Hello all! Sorry for the lack of contact lately. It’s
difficult to use a laptop when there isn’t
any electricity haha. I’m going to keep this short, but life is great
here. It’s a beautiful landscape, and the people have all been extremely
friendly, especially when they discover that I am not a tourist, and that I can
hold my own in terms of Swahili. My days are spent playing soccer, walking
around town (which is a half hour away), hanging out with other teachers,
cooking, and reading. Cooking usually takes a couple of hours using a charcoal
stove, but I have an abundance of free time so it isn’t really an issue. I’m a
little disappointed because I’ve only been proposed to by three or four
Tanzanian women since arriving in Karatu. School is on a break right now, so I’m
not teaching at this point. I have helped do a few practicals in the laboratory
though, and I’ve really enjoyed it. I should start teaching around September 10th.
As for now, I am settling into my new home. It’s a small house, but more than
enough for one person. Since I am not replacing a volunteer, I have had to
purchase everything for my home. So far, I have bought a lot of cooking
equipment. I hope to have a couch made, as well as a bookshelf. It is
surprisingly cold here, which makes bucket baths kind of a pain, but I am
getting used to it. I better go before my computer dies, but know that I am
loving life right now. There are certainly some challenges, such as not having
electricity or running water, but I have no complaints. I miss you all, and
hopefully my next entry will be a little more descriptive. One more thing, I am
now using the school’s P.O. Box. The address is as follows:
Kainam Rhotia Secondary School
P.O. Box 400
Karatu, Arusha
Just write my name somewhere in there and hopefully I will
get it. Peace.
Matthew Wilbanks
