Hi All--
I won't be taking much time for this post. We have one day in town (today) before going back to orientation at an internet-less location. I'm feeling really frustrated that I can't relay everything that's going on to you all. I feel like I need hours on the computer to do so. There's always so much to write. So on this post I'll keep it brief (in the interest of time) and shoot for writing out more before my next internet visit (which won't be for two weeks).
On Thursday I'll be moving into my first village! In the meantime... orientation is happening. Our schedule is roughly 8AM to 5PM classroom time including lectures and discussions ranging from biology to Swahili to gender issues in country and in the world, to rural village living. It's great to have the Tanzanian teaching partners here with us, too. They share very much insight into the situation in TZ. There are twelve of them (I believe), and many have graduated from university and have done the SIC awareness campaigns before. They're great resources and very fun to be with. I see them as very progressive, vocal TZ citizens.
It's interesting that in the town of Arusha, I actually feel more safe than in many places at home. I've thought about this, and realized that it's because although crime here is targetted at foreigners (and we mzungu (white people) stick out like sore thumbs), it is typically petty theft, and there are very solid ways of protecting yourself. Whereas in the States, the type of crime that we fear is violent. Again, the people here don't want to hurt you: they just want your stuff.
I don't like to leave on that note, but know that this is not a huge part of my experience. I need to go catch a truck back to our site.
I love you all and appreciate your support. I'll post again in two weeks.
Peace,
Carrie :)
