An Unexpected Surprise

(This is J.R. posting an email that was sent to her blog. Please don't feel bad if Elizabeth doesn't get a chance to respond to your comments.)


This was an unexpected surprise being able to use the Internet again. I really do think that this will be the last time I get on for a long time. Things are still good and they are getting better! They found our luggage in Nairobi and I already have it safe and sound. The Internet here is dial-up and crazy so I might not be able to type very long.

I think I have caught up on sleep now. We are now in a small town called Mafinga. The towns here really remind me of the poorest parts of Mexico. The shops look the same, they sell Coca Cola out of glass bottles, everything is dusty and people are very friendly.

Yesterday we took a 10 hour bus ride from Dar to Mafinga and today we will leave Mafinga and finish the long bus ride to Igoda where we are training. We stayed here in a hotel last night. It would be very shabby for an American hotel, but we thought it was luxurious! We actually had a mattress and running water that (sometimes) worked. We have been eating a lot of beans, rice and chips (aka fries). In the villages they won't have a lot of chips, so we're getting our fill in now!

The 10 hour bus ride was crazy! We drove through safari-like places, and saw monkeys, antelope and giraffes. There was a little girl named Mary that was about 4 years old that sat with me and Abby (Rounda Bout) during the whole bus ride. On our laps. She was so cute! She fell asleep in my arms and called me Mama. Her mom didn't care at all that she was with us. The mom just slept for about 6 hours while we played with her kid! I have some really cute pictures.

I'm getting used to the whole bathroom situation, which is weird. I've never really camped before, so this is a totally new experience for me. I've been taking my malaria meds, vitamins, and wearing my deet bug repellent, so don't worry Mom and Dad! I'm safe.

The people here are really nice to Americans. Today we are going on a scavenger hunt in town. They are giving us 10,000 shillings (which is $10.00) and we are going to get a bunch of food and supplies for our village. It is their way of teaching us language and bartering and such. All the girls (4 of us) are going together. It will be fun I'm sure. We just have to be firm with them.

I'm so happy, guys. I still don't think it has sunk in that I'm going to be here for 4 more months! Right now it is pretty chilly. It warms up during the day though. It's 9am here, and I think like 2am there? I'm not sure. Anyways, my time has run out in this Internet cafe, but I love you all sooooo much and I am safe and happy. Don't worry about me! Things are good. We will have training for the next 2 weeks in Igoda and then we will travel to specific villages.

Love you so much,
Liz