Arrival and Basic Details

The flights went well, though it was a long journey. Upon arrival in Arusha Monday night, we checked into the Training Center for Development Cooperation. I'm staying alone in green unit number 7. To emphasize the green theme...my curtains, door, tile, sink, toilet, shower curtain, and chair are all green. I've always wanted a canopy bed. I have one now; it's just a mosquito net.

On our first day, we went to Lake Dhuliti for a Kiswahili lesson and a picnic. Then we headed to three different markets. I bought my kangas. Kangas are long sheets of colorful, patterned cloth women wrap over their clothes. At the last market there was an enormous section of second hand clothes being sold. It was almost overwhelming; the amount of clothing was amazing. I’ll be writing more about this later as it inspired quite a few thoughts about American benevolence and poverty. I also had to ward off the one-eyed beggar that tried to claim me as his girlfriend! Luckily a loud protest and hand gestures did the trick. :)