So, we do have our other blog going on, and since I have yet to figure out how to put up a links column (I know, how MIT of me?) I figured I would share it with any readers here as it has pictures already up:
http://samandrobheadeast.blogspot.com
I will keep updating this as well with non-academic/'uwo' approved writings.
:)
Friday, October 27, 2006
Thursday, October 26, 2006
someone ate half our goat?!
I felt the need for a full fledged update on our African adventures. Our blog via Western is wonderful, but not really set up for the social/adventurous aspects to our time here in Mwanza.
First of all, I am starting to really fall in love with all aspects of the lifestyle here. One of my previous pet peeves in life was being late, I hated it. But over here everyone who shows up late claims that they are running on 'Africa time' so scheduling rendez vous, and meetings can be hell...but I am starting to love the idea of leaving at 1 for a 1 o'clock meeting half an hour away.
I have always been adventurous in the food department, but this week Sam and I were delivered a raw de-feathered chicken in a bag (sorry vegetarians) and had to hop on the 'butcher' band wagon and give it our best. We ended up with two wonderfully cooked chicken wings, chicken soup (yes, we boiled the bones for 'stock'), and amazing chicken sandwiches.
We feasted on goat on saturday night (but the host of the party did notice the chefs who cooked it also helped themselves to half of the meat). The goat was interestingly tasty...just in case you were curious.
We spent the weekend living up the 'night life' in Mwanza. Some very interesting adventures.
Friday we had a night spent at 'all ends of the spectrum'. We started at a very local restaurant for dinner where a few drinks, and a filling meal came to about $5 Canadian. We moved onto the Talapia, the tourist-y hotel (absolutely stunning) where a dinner and drinks would run about $15 Canadian (drinks alone $2/each). We then ended up at the night club the Rock, which was an interesting adventure of pit pocketers (nothing stolen, just having hands in my pockets all night), and intense dancing.
Saturday was the goat roast and Rumourz, an interesting night of typical North American bars (it felt like I was at Molly Blooms, but with more dancing).
Sunday Sam and I decided to laze around and head out to Tunza, a 'closed' resort that is open to white people in the area, and watch the sunset...
This week has been very busy with getting in touch with all of the organizations in the area, including more visits to the Yogurt Mama's (a group of inspiring, and hilarious women) as well as another trip to the orphanage for a swimming adventure... The children there are hilarious and love trying to learn english, and are so proud to teach you Swahili (pictures to come).
Speaking of pictures, I have posted some on the Western-linked blog (linked through my 'dashboard' until I get the address of Sam) if you would like to see the apartment and our pet 'Toby'.
Tuesday night was our wildest adventure yet, fit for my blog of intersting stories from the night life. Sam and I were out celebrating Eid (a Muslim holiday I believe that is a two day holiday in Tanzania) and we headed out to the Rock.
It was packed. After paying cover and moving through the concert on the patio we made it inside. I had people pulling me aside saying 'watch your pockets, watch all your stuff, people are after the mzungu's' which is always an interesting way to start the night (mzungu= us white people). Sam and I decided to stay on top of our game by avoiding the bar, but we quickly realized that the place might be too busy for us and we should leave.
Jody, another Canadian volunteer, wanted water and to step outside so I told her I would go with her. We got near the doorway (a tunnel like hallway) and everyone started pushing and shoving (apparently the concert had just ended and everyone outside wanted in, and vice versa)...So Jodi and I were stuck in the mix, clinging to eachother while being tossed around and into others/the wall... Finally, after a little break we got our footing and stood off to the side in the main entrance. Not two seconds later someone grabbed my shirt and yelled 'MOVE' so we were back in the chaos.
I was holding onto my pockets as hands were going inside them, but also trying to wave at Sam and our friends to start moving outside as it was getting too wild. Jodi and I were launched out of the doorway and landed safely off to the side. We found some of our local friends who came to see if we were okay as we began contacting the others.
Our German friends came outside and some had their pockets slit inside and money stolen ( and by slit I mean all of their pockets cut open). We decided we should leave.
Apparently they saw the guy who stole the money and went after him, I watched them return after being hit by locals and having sore arms now deciding it was a lost cause (only $20, not worth fighting for).
We rounded up our group and watched the craziness unfold as we headed outside: fights, people arguing, dancing to no music, really intoxicated people, etc.
Outside I was talking to our friend Mbamba and someone kept grabbing my arm, after a quick headbutt from Mbamba the guy was leaving our group (sam and I hopped in our friends car to leave) and left more craziness behind.
We were going to try another venue, but we realized this was our cue to call it a night. Normally not this crazy, but a day full of celebrating had led to a crazy night (probably better described with visuals, and hand gestures...but you can use your imagination).
Anyways, everything here is still going wondefully and we are actually hosting a surprise party for Jodi tonight! We have planned mini-Canadian nights for our time here (Halloween night, Christmas, etc).
Hope everyone is safe and warm at home :)
First of all, I am starting to really fall in love with all aspects of the lifestyle here. One of my previous pet peeves in life was being late, I hated it. But over here everyone who shows up late claims that they are running on 'Africa time' so scheduling rendez vous, and meetings can be hell...but I am starting to love the idea of leaving at 1 for a 1 o'clock meeting half an hour away.
I have always been adventurous in the food department, but this week Sam and I were delivered a raw de-feathered chicken in a bag (sorry vegetarians) and had to hop on the 'butcher' band wagon and give it our best. We ended up with two wonderfully cooked chicken wings, chicken soup (yes, we boiled the bones for 'stock'), and amazing chicken sandwiches.
We feasted on goat on saturday night (but the host of the party did notice the chefs who cooked it also helped themselves to half of the meat). The goat was interestingly tasty...just in case you were curious.
We spent the weekend living up the 'night life' in Mwanza. Some very interesting adventures.
Friday we had a night spent at 'all ends of the spectrum'. We started at a very local restaurant for dinner where a few drinks, and a filling meal came to about $5 Canadian. We moved onto the Talapia, the tourist-y hotel (absolutely stunning) where a dinner and drinks would run about $15 Canadian (drinks alone $2/each). We then ended up at the night club the Rock, which was an interesting adventure of pit pocketers (nothing stolen, just having hands in my pockets all night), and intense dancing.
Saturday was the goat roast and Rumourz, an interesting night of typical North American bars (it felt like I was at Molly Blooms, but with more dancing).
Sunday Sam and I decided to laze around and head out to Tunza, a 'closed' resort that is open to white people in the area, and watch the sunset...
This week has been very busy with getting in touch with all of the organizations in the area, including more visits to the Yogurt Mama's (a group of inspiring, and hilarious women) as well as another trip to the orphanage for a swimming adventure... The children there are hilarious and love trying to learn english, and are so proud to teach you Swahili (pictures to come).
Speaking of pictures, I have posted some on the Western-linked blog (linked through my 'dashboard' until I get the address of Sam) if you would like to see the apartment and our pet 'Toby'.
Tuesday night was our wildest adventure yet, fit for my blog of intersting stories from the night life. Sam and I were out celebrating Eid (a Muslim holiday I believe that is a two day holiday in Tanzania) and we headed out to the Rock.
It was packed. After paying cover and moving through the concert on the patio we made it inside. I had people pulling me aside saying 'watch your pockets, watch all your stuff, people are after the mzungu's' which is always an interesting way to start the night (mzungu= us white people). Sam and I decided to stay on top of our game by avoiding the bar, but we quickly realized that the place might be too busy for us and we should leave.
Jody, another Canadian volunteer, wanted water and to step outside so I told her I would go with her. We got near the doorway (a tunnel like hallway) and everyone started pushing and shoving (apparently the concert had just ended and everyone outside wanted in, and vice versa)...So Jodi and I were stuck in the mix, clinging to eachother while being tossed around and into others/the wall... Finally, after a little break we got our footing and stood off to the side in the main entrance. Not two seconds later someone grabbed my shirt and yelled 'MOVE' so we were back in the chaos.
I was holding onto my pockets as hands were going inside them, but also trying to wave at Sam and our friends to start moving outside as it was getting too wild. Jodi and I were launched out of the doorway and landed safely off to the side. We found some of our local friends who came to see if we were okay as we began contacting the others.
Our German friends came outside and some had their pockets slit inside and money stolen ( and by slit I mean all of their pockets cut open). We decided we should leave.
Apparently they saw the guy who stole the money and went after him, I watched them return after being hit by locals and having sore arms now deciding it was a lost cause (only $20, not worth fighting for).
We rounded up our group and watched the craziness unfold as we headed outside: fights, people arguing, dancing to no music, really intoxicated people, etc.
Outside I was talking to our friend Mbamba and someone kept grabbing my arm, after a quick headbutt from Mbamba the guy was leaving our group (sam and I hopped in our friends car to leave) and left more craziness behind.
We were going to try another venue, but we realized this was our cue to call it a night. Normally not this crazy, but a day full of celebrating had led to a crazy night (probably better described with visuals, and hand gestures...but you can use your imagination).
Anyways, everything here is still going wondefully and we are actually hosting a surprise party for Jodi tonight! We have planned mini-Canadian nights for our time here (Halloween night, Christmas, etc).
Hope everyone is safe and warm at home :)
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
pinch me... I'm dreaming.
So, life in Africa?
Can't be described.
So far Sam and I have conquered the first few tasks: getting running water (just got it as we left for this cafe), getting groceries (from the scary, intense market), and getting comfortable enough with our Swahili to venture out alone.
I cannot describe the millions of differences between here and Canada. For starters, everyone's laid back attitude is wonderful. The idea that if something isn't done today, there is always tomorrow. People take long breaks (in exchange for long work days) and also walk at their own rates.
Little tasks (running to the store) often takes you more than half an hour as you stop to talk to everyone and everyone around us is checking up on how we are doing.
Pendo, our amazing house keeper, is phenomenal. Although I cannot understand her, you can follow her by her actions and her warm welcoming smile. She calls us her 'second children' and will watch us when we are away from home.
That AND she helped us survive the market, a crazy adventure on its own. The market is unlike anything I have ever seen. People pulling at your arms, people yelling at you, people looking into your bags, trying to reach into your pockets (mainly the street kids), and finally people just trying to be friendly...it is crazy, but definately an experience.
More to come, but I have to work through my inbox of insanity at present :)
Can't be described.
So far Sam and I have conquered the first few tasks: getting running water (just got it as we left for this cafe), getting groceries (from the scary, intense market), and getting comfortable enough with our Swahili to venture out alone.
I cannot describe the millions of differences between here and Canada. For starters, everyone's laid back attitude is wonderful. The idea that if something isn't done today, there is always tomorrow. People take long breaks (in exchange for long work days) and also walk at their own rates.
Little tasks (running to the store) often takes you more than half an hour as you stop to talk to everyone and everyone around us is checking up on how we are doing.
Pendo, our amazing house keeper, is phenomenal. Although I cannot understand her, you can follow her by her actions and her warm welcoming smile. She calls us her 'second children' and will watch us when we are away from home.
That AND she helped us survive the market, a crazy adventure on its own. The market is unlike anything I have ever seen. People pulling at your arms, people yelling at you, people looking into your bags, trying to reach into your pockets (mainly the street kids), and finally people just trying to be friendly...it is crazy, but definately an experience.
More to come, but I have to work through my inbox of insanity at present :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)