It was Ruben’s birthday today and Meaghan and I both wished him a happy one before he left for the day to Sekou Toure. We would have dinner with him later in the evening. I was feeling very tired but had to catch up on my journal and blog writing for the last few days. Meaghan put together the English lesson before heading off to the immigration office to get our Visa’s extended. It was really hot outside today and we were sweating buckets just walking around town. We were given a bit of a hard time with the letter that we put together because it was not addressed to the particular address, but after explaining that we did not have time to get a new letter and have it signed by Mama Paskwalina they just wrote the address and it was fine. Most of the time it seems like people make up rules just to make things more difficult when it does not have to be. After getting the letter sorted out we still had to go back to pay the $100 USD even though we had it with us at the time, but they could not give us a receipt until the papers were reviewed. So we were told to come back tomorrow (Kesho).
We then walked to several internet cafes to find one that was working but had no luck. We went to the supermarket to pick up an instant cake mix for Ruben’s birthday, had a quick lunch and went to the travel agency to try and book a hotel in
We then went to Mabatini to give the English lesson and pick up 7.5 L of yogurt to distribute to the Tunza crowd (Wazungu- foreigners or white people). We were invited to eat some rice and beans by the Mamas. We left Mabatini with our 7.5L of yogurt on my head and I carried almost all the way back to the apartment, ~10 min walk, with the bucket on my head. I really notice how weak my neck it because I can barely keep it steady while holding it with my hands while many of the locals can do it without holding the bucket at all. We had a bit of trouble finding a taxi, but we eventually did and headed to Tunza for our routinely Yoga lesson but found out it was Pilates instead. Before class I stored the yogurt in the kitchen fridge and asked if I could borrow the oven to make Ruben’s cake. It was a chocolate fudge cake and it turned out really well.
After our lesson we went to Isamilo Lodge for Ruben’s dinner and it was Claire, Major, Meaghan, Tini, Ruben and I. We had a nice meal and surprised Ruben with the cake. He was very happy and it was a great night.
We finished up some project work this morning before heading off to town for the day. We went to several internet cafés but they were all down again. We grabbed a quick lunch and organized ourselves financially for our trip to
We then went to our Swahili Lesson and picked up some produce on the way for our ladies’ dinner of Greek food. We paid a friend for our Charity Ball tickets for November 17th and are going to be donating some yogurt to the dinner and are hoping that it will help persuade them to approve our application for the Tukwamuane Women (Yogurt Mamas). After the lessons we went for a nice swim at the International pool then to Claire’s home for dinner. Our Greek dinner was really tasty and a great change from the normal vegetable medley and tomato sauce.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Meaghan and I woke up early to go with Mama Paskwalina to the SIDO office to meet with Damian Chang’a by the daladala. We spoke about many interesting steps for the project to take in the near and distant future. We discussed applications for registering as a business, TBS and TFDA approvals, health inspector visits, delivery service and packaging possibilities, and also expansion of the current Community Kitchen. While we were leaving SIDO a woman approached Mama Paskwalina and wanted her to bring 20 L of yogurt to them to sell in the area. This was really motivating to see because the word about the yogurt is there we just need now to make larger quantities, have correct packaging and safety approval and also delivery services to these areas farther away.
We then went to the Yogurt Kitchen to hand out the English Lessons to the Mamas and to get the 6 L of yogurt for the Forever Angels orphanage. Meaghan and I just dropped off the yogurt because we had to get finish up a few tasks in town and get home to pack for our trip to
We first went to the internet café but it was down again so we went to NBC Bank to take out shillings for our trip and to convert it into USD. We spent a while at the bank trying to convert our money but it seemed to be more difficult than expected. Luckily, I had met a banker earlier in the week and he was able to help us find a place to change USD at a good exchange rate. Afterwards we went again to the Immigration Office to finally have our Visas stamped and we were successful. I am happy to not have to go back there for another 2 months. We walked by the supermarket, after attempting the internet again but not having much luck, and bought some snacks to bring to
I was so excited for our trip and so paranoid that we would miss our flight that I kept waking up in the morning every 30 min from
While at the Dar airport waiting for our next flight to
We got a taxi to take us to the same hotel that the former interns stayed at, Jambo Guesthouse and it was very clean and affordable. We settled in and then went for a walk to the
At the Forodhani Gardens for a seafood kebab dinner
The narrow roads in Stone Town, Zanzibar. Meg and I got up early to shower and have breakfast before our spice tour. We took a 15 person van and it was full. Our tour was very interesting and it was fun to try all the various spices, fruits and vegetables on the way. Some of the things we saw included jackfruit, a curry plant, coriander, nutmeg, coco, a henna plant, vanilla bean, a pepper corn tree, a lipstick tree, lemon grass, and a cinnamon tree. We also went to see a Persian Sultan’s bathhouse and then had a nice lunch consisting of rice (with many spices), vegetables, and a fish curry. There was an extended part of the tour that took you to Bububu beach for an hour or so, but Meg and I opted out and took a daladala back into town. We walked around the market and then through the town and found some great shops that sold scarves and spices at a very reasonable price. We came back to the hotel to rest for a bit and put down all our purchases. We had some snacks and juice, which we brought with us, and then got ready to walk through the streets some more. We were more interested in looking at the architecture of the buildings, the narrow streets, and the beautifully designed doors. We did end up buying a few paintings and souvenirs to bring home as well. Meg and I went for a very nice dinner looking over the beach while the sun was setting.
We set off for Kendwa Rocks this morning via the Daladala. The beach is in the Northern region of the island and is said to have the nicest beaches. It took approximately 1.5 hours to get to the area and another 20 minutes to walk in. It would not have been such a bad experience if it was not sweltering outside or if the road wasn’t as bumpy and rocky as it was. Pulling our suitcases was a bit of a challenge and it may not have been worth saving ourselves 5,000 Tsh or so, but it was an adventure needless to say. When we arrived Meg and I were both dripping with sweat and just wanted to jump into the Ocean to cool off.
Our very hot journey to Kendwa Rocks.
Our banda was small, just consisting of a double bed, a chair, and a table, but it was very lovely and adequate. We got into our bathing suits immediately and to the beach. The first sight was picture perfect, just like the post cards. It was a very nice beach with white, fine sand and water that was an incredible color. I spent most of the day floating in the salty 
Meaghan and I at Kendwa Beach.
Meg and I got up early to have a nice breakfast before our snorkeling session from 
An angelfish
Meaghan and I snorkeling in the Indian Ocean.
We came back to the beach and had a pleasant day of swimming, tanning, walking to various other resorts and playing volleyball. The food was very good and not too expensive either. I got a henna design on my leg by some local ladies on the beach. We had a very relaxing evening with a French-Canadian group that we had met in
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