After nine long months of working and saving i have finally made it back to Tanzania. I forgot how much I feel at home here, which makes the last nine months of waiting tables not so painful. My limited knowledge of Swahili is slowly coming back as I walk around the town of Monduli catching up with familiar faces. Numbers, greetings, and simple phrases all still seem to be there, and over the next few months I might actually be able to learn some verbs and be able to form sentences. Monduli life is slower but at the same time so much more physically demanding. Everyday is a constant reminder how convenient everyday life is in the states.
Since being here for two days as an out of shape fat American, I have committed to the Arusha 5k. This so-called "fun run" is in 10 days or so, which means I have been put on a training regimen which so far has included a few hours of squash and a 5 hour basketball practice which included some strength training, cardio, and being hammered in the post by one of my former students Issaya Fanwell. The squash was a blast, the basketball practice not so much, however both are much needed if I plan on running the 5k without passing out.
I have only seen a few former students in the past couple days but seeing there smiles and much improved English has completely validated my role as a pre-form teacher. Seth and Lisa were still managing the pole palace with there usual positive and caring manner, making sure that I feel welcome and comfortable as soon as I walked in the door. Not only are they still hard at work as they finish their two and a half year stint at Orkeeswa but they have the support of so many more volunteers. Last year we only had six volunteers, and now there are ten with one more on the way, plus a full Tanzanian staff that i haven't met yet. Everyone seems to be less stressed and much more focused of taking care of they more specific set of responsibilities.
It's amazing the difference in work ethic between so many of the paid employees I have worked with in the restaurant industry and the unpaid volunteers working with IEFT. These individuals that give their time for with little or no compensation at all are truly inspiring, and leave you to realize that there are still people that truly value hard work and making a difference more than pulling down a comfortable salary and living a luxurious life. Take last night for instance, dining at a nice restaurant is one of my favorite thing to do, but a taco dinner around a coffee table with the company of new and old friends while drinking Tanzanian beer was one of the best meals I have had in a very long time. A couple beers some Tumaini mince, taco shells warmed up by toaster oven, and cadbury dark chocolate with fresh fruit salad beats any meal a restaurant in Fresno could provide.
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