Greetings From Kilosa

The language is coming "pole pole" (slowly, slowly), but the Tanzanian people are very patient and warmhearted. Even being in the internet cafe here, I am able to practice my Kiswahili with someone who is patient and understands that I am learning the language. Yesterday we ran into one of the current volunteers in town and we invited her over to meet our host family. We had a great time visiting and since she speaks the language much better than we do, we got more insight into how we're perceived buy our host family - we are loved. Doing laundry is probably the biggest obstacle to overcome right now. Most Tanzanians, especially in professions, take much pride in their attire - everything's ironed and clean. Anyway, I'm running out of time on the computer. I'll post again this weekend. Kwa Herini.

Hamjambo Kwa Tanzania (Hello to All From Tanzania)

This is the first opportunity I've had to use a computer since arriving in Kilosa . Carla and I moved in with our homestay family on Sunday and everything's going great. Our Mama is super nice and patient and no one speaks more than a couple of words of English. Everyday we go to our separate Kiswahili classes and learn all day. If anyone would like more information on what's been going on with us see Carla's blog: www.carlaintanzania.blogspot.com . The language training is SUPER intense, but really good. My friend Steve and I were labeled "Wazushi" (rabble rousers) by our instructor today(jokingly) . I'll write again soon. The Internet Cafe is closing as I write.

Map of Tanzania

Here's a map of Tanzania, so everyone knows where we are in the country. We're currently in Dar es Salaam, and we'll be travelling to Kilosa in a few days to begin our Pre-Service Training and homestay. I don't know when I'll be online again, but I'll try to post again ASAP. Oh, I forgot to sign off with a snappy comment last time; so I guess I'll owe you three the next time I post because I can't come up with one right now.

Arrival in Tanzania

Due to time and jet lag, this posting will be in monsterspeak/telegram form:
Left Philly. Flew from JFK. Forgot fleece at hotel in Philly. Damn. Got to Amsterdam. Got to Tanzania Tuesday night. Very tired. Woke up in Tanzania. Still very tired. Went to orientation at Peace Corps office in Dar es Salaam. Everyone very nice. Still very tired. Got yellow fever shot. Got petty cash. Got ID picture taken. Now, online. Everything's very good, but still tired. Will post again soon when not so tired. Enjoy the picture.

DISCLAIMER

The following applies to all previous and all future postings on "The Rocky Woodbridge Journal:"

THE CONTENTS OF THIS WEBSITE ARE MINE PERSONALL AND DO NOT REFLECT ANY POSITION OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT OR THE PEACE CORPS.

The City of Brotherly Love

I'm in Philly for Peace Corps staging and I leave tomorrow for Tanzania via Amsterdam. Everything's falling into place. I can't wait to get to TZ. It hasn't hit me yet that I'm leaving friends, family, and home for two years, but I'm sure it will in a few weeks. I wish there were more time to explore Philly; it seems to be a pretty cool city, at least what I've seen of it. The itinerary is as follows: 10:45 Leave for JFK, 1:30 or 2:00 Get to JFK, 5:45 Fly to Amsterdam, Tuesday A.M. A few hours at the airport in Amsterdam, then off to Dar Es Salaam via Kilimanjaro (refueling). That's it for now. I'll try to post again soon. Sorry it's not the best material, but I'm confident that it'll get better once I'm in TZ. One last thing : I'm using the computer in the basement of the Hampton Inn in Philly and their stock music in the lobby (which I can hear through the open stairwell) is Elvis Costello's "Veronica." Go figure. I'm signing off.

I normally don't do anything like this...

Well, I normally don't. That is, I don't normally write for other people or at least not since I was in school. In a couple days I'll be leaving my home in the midwest for Peace Corps service in Tanzania, and I felt that this would be a great way to keep up with a lot of people easily. I'll admit right now that I probably won't be a daily blogger; partly because I may not have easy access to a computer in Africa and partly because I procrastinate. However, what I'll lack in quantity, hopefully I'll make up for in quality. I'll try to make the posts at least halfway interesting and mildly amusing if at all possible. Also, I'll probably try out several greetings and farewells over the next few weeks. Having said that, I'll sign off with, "TTFN."