Nov 15

So its been an eventful few weeks. I've finished the training at our Community Based Training (CBT) school and now we just have the big group training sessions. It was a cool send off. Last Friday we had a big school assembly and I made an impromptu speech to 300 some kids, then we prepared a speech in KiSwahili to the teachers and gave it later to them at a seperate teacher assembly. AND I got a new kaanga, which is an African garment or at least East African. They are basically like all purpose fabric. You can take it to a fundi and have it sewed into a dress or shirt ( its cheaper in some cases to have one sewn than to buy one...sweet I know...), or you can just wrap it around your waist like a towel, and do housework or wrap it around your waist when you are in public and wearing pants but don't want to offend *instant skirt!*, or even in long distance trip situation you can use it as cover for you when you have to go pee. Also when you are in a formal place you use them to go outside to the shower, or at funerals women will wrap them into head scarf's *respectiful tradition I think* or if you want to carry water on your head you can make it into a head handkerchief to help balance things out. Wew! Its alot I know. I'm also assuming you all are like me and had never heard of them before. But really if you look at national geographic pictures it'll make so much more sense! Also there is the kitange, which is basically a big kaanga with no words. And then all the normal fabric you might wear in the states is called kitamba. Its generally somewhat finer fabric and also thicker (which means hotter here!).
So I'm done with my cultural lesson I swear! Anyway, we had the assembly I got the zawadi (gift in Kiswahili), and then Sunday we went out with the faculty and they bought us drinks. It was really fun.
Also happy upcoming hanksgiving to everyone. I head out tomorrow for my shadow visit, and I won't be returning until thanksgiving. Also when I return I will know where I will be posted for the next few years! Am I excited...just a bit! Especially now that I'm finished with one of the last exams! Woot! We finished the written kiswahili today and of course it was great. I think it was really fine though. Hamna shida! ( No problems!)
Also to explain, a shadow visit is basically where I and another trainee go and shadow a volunteer whos been working for a while now. We just pretty much follow them around and see what they are doing and how life really is like when we get to our sites. I'll be shadowing in Mafinga, which is in the region of Iringa for all you geography buffs, but apparently where you shadow is not related at all to where you will actually be so chances are I won't be placed there. HOWEVER, I did here it was cold there, which I must admit I am mighty excited about. After this we will return to Dar es Salaam, find out our sites, eat a quick thanksgiving dinner with the US ambassador (yes really!..I'm excited!) and come back to Morogoro that day.
So cross your fingers for a cool spot for me these next two years, and I' ll cross my fingers that you all will have a nice thaksgiving as well!
Love all, and best wishes

p.s. I've been reading a book this week called "The Road to Hell" and its really phenomenal book about aid organizations so I do have to recommend it sincerely, although I know its somewhat disheartening to read. Just remember "the truth will set you free" and also that the author isn't completely right just alot of the time.

p.p.s. Also its like 3 days until Michigan beats Ohio State at football so I'm excited. PLease PLEASE don't tell me the score, I'm getting it sent here and gonna watch it on TV with an OSU dude! Crazy I know. Anyway, GO BLUE BEAT THE buckeyes.