compound with multiple units. Along with one of the TAFCOM teachers (Mary) and the young woman who takes care of our unit (Neema), I am the only volunteer staying here. We are the first residents. It is extremely clean and freshly painted. Our unit has a sitting room that also doubles as the kitchen. There is no stove or refrigerator. A small cook stove and a sandwich maker serve as cooking utensils.

My bedroom is wonderful. I have a double bed, desk and my own bathroom with a squatty potty, small sink and shower (no mirror). (A separate posting has pictures and more details.) 

After saying good night to Nie and Jonas I was too wound up to sleep so I did some organizing. Before bed Neema said, “Jisikia nyumbani” which means “Feel at home.” Such an understatement!