Kwaheri Belgium! Habari Tanzania!

Monday - 10.02.2014

After a trip of more than 24 hours, preceded by the last goodbyes, we finally arrived in Karatu. Karatu is the 'big' town closest to Getamock, where we will be teaching. Both my travel buddy, Astrid, and I left our homes in Belgium Sunday afternoon, thus making sure that we would have enough time to say goodbye before catching our flight. Unfortunately, no amount of time softens the goodbye.

After a flight of close to 10 hours, a stop in Paris and very little sleep we eventually arrived in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. There we had to wait several hours before flying to Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Upon exiting the airport we could immediately see Paul, a teacher from Getamock Secondary School, who was waiting for us. Then Frank, a friend of Paul's, picked us up and drove us to Arusha. In Arusha we had to take the daladala (the local bus/taxi) to Karatu.

The rain almost made us wonder if we were still in Belgium, but one look around proved us wrong. We were no longer in Europe. And if that hadn't been enough, the sound of Swahili all around would have been. While riding the daladala the men in front of us were having a heated argument about politics. At first we thought they were really angry but Paul assured us it was fine. Fun fact about the dalla dalla: they like to have as many people on it as possibly. So there were 10 people on the shuttle bus which was actually meant for 8.

In Karatu Paul brought us to a guesthouse, where we ate our first Tanzanian chips. At the guesthouse Happy, the daughter of the owner, turned her phone into a hotspot so we could access the internet and let everyone know we had arrived safely. When we laid down on our bed exhaustion immediately caught up with us and finally we got a decent night of sleep.

Tuesday - 11.02.2014

We agreed to meet Paul the next morning and he introduced us to John, the owner of the guesthouse. Together with them we had breakfast, which consisted of chapatis, vitumbuas and samosas. Chapatis are something in between pancakes and flat bread and vitumbuas are coconut and rice donuts. Both are quite tasty but samosas are absolutely delicious. You have both beef samosas and vegetarian ones. I'm completely in love with the beef one! After breakfast Paul showed us around Karatu until it was time for lunch. Here most of the time people eat with their hands so in restaurants they usually come to your table with water, soap and a little tub so you can wash your hands. When it was time to travel from Karatu to Getamock, John drove us so we wouldn't have to take the daladala with all our luggage. 

At Getamock Secondary School the head master, mister Mbwala, welcomed us. For the next four months Astrid and I will be room mates in Paul's house. After settling in a bit, Paul took us on a small tour around Getamock. We met the chairman of the town, by who we were invited inside for drinks and a little bit later we got to hold 2-month old baby Yvonne. She had us wrapped around her little finger within the first couple of seconds.

Wednesday - 12.02.2014

On Wednesday we discovered that school in Tanzania is quite different from back home. First of all, teachers have to be present at 7.30. So we're quite happy that we live on school grounds. While walking to the teacher's room we saw the students already working around the school. Apparently, they have to be at school at 7 together with the two teachers who are on duty that week. Around 10 to 8 they formed lines and had to do exercises. After we had introduced ourselves to the students their classes started and we were sent back to the teacher's room. Astrid played two games of draughts against Philly and lost twice. By now we've learned he's practically the king of the game but still Astrid was set on revenge.

After two hours of classes there is a break of half an hour and we got chapatis (Yummy!). Another two hours later lunch is served, most of the time it is ugali, a typical Tanzanian dish. It's made from maize flour and tastes a bit bland. After lunch the extra curricular activities start. On Wednesday this is always debate and Stephen, the teacher that accompanies it, asked us to join him and help him the coming weeks.

In the afternoon Paul took us for a ride on his motorcycle. We visited a primary school on nearby mountain called Hill Mahaha. The children were very curious and kept looking at us from a distance. Afterwards, Paul took us further up the mountain. When we got of the bike we still had to hike for 15 minutes but the reward was an amazing view of the national park Lake Manyara.

Friday - 14.02.2014

Two days later a teacher of Thomas More Vorselaar came to visit Getamock Secondary School. She wanted to see the school and where we lived. While we were waiting for her arrival the other teachers gave us some lessons in Kiswahili. We also noticed they had become a lot more open compared to our first day at the school. Friday was also the day, excuse me, THE day that Astrid beat Philly in a game of draughts. He might be the king of the game, but she's the queen ;)

In the afternoon the students had an extra curricular activity again, probably the one they had been looking forward to for the entire week: sports and games. Before they can start the activity, some of the students still had to do their duties. Several boys were planting a couple of small bushes and we joined them. This way we can still be a part of the school after we leave. When the students were playing it was obvious they were really enjoying themselves. Very shyly one of the girls asked us if we wanted to join their game. Unfortunately, we didn't get the rules yet but we told her that maybe one day we will.

To all of you at home, you can still reach me (a.k.a. text me, not call me) on my Belgian number, but I will respond with my Tanzanian one. To those of you who miss me too much and have a good knowledge of skype, you can reach me on +255789224293. DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT call with your cellphone, only call me using skype (unless you really dislike having money ;) ).

Kisses and hugs to everyone at home!
Blog you soon,
Laura