Hadithi yangu Tanzania : October 2014

And here it is, my last post on Hadithi yangu Tanzania!

My “supposedly” last adventure took place in Zanzibar – Supposedly because I postponed my return for 10 extra days due to delays in my research/work; can’t complain though, this is not a bad place to stay longer J – I was happy indeed to go to the Spice Island one more time and attend the popular Full Moon Party at Kendwa Beach with the GU Crew (Caroline was missing as she was hiking Kilimanjaro, way to go Caroline!).

Having done most of the obligated destinations during my first excursion to Stone Town, I decided to just wander through the labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways of the ancient town during my second adventure in Zanzibar…

Getting lost for 10 hours in Stone Town

Time to Party

More of the beautiful beach scene of Tanzania

Needless to say, attending the full moon party at Kendwa Beach was quite some fun for me! There were dancing performances, drumming, food (really plentiful buffet) and lost of dancing on the beach. I went to bed around 3am, but people go until 5 or 6 am! What a way to say goodbye to Tanzania!\

Thank you sweet girls, will miss you J

Last week

The following week was busy with work and more goodbyes: I was certainly happy it was that way. I had learned a lot form project management and fieldwork preparations in the Tanzanian setting, which was an incredible educational experience, but my young heart was dreaming about the fieldwork. This had been delayed due to a myriad of events and I was happy that it was that way actually happening during my last days here.

Here some pictures of work, on this blog! Finally!!

Training sessions

Goodbyes and my surprise farewell goodbye party, #muchlove :

Getting all dressed-up, how awesome is that?!

Missing my Swahili teacher :)

Ninapenda Tanzania Sana and ninapenda Pact’s Rafiki, Miss you all guys !

Farewell taco party with the GU crew and Hannah!!!

Manu and Kaia’s welcome back party

My Masai warrior :)

Kaia's presents for me

Manu learning to play the Bao!

LOVE YOU mis chiquitinis, can’t believe I made it for 2 months and 3 weeks without you both!!

Last words: I cannot express how grateful and happy I am for coming to Tanzania, meeting so many beautiful people, learning from them and for experiencing this beautiful country. Thanks to all the people that helped me in one or another to come here, the people I shared my time with and who made my stay in Tanzania so wonderful. Thank you too for reading my posts, hope you enjoyed them!!

And this is how my Hadithi yangu Tanzania ends J.

I had been a bit disappointed for not going on a field trip in Tanzania that I woke up last week with the determination of visiting some more of the rural areas in the country. I sure opened my eyes with that idea in mind and hence got out of my bed, threw somethings in my backpack, headed for the bus station and embarked in a three hours bus drive south from Dar es Salam to the Morogoro region. Yep, it felt quite good to go “backpacker style” just like when I was in college. What an awesome way to have my penultimate adventure on “Hadithi Yangu Tanzania”!!

My arrival to Morogoro bus station

You might relate to this! An image that reminded me so much of my bus trips to the local towns of Colombia. Just wait a fraction of a second after the bus arrives and street vendors offering pretty much everything will surround the entire vehicle.

As investigative as it could get, I decided to visit a traditional healer who lives in the Uluguro Mountains. Two and half hours hike and visit to the Waluguru people made this a very interesting trip. I certainly didn’t hike alone -- I am not that adventurous J -- but instead contacted a local NGO that uses funds from tourists to support development and conservation projects. Totally recommend it!

Meeting the traditional healer.

Having a conversation while learning how to play the “Bao Kiswahili” on the Mancala board. Bao is a traditional game that builds very good math and decision-making skills. Of course I bought a Mancala board for Manu and Kaia this week, it may help them!

The medicine that “cures everything, except for HIV/AIDS because it is a chronic disease”

An alternative to the Mancala board!

Visiting Soil cake makers.

At Tsh 500 each, pregnant women are the main buyers of soil cakes, which are consumed to supplement with essential minerals the diet of the expecting mothers. (Kids are not allowed to eat them).