Mama Rose

Mambo,

I'minAfricaI'minAfricaI'minAfricaI'minAfricaI'minAfrica. I'm doing very well here in the Motherland these days. I've been loving my life lately. Where to begin, ok, I'm not in the orphanage these days, thats pretty big news. The trip there was over an hour and required a bike taxi, 2 dalla-dallas, and a 15 minute walk, and thats only one way. My knee was failing miserably. After a wonderful talk with the best fiancee in the history of fiancees and some common sense I decided to work closer to home. I'm now at Mama Roses (which is actually pronounced "Rocsies").

If you read the earlier entries you will know that going into her school was the first experience I had with African children and it turned out to have a lasting effect. It's a short walk from where I am living and I couldn't possibly tell you how amazing it is. The ages of the kids I'm working with ranges from 3-8 years old and as it turns out a lot of them are orphaned. They are beautiful and bright and funny, and loud, and ARGH, I wish you could all meet them. I'm helping to teach them everything from English to Mathmatics to Art etc. I've done what no good teacher should do and I've developed a favorite. Her name is Sabrina and she reminds me of what I was like when I was 5 years old. Bright, funny, and a world class smart ass. Every time she sees me she gives me the biggest hug. Did you hear that? Thats my heart melting.

Things at the house are good. We've said goodbye to 4 women in the house. Glennis, Karen, Lesley, and Margret. All beautiful women and all will be sorely missed. The time with them went by so quickly, however, when you're in Africa together with someone, you bond in such a different way. Left now are Quinn, Sarah, and Jamie, the latter of which there have been issues. I feel bad for Jamie because it almost feels like she didn't expect to be in sub-saharan East Africa. She is a little uneasy about stuff like no running water, no electricity, etc., etc., etc. I can't blame her, it's the roughest I've ever had it too, but I like it. I feel like I'm getting a more authentic experience with everything that goes wrong (just as long as I come home with all my extremities). Jamies a good kid, a little green, but a good kid and I feel like this trip will go a long way for her down the stretch. Quinn and Sarah on the other hand are loving their lives as well. I've had a chance to talk with them and get to know them in a way that I thought I might. They are the illest. We as in Nathan, Quinn, Sarah, AND Jamie are all the illest compadres in Dar.

Word.

Lets see, how about some adventure, I took a trip to the Kunduchi Ruins with Sarah after reading about them in Lonely Planet. Amazing. 300 year old Islamic tombs. I felt a little like Indiana Jones while I was there. I also took a trip to the Movenpick luxury hotel and resort. Most of the girls stayed the night there last weekend. It was terrible. I felt like a fraud being there. I don't stay in places that nice at home let alone getting up Monday to be with a kid whose mom had died last week from AIDS. I guess I just felt out of place and I can honestly say that was the first and last time I do luxury on this trip.

I rode in the back of a truck with a bunch of Muslims from Zanzibar. The guy in the back told me that Allah says to grow your beard because it will keep you healthy. The beard is staying, did you hear that world, THE BEARD IS STAYING! (obscure Muppet reference there) I went to a Tanzanian night club the other night. That was pretty funny. I was shocked at how similar it was to any other club. There are chickenheads and joeys everywhere apparently. The music was ok. I'd give it a C- at best.

All in all things really couldn't be better. I'm planning a trip to Zanzibar in a couple weeks and that is going to kick some serious exotic ass. I'm also seeing about the possibility of going on safari in Ruaha National Park. My friend Angela is starting university near there and has a cousin that she thinks I can stay with. We'll see about that. I'm working with the kids every day and I will tell you more about that as it continues to open my eyes. I miss you all so much and I'm thinking and praying for each and every one of you. Peace out cub scouts.

Nathan