Send-Off Party- Wedding Celebrations TZed Style

Recently I attended a send-off party in Tanzania. This happens before the wedding and after the engagement/kitchen party. It is equivalent to the time before a wedding in an Indian wedding. They had dancing (mostly to religious songs), presents, food, speeches/introductions of the families, they also had something where the bride searches for the groom, etc. The wedding traditions here seem to emulate that of Indian weddings more than American weddings. Of course with western culture coming into Africa there is a combining of the two. In wedding celebrations there is a engagement party, a kitchen party (similar to a bachelorette/wedding shower), send-off party, and the actual wedding. A kitchen party is where women get together to advise the bride of martial responsibilities and give gifts of that nature.

Umeme again..new books to be read..

So now we have increased to 3 times a week so about every other day I have no power from 9 AM till 11 PM. It doesn't hinder me too much as I try to get everything I need power for accomplished on the days I have power and before 9 AM on the days I don't have power. But besides that it forces me to read books instead of being on the computer all day. Of course as usual I visit my neighbors. Some books that I have read: Three Cups of Tea, Into Thin Air, Zahir, and various others. I am trying to look for more upbeat "junk" books but right now all I have is the well-written, somewhat philosophical variety which is nice to expand the mind but tends to leave me a bit sad.

My Community is Awesome!

Everyone is so loving and supportive of me during this time of stolen stuff and police investigations. I definitely feel the love of my neighbors, fellow co-workers, and students. And despite everything happening I am still optimistic and love working here..so I need to constantly tell them not to worry..that I am not going home. :) The first few days were a shock but I am getting back into the swing of things again, hopefully gaining momentum..you never know what life throws at you but you got to deal with it and keep on moving because it gets better. And everything falls into the past. I think that is why I am all about memories and not about material possessions. I would rather have experiences than physical objects-because of this value system it helps me recover in times like these when physical property and money are stolen. 'Cause when I look back in life I want to feel as though I have fulfilled what I wanted to accomplish. But for this to happen, of course, everyone must have their basic needs met and I feel as at least my basic needs are met.

Harusi

There is a wedding at the institute so I helped in cooking food yesterday. It was awesome to feel the energy as we used wood and big pots to cook food instead of electric stoves that most people have here. I think it was due to the fact yesterday was a non-umeme day. But at that moment I felt how it probably feels to live in a village..I can say I totally like the community feeling. I visit my neighbors alot when I am at site and actually like doing that but I have always been like that even back home in the States..it's my personality. And I enjoy cooking with everyone..cooking should be a social event. :)

Tangazo..

So for two days a week I have no power from 9 AM to 11 PM due to shortage of electricity here in TZed. It is the end of the dry season and until the rains start we probably won't have constant electricity (we use hydro-electric power here). It's nice because I get to make consistent use of my kerosene stove finally...

But on a better note the institute is planning to install water tanks so that we can get constant water instead of water just 3 times a day. I don't mind getting water only 3 times a day but when I have guests it tends to be a problem.

I Feel Like I Am In A Mystery Novel...

It's a combination of alot of things but I feel like I am in a mystery novel. Maybe it's the old James Bond movies I recently watched or the dealing with the stolen laptop. It's horrible to be suspicious of everyone that you love with your heart. I realize in going through this experience it is not getting the stuff back that is most important but for me it is the questions that I have... What is the motive? How did they get it done? That is what is fascinating me right now as I try to contemplate many scenarios. And I recently discussed with my friend to be a good theif you must be a good planner, and planning is something that I like to do so how the criminal mind works interests me. Of course it would be nice to get the stuff back...

My Life at this Moment

Teaching computers to bachelor level and ordinary level students, getting the ICT conference off the ground, dealing with stolen laptop/money, getting rid of rats in my home, preparing to run the Moshi Kili Marathon in Feb 2010, and preparing to take the GMATs sometime next year. Also hanging out with neighbors & attending various student events like New Student Day, Graduation, and various sports competition.