A great start to a new beginning

I have always struggled with starting my blogs. Ideas racing through my mind, feelings jumbled inside of me waiting to be put into words, and this year is no different. Arusha is so much better than I ever could have imagined. I thought it would be dry and dusty with minimal trees scattered across the plains, and yet there are lush trees and bushes almost everywhere I look. The culture is also different than I was expecting, they are very welcoming. On Saturday morning we took a class on Swahili and Tanzania culture, our teacher, Nai, explained to us that they do not care about the time they care about the people. Later when we walked through the market I discovered what this meant; you enter the market and you’re greeted with mambo, jambo, and habari, each with a different response you are to give. At this market we saw many handmade goods including jewelry, clothing and many more intricate, colorful objects. We then went to a food market, which had all kinds of food from spices to passion fruits. The smells of the food enveloped me making me feel like I was in a giant kitchen. At the second market our guide, Rasta John, picked up two eggs and told us that the bigger egg was the mzugyu egg, i.e. the foreign egg that was processed and came from machines; you could buy this egg for cheap. Then he brought out a smaller egg he claimed that it would make you stronger and healthier, because it was from Tanzania, it was an “African Egg”.

                On Sunday we went to a Maasi village, I was nervous that we would not be welcomed, as we were a foreign group coming into their homes. Yet, I was pleasantly surprised when we exited the car and were warmly greeted. We were shown to where they keep their cows, a sacred animal. They explained to us that when cow blood and milk is mixed together it is considered a remedy for illness. We then got dressed in multiple shuka’s and conga’s (basically scarves), and made chapatti, one of the best breads I have ever had. After we finished making the chapatti they brought out goat and salty vegetables, which I gladly received. After eating we danced with the Maasi warriors, they started with high pitched sounds and transitioned into song; their dances consisted of many jumps. These warriors seemed to jump more than two feet into the air. After a whole day at the Maasi village, it began to sink in how nervous I was becoming knowing the next day would be my first day teaching.

                My stomach was twisting into knots as we rolled up to the school. I was terrified of messing up, but in the end I taught and tried to think on my feet. While I still have plenty of room for improvement, I will learn from my mistakes today, and improve throughout the week striving to be the best teacher I can be.

                In all, Tanzania has exceeded all of my expectations from their welcoming culture, to the colorful landscape I see when I look out my window. I have had many memorable experiences in the short time I have been in Arusha starting with the Maasi tribe, teaching, and exploring the markets, I am eagerly anticipating the many more to come.