One week in Arusha!

Dearest everyone, it's my one-week anniversary in Arusha, I just realized! Well, today I celebrated (I guess) by taking the daladala (public bus) by myself for the first time. I'd like to make this mode of transport a comfortable option, if possible, because it's extremely cheap, faster than walking, avoids unnecessary use of fuel, etc. So I successfully got onto the correct bus (the Kisongo line) and, with the help of a very kind old woman next to me to who conversed with me mainly via hand gesture, got off at the right stop! Getting around is not easy or relaxing, but if you keep your head about you, it's perfectly safe, and anyway I have to get used to it sometime ...

Doing work for my job (helping manage the Suzuki program, corresponding with parents, doing US non-profit funding research on the internet) can be really comforting when things start to feel chaotic here. It's good for me to remember that I did come here to do a job, and that I can be helpful and productive even as I'm getting settled into third-world living. Of course, for me it's mostly first-world conditions: hot showers, internet, clean clothes, good Indian restaurants, rations of dark chocolate, etc. But occasionally the energy required to deter theft, or the unannounced power cuts (on Sunday night we had no electricity for thirteen hours or more), remind me of where I am.

In general, I'm feeling fine. I got to talk to my entire family yesterday on the phone, which was truly great. I got choked up of course. I'm talking with Tyler as often as we can manage, though I miss him terribly and the time difference and other communication barriers are taking some getting used to. He's being extremely patient, and I'm grateful. I'm already dreaming of when he visits in February. Not exactly living in the moment, I know, but still .... =)

Thanks SO much for the friendly comments, it makes me smile to read them! Please keep 'em coming.