Another elephant video:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=VmLEg4c6ses

Red-necked flangolene, impalas, a gash on the back of a giraffe from a lion attack, gibbons, giraffe, elephants by the park headquarters, elephant and a neat tree (one of my favorite pictures of the trip), termites nest, giraffe (they stare a lot), baby elephants, and a video of an elephant (click to play).

3 Mar: SAFARI!!!

I really need to finish this before I take off for school...Hopefully that means more frequent posts in the near future.

We started the day by hopping on the daladala (48 this time, recall it uncomfortably seats 23). We rode into Iringatown and had breakfast, and we were soon on our way. It was a three hour drive to Ruaha National Park. The drive was amazing. When you see things you never thought that you would see over the course of your entire life, and then somehow find yourself in the middle of those things, its difficult to know how to react. A couple weeks before the trip I watched Blood Diamond, and though I knew I was coming on this trip, I was convinced I would never see scenery like that in the movie. When we came over the top of the mountain and saw Ruaha covering the ground like a green shag carpet stretching its way to end of the earth, I almost panicked. We had the driver stop the car so we could snap a couple of pictures, which you can see above. We paused for a couple minutes to catch our breath and soak in the view, standing on top of a land rover, with granite boulders on both sides. In Africa.

We arrived at the resort where we were staying, which was actually inside the park, and were blown away by the quality of our accommodations. The others staying in the park were fun to have around. There was a honeymooning couple from Britain, and a family of three from Germany (doctor, doctor, med student daughter). The place has running water, solar power, four-course meals, drinks, desserts, bottled water...all a bit of a change for us.

As far as the actual safari-ing, Ill let the pictures talk, and put them in a separate post above. The one thing you will not see, is the first time we saw lions. Since it is the wet season, the bush is thick, and people have been basically preparing us for disappointment as far as whether or not we'll see a cat (lion, leopard, or cheetah). We were actually heading back at the end of our first drive, when Brayn saw something lurking through the bush about ten feet to the side of our car. He tried to say something, but just made a few noises and hit me on the shoulder and made full-body gestures in its direction. I was finally able to get out a "Hey...HEY...HEY!!! LION!!!!" to get the driver and spotter to stop the car. It strolled along for awhile, then crossed the road. One of its buddies came walking along but stayed in the bush. We drove around the corner for a better look as they had both settled down for a nap and were tough to see. They decided to drive into the tall grass (which they asked us not to tell anybody they were doing, but I am now posting on the internet) and almost right on top of one of the lions. With my stupid camera battery dead and Brayn unable to prep his for a shot, we did not get a record of us probably being able to reach out and touch this thing, and then having it take a look at us, scream, and dart a few yards away. An amazing rush. This is an absolute dream come true for a science nerd like myself.

Insets: The "Neverending Road," the view from the top of the mountain over Ruaha, crossing the Ruaha River into the park, and everyone at the safari.

If this is your first time here, please be sure to read the first entry on this site. Thank you.

2 Mar: So Close...

Been awhile since Ive written. Oops. Anyway, this day was pretty much defined by Brayn's runny nose and the fact that we are now one day away from our safari. Brayn was going to go to the Lutheran mass since hes kind of a spiritual mutt, and since I had told Sebastian the day before that Id see him today, I went to the Catholic mass with Simon and Godfried. The sermon ran on a bit for personal taste, probably large in part because I cant understand it. However, one word kept coming up that really sounded like "Nintendo" and that would alwas perk my ears. After mass, I inquired as to the word, and was disappointed to discover that the word is "matendo" which means "act."

After church, I said goodbye to Victor, Sebastian, and Johannes (sp?) (you may remember these three from our meeting about the kindergarten) and encouraged Sebastian to come visit us again before we left. As it turned out, he was planning to visit us that afternoon, which he did. We had lunch with him, and he left after he ate, wishing us well. Good guy, that one. By our surprise, Victor and Johanes (sp?) stopped by an hour or two later. Through a student translator, they asked for scholarships, and requested that we write down their names so we dont forget. I cant blame them for asking. They are passionate about education, and it seems they want this more than anything. I dont doubt that they would work very hard as students. They might have caught me at a bad time, because right now Im feeling a bit like a lottery ticket being scratched by an entire nation. I find myself wondering who should get priority for scholarships. There are many people wanting to sponsor students, and certainly it is up to them whom they wish to sponsor. I think for me, priority should go to students who have started school and dont have the means to continue, followed by students who have just finished primary school and cannot go on without assistance. This is not to say that adults wanting to return to school should be ignored. I just think that Tanzania needs to put all of their resources into raising a generation of educated citizens if they are to become self-sustaining. Adults should be given the option of community education, but maybe Im getting ahead of myself. Maybe not. I may be an idealist, but I dont think that Im unrealistic. Brayn and I are working on a proposal which Ill write more about to put this kind of plan into action, if not to at least put the idea into some heads.

Up next: SAFARI!

If this is your first time here, please be sure to read the first entry on this site. Thank you.

1 Mar: Surprise!

We woke up at 5am because the daladala has been showing up at 530 lately. Of course today, it didnt show up until 615. There is no way to accurately describe riding on this thing. At any moment, every piece of this vehicle will come apart, akin to the Bluesmobile at the end of The Blues Brothers.

We arrivedat our destination and walked the remaining seven kilometers to Nyabula parish. We sat and waited for the bishop while Brian fell asleep in a chair, and I applied my Ultrathon. I admit, we were both afraid this would be a wasted Saturday consisting of awkward silences filled with random nicities (an actual word, or no?) until the daladala came back through at 4pm. On the contrary. We met briefly with the bishop to help edit his letter to whom it may concern regarding the kindergarten project. We then took a brief tour of the parish, which was incredible. It consists of a church, trade school, dispensary, primary school, solar power, and more. We were then treated to a breakfast of tea, milk (first dairy of the trip!) Coke, buns, and fruit.

When we finished we took a ride in the Bishops tinted 4x4 which by standards around here was like riding in limo into Iringatown. The plan was for us to sit in and just listen to a meeting about education at Ruaha University. The university was very nice, and we were surprised when at the opening of the meeting the director of the committee (Organization for the Social Development of Orphans, or OSDO) began the meeting by greeting the guests from America, who are here to listen and suggest ideas for building a school for orphans. This would have been a lovely impromptu introduction, but much to our surprise, we realized it had been scripted. They knew we were coming.

Our input was to be "greatly valued and appreciated." We had no problem with offering suggestions, but felt a little awkward sitting there in our t-shirts with what was clearly high society in the area. The organization consisted of a medical doctor, a lawyer, two PhDs, the university president and secretary, and others. The problem at hand was that construction had been halted due to lack of funding (seems to be a common problem around here). Brayn, having had experience with this at St. Johns University, proposed the idea of trying to find a sister college or high school in Minnesota, which seemed a good idea since Ruaha University is in fact a Catholic school. The warmed up to the idea and were suddenly referring to us as their "American ambassadors." I leaned over and asked Brayn:

"How did we get here?"
"The Bishop from Nyabula took us."
"The who from what?"

Oh by the way, the bishop bailed in the middle of the meeting. Had another meeting I guess. At the end of the meeting, we had a meal, and we got a little tour of the school. On the way out, I felt like maybe I should remind them that in fact we are just two dudes who just happened to be born somewhere else, but we just said thank you and went on our way. We first stopped at a place to set up our safari. The prices have significantly risen over the past year unfortunately, but this was definitely one of those "dont worry about money" moments and we decided to spring for two nights and stay inside the park itself, despite the penny-pinching voices inside my head.

On the way back, our cab driver started in with the usual buttering up that we have come to recognize before people ask us for money. This guy was bold enough to ask for $400 to buy himself a new license to get a better job. Sorry guy, "our commitment here is to education."

After a couple Konyagi-Fantas, we crashed hard. Long day.

Insets: The church at Nyabula, the entrance to Nyabula, the grotto at Nyabula, and two downtrodden wazungus with OSDO

If this is your first time here, please be sure to read the first entry on this site. Thank you.

29 Feb: 24/7/366

Since having a small disagreement on the manner of punishment here at the school, Brayn and I have noticed a certain awkwardness or separation between ourselves and the teachers over the last couple days. Maybe its just in our heads, but its no good because Im again feeling like an outsider. Whos the TOD anyway? Im in charge here. Not really.

I taught my last class today, a Form III class. It was an amazing class which ended with a forty-minute Q&A session on the musculoskeletal system. They did very well and I was oh so proud. Of me.

The heat the last couple days has been intense, and with it an intense feeling of laziness. Therefore, the afternoon was entirely dedicated to purchasing two small bags of detergent and a bar of soap (under forty cents total) and doing some laundry. Today I also finished Johnny Trumaine, making that three books I have consumed since arriving including Kite Runner and Next by Michael Chrichton, who might as well start including stage directions in his books/scripts. Needless to say, the office is a little empty at night, leaving us with some time to read. Thank goodness for lanterns and flux-powered flashlights.

That night we bought some Konyagis for any teachers who wanted to share that night. Mr. Kilinga both drinks too fast, and cant hold much liquor, making him incredibly fun to drink with.

28 Feb: Big Win

This morning my TOD duties began with word that one of the students had flogged another, and that student was to be called forth at assembly by yours truly to receive punishment. Fearing the young man might receive a flogging of his own, I refused, but was then assured that this was not the case. I called him forward and the dean of discipline (formerly a WWF Superstar, or at least should have been with a title like that) also decided to call forth the flogged child. "This boy has beaten this boy" he announced. As if things werent humiliating enough already. The school needs a little work on its punishments.

We took a stroll that afternoon with Lagoos and Mr. Kilinga to see the village dam and the Ruaha River which runs though the area. We also saw the local lumber yard near here. The dam was a little odd, Im still not sure if it served any purpose. The stagnant pond it created did little but disrupt land that could have been used for farming, and Im not so sure the plan to stockpile it with fish is a winner, given the quality of the water.

That evening was dedicated to sports and games, and I played a round of games including volleyball, netball, and I beat a kid of probably twelve years in a one on one soccer game. I was pumped.

Insets: The dam, Lagoos standing on the dam by the pond, the lumber industry, and the Ruaha River (which will be revisited when we go on safari soon)

If this is your first time here, please be sure to read the first entry on this site. Thank you.

27 Feb: Government, Debate, and Love

Today after class, we figured it was time we visited the neighboring government (public) school. The headmaster, Mr. Alberto, had extended an invitation our way one day when we played soccer together, and he had ripped off his suit like Clark Kent, except instead of a superman costume he had a soccer outfit underneath. Touring the school was like being in another world. I though Magulilwa lacked resources, but that was before I learned the wonders of public education in Tanzania. This school has three teachers including Mr. Alberto and the temporary form IV grad. This is like graduating high school, and then getting a job teaching in that high school. They have 360 students in all, and only have two levels, form I and II. Lacking space and manpower, the students take turns being in class. They also do a lot of sharing of books, since there is about one paperback per twenty students. Teachers keep applying, but they get turned away because there is no money with which to pay them.

After a quick tour, our usual "Hi I'm Dan/Brayn, glad to see you all working hard, were from the US, were teaching here for a month, thanks so much for welcoming us" rap, we snapped a few photos at the headmaster's request and went on our way. This was, after all, debate day, and we didnt want to miss it. The topic was "Anti-Retroviral Drugs (ARVs) cause HIV to spread more quickly." Interesting to hear these students debating in a language that wasnt their own, and doing a good job of it having to argue the point that prolonging a life was a negative thing in this case. This of course was all kind of brought back to earth when a chicken walked through the door and across the stage, with no one but myself and Brayn giving it a second glance. The debate was highlighted by the students asking me to debate Amani, who was on the negative side, thus forcing me to make an impromptu argument for quickening the death of HIV/AIDS patients. I did so by arguing the money would be better used treating malaria and building wells and water filters, which was a well-received argument.

That night Brayn and I took to our office. A female student came in, dressed up nicely and smelling of perfumes. I recognized her as the girl whos stuff Bryan had helped carry off of the daladala one day when it was raining. The following exchange took place.

Her, to Brayn: "How are you?"
Brayn: "You know. Quadratic equations. Studyin' up."
Awkward silence.
Me: "Is there anything we can help you with?"
Pause.
Her: "Teach me."
Brayn: "Of course, what do you need help with?"
Pause.
Her: "English."
Me: "Well, we arent really english teachers. What specifically about English?"
Pause.
Her: "Tenses."
Me: "Umm, to be honest, I dont really know how to teach that. Bryan?"
Brayn: "Uhhmmmmm...Yeah...I dont really...Uhhmmmm..."
Me: "That might be a better question for Mr. Kilinga, the english teacher."
Her: "Ok."

She took one more look at Bryan and left. Apparently she has quite a little crush. Brayn informs me that she has tried this when I was not around. This time, her plan was to get dressed up, smell nice, and walk into the office. I guess that was as far as the planning had really gotten. Bold effort though, I have to say. Im impressed.