I finally returned home, this journey came to an end. The last days were really very nice, and didn’t really involve too much work, at least, for university. Of course they involved many goodbyes too.
On Monday I met with Simtu, who was my student. We had some food, and I visited his home. It’s really awesome, he used to be Muslim, but now he became a Christian. I guess he noticed, he saw something special during his time at YWAM. Now he goes to church, chose Bible knowledge for his secondary education and even wants to do a DTS. That’s a party in Heaven! And he really puts it in practice too, he wants to help and give.
That evening he came to the base, just after the little farewell “ceremony”. I’ve seen a few those, now it was my turn... People said kind words, I did too. They gave me this wooden African statue, and everyone prayed for me and said goodbye. Bebe was there afterwards as well, apparently she had been keeping Simtu up. James, who couldn’t be there at the time, sent me a gift too – a box full of fruit from Matombo. It had like, five pineapples and a watermelon. I wouldn’t go to Dar Es Salaam as lightly burdened as I had hoped!
That departure was actually the following day. It was somewhat hasty, unfortunately I didn’t even get to say bye to Sitini and Sered. But the journey itself was fine, actually better than expected. So much so that the whole suitcase detour wasn’t very necessary. I assume to combat the army of salesmen they enclosed the final bus stop, you had to pay or have a bus ticket to get there. Besides that, Niwaely’s place wasn’t actually close to the terminal, at all. In fact, it was on an entirely different location. We had to spend a very long time retrieving it the next day, after doing just a small bit of shopping. We also went to view Obadiah’s neighbourhood (I was staying at his place, in case you missed it). He really lives in a beautiful area. Dar Es Salaam is at the ocean, and while his place was quite a distance from it, it did seem like he lived in the dunes. There was very clean sand, hills, and lots of coconut and mango trees. And there was an ocean breeze most of the time too, which is really, really pleasant in a place as hot and humid as Dar. I really enjoyed the place. Of course we enjoyed James’ fruit a lot too. The pineapple was so very nice, not quite what we’re used to in Europe. I ate until my tongue got sore...
On Thursday we went on a trip to Zanzibar, a beautiful and popular island off the coast. We took an airplane there – as we later found out it’s actually cheaper than taking the boat for me (not for Obadiah, they have different prices for residents and non-residents at Zanzibar in some cases), and it didn’t make didn’t make Obadiah sick. Also, it was his first time to go by airplane, so it was quite worth it. We stayed at an acquaintance of Obadiah, the mother of a pastor he knows. It was really a “normal” home, which was of course very nice for me to see. But to my surprise there was also a white person there, a female student from Switzerland who was also sort of between her bachelor and her master and was also teaching English. Common thing, maybe?
Anyway, the first of the two days we stayed there we spent on visiting Stonetown. We saw its beaches, a museum and the old slave market. The dungeons are still there, as a memorial to that horrible time. They would literally stack people there, twenty-five dying every day, the survivors being whipped, some to death just to select the strong ones. To end it all the Brits built a church on the place where the latter happened.
The following day we got up early to go to Prison Island, a very small off the coast of Zanzibar itself. As eerie as it sounds it was actually absolutely stunning. Really the stereotypical “holiday paradise island” – white beaches, palm trees, giant turtles... Well, ok, maybe not so stereotypical, that last one. They did have the very big turtles there, the ones that can get some 180 years old. They actually had one of about 150 there. They once were a gift to the owner of the island at that time. We could actually feed them and even hold them. A baby one of course, just a few years old. There was also a building there that was used as a prison, for disobedient slaves. Or perhaps it was meant to be used as such, I’m not sure. After the Zanzibar revolution, they used it as a place for people with contagious diseases as cholera. But really, what a beautiful location that is...
After having spent a lovely time there, it was time to get back to the mainland, in order to avoid the horrible traffic jams. This time we did go with the ferry, in total it was just a bit cheaper, and it was nice to experience too. I had a great time, standing on the bow of the ship, defying wave after wave. Obadiah however, hadn’t. He was feeling rather sick; probably the only reason he didn’t exit his lunch was because we didn’t have any. He would feel bad for quite a while afterwards.
We did successfully escape the jams, and spent most of the night at Gladness’ place. She’s Oba’s sister, and actually has electricity at her home. There I made a few dvds and cds, we watched the dvd too as it was about the English school. Gladness is really a lovely person, indeed very happy too. She assured my that by this time next year I would be back in Tanzania, and that I would have at least four kids later, which will be when she’ll visit me.
The following day we spent mostly on getting me ready to go as it was actually the day of my departure, my last hours on African soil. Of course I had to say goodbye, to Josephine, Obadiah’s wife, their daughter Deborah and also Bebe. I really don’t know when I’ll see my fellow teachers again, perhaps the next time will be in Heaven... Which will obviously be awesome.
So I got a few presents for my family, we had lunch in town, visited Obadiah’s church’s headquarters... It was a nice time, and all worked out well. I said goodbye to my very dear friend Obadiah, I got on the plane... Finally said bye to Tanzania too.
And so it came to an end. The flight was excellent, and at its destination my family warmly welcomed a rather tired and dazzled Eddy. There were very big roads, wallpaper, chocolate, internet, a terrible cold... But most of you know all that already, don’t you?
As for my coming days, I’ll be receiving a very, very special guest and writing a huge report. Then going to a different university, new dormitory, making sure my loan’s ok, fraternity, uni, uni, uni...
Maybe after three years, or if God wishes...
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
The final stretch
Yes, this is probably my last post from Tanzania. I might be able to squeeze one in in the coming week, but that’s not very probable. By this time a week from now I’ll be on my way home.
The last week has been rather exhausting, I think mainly because I became ill again. It was the same sort of thing as that other time, but not as bad because I didn’t take medicine this time... I’m not sure how I got it, but I think the heat as well as eating a whole loaf of YWAM bread may have something to do with it. The latter is known for its ability to stop things from going.
But we also actually went to Arusha, we being Asheri and me. It was a ten hour trip, so Wednesday and Saturday were spent mostly on lazying in the bus and staring out the window. Which was nice in a way – I got to see a lot of Tanzania which I otherwise wouldn’t have at all. There were some very, very beautiful sight there, it looked really nice. Lush green planes and hills all the way to the horizon... But I admit I slept for quite a while too.
The place that we stayed at itself was (as I may have mentioned) another YWAM base. It’s about the size of the one I’m at, but is much more densely built and populated. I actually quite like it, there’s always people about here and there, it feels very nice. It has more stuff in general actually – more cars, more refrigerators, wireless internet, showerheads, and that most wonderful of blessings: toilets you can actually sit on. But, for some strange reason, they don’t have plates.
On Thursday we got to see the computer school, which was very good. We got a lot of questions answered and our idea regarding it has become quite a bit more clear. One of the teachers there, who was also the one that kept us company and showed us around the Arusha base, was actually a guy from the US. He name is Nick, I think he was about my age. He was really quite a blessing to us. He had only ten students, in a pretty large classroom. In fact, here we’ll try stuffing sixteen in one that’s about three times smaller. Wonder how that’ll be... But anyway, we joined their class, interviewed Nick, had lunch, interviewed him some more... It was our “data gathering” day.
Friday though, we were free. This was the time I would have liked to climb the Kilimanjaro... But we heard that for that, we would need to hire one guy to be our guide, another one to carry our stuff and then yet another one for an equally stupid reason as the other two, which I can’t even remember. And then there’s park fees and the like, all adding up to about a thousand dollars if you want to reach the top. “Commercialised” doesn’t quite cover it. So just having a stroll on the foot of the mountain wouldn’t really be as nice as it had seemed.
Instead, we just went to visit Arusha town, which I think was what Asheri preferred anyway. What I noticed really early was that the people were a fair bit more rude there. They weren’t afraid to come crowding around you, desperately calling you to enter their taxi or to buy their stuff, even if you just want to pass. You don’t see that a lot in Morogoro, which is quite a blessing. But besides about a billion salesmen we also met with Joshua, which was of course great. He’s now well and truly studying. In case I didn’t mention, he studies English for major and Swahili for his minor. He seems to do well, especially at the speaking part. So we had a nice stroll around town, saw a few places, talked a lot while having some sodas etc. Just a very nice, though tiring time. We also had lunch, but I think that’s what made me (more) ill later.
The following day we had to get up very early to go back again, which was good since it meant we’d arrive in Morogoro “early” too. While in the buss we saw even more salesmen, though it wasn’t as bad as on Wednesday. Back then, at some point, there were about twenty people all wanting to sell nets of oranges to the passengers of our bus. Twenty people with oranges, and they all seemed to be rather desperate. The saddest thing was when one lady actually wanted to buy a net, and a guy had handed it over through the window, the bus left before any money could be exchanged. When the lady dropped the fruit to give it back, I think it got under a wheel... You’d say there has to be some better way for these guys to make a living, surely they see that markets can be oversaturated too.
So now we’re safe at home once again. Tomorrow I’ll be heading to Dar Es Salaam, and on Saturday to that other, somewhat more real home. Of course I’ll still tell you how that was here, but by that time many of you will be able to just come and ask about it yourself as well.
As for that last “adventure”, I had some concern regarding my suitcase. You see, in Dar Es Salaam the thievery is apparently so bad your mobile phone isn’t even safe when you’re holding it in your hand. And then I’d be there, shining white and with a huge, 30 kg suitcase... So to avoid the otherwise inevitable we made a dastardly plan: Niwaely, my fellow teacher who now studies in Dar Es Salaam, actually went there with my suitcase yesterday. She is of course black, which helps tonnes, and has a place nearby the bus terminal to store my suitcase safely. The only thing is that Niwa was in a bit more danger... But I just heard that she arrived safely. Thank God for His protection there! A second, less pressing issue was that I had to toil the suitcase through all the way to Niwa’s house, under the African, dry season, midday sun. My right arm was absolutely useless for a while after that. But tomorrow I’ll only have to go with a backpack mostly filled with t-shirts and underwear – and if they steal that it’s not too bad. That’s quite a blessing, too.
The last week has been rather exhausting, I think mainly because I became ill again. It was the same sort of thing as that other time, but not as bad because I didn’t take medicine this time... I’m not sure how I got it, but I think the heat as well as eating a whole loaf of YWAM bread may have something to do with it. The latter is known for its ability to stop things from going.
But we also actually went to Arusha, we being Asheri and me. It was a ten hour trip, so Wednesday and Saturday were spent mostly on lazying in the bus and staring out the window. Which was nice in a way – I got to see a lot of Tanzania which I otherwise wouldn’t have at all. There were some very, very beautiful sight there, it looked really nice. Lush green planes and hills all the way to the horizon... But I admit I slept for quite a while too.
The place that we stayed at itself was (as I may have mentioned) another YWAM base. It’s about the size of the one I’m at, but is much more densely built and populated. I actually quite like it, there’s always people about here and there, it feels very nice. It has more stuff in general actually – more cars, more refrigerators, wireless internet, showerheads, and that most wonderful of blessings: toilets you can actually sit on. But, for some strange reason, they don’t have plates.
On Thursday we got to see the computer school, which was very good. We got a lot of questions answered and our idea regarding it has become quite a bit more clear. One of the teachers there, who was also the one that kept us company and showed us around the Arusha base, was actually a guy from the US. He name is Nick, I think he was about my age. He was really quite a blessing to us. He had only ten students, in a pretty large classroom. In fact, here we’ll try stuffing sixteen in one that’s about three times smaller. Wonder how that’ll be... But anyway, we joined their class, interviewed Nick, had lunch, interviewed him some more... It was our “data gathering” day.
Friday though, we were free. This was the time I would have liked to climb the Kilimanjaro... But we heard that for that, we would need to hire one guy to be our guide, another one to carry our stuff and then yet another one for an equally stupid reason as the other two, which I can’t even remember. And then there’s park fees and the like, all adding up to about a thousand dollars if you want to reach the top. “Commercialised” doesn’t quite cover it. So just having a stroll on the foot of the mountain wouldn’t really be as nice as it had seemed.
Instead, we just went to visit Arusha town, which I think was what Asheri preferred anyway. What I noticed really early was that the people were a fair bit more rude there. They weren’t afraid to come crowding around you, desperately calling you to enter their taxi or to buy their stuff, even if you just want to pass. You don’t see that a lot in Morogoro, which is quite a blessing. But besides about a billion salesmen we also met with Joshua, which was of course great. He’s now well and truly studying. In case I didn’t mention, he studies English for major and Swahili for his minor. He seems to do well, especially at the speaking part. So we had a nice stroll around town, saw a few places, talked a lot while having some sodas etc. Just a very nice, though tiring time. We also had lunch, but I think that’s what made me (more) ill later.
The following day we had to get up very early to go back again, which was good since it meant we’d arrive in Morogoro “early” too. While in the buss we saw even more salesmen, though it wasn’t as bad as on Wednesday. Back then, at some point, there were about twenty people all wanting to sell nets of oranges to the passengers of our bus. Twenty people with oranges, and they all seemed to be rather desperate. The saddest thing was when one lady actually wanted to buy a net, and a guy had handed it over through the window, the bus left before any money could be exchanged. When the lady dropped the fruit to give it back, I think it got under a wheel... You’d say there has to be some better way for these guys to make a living, surely they see that markets can be oversaturated too.
So now we’re safe at home once again. Tomorrow I’ll be heading to Dar Es Salaam, and on Saturday to that other, somewhat more real home. Of course I’ll still tell you how that was here, but by that time many of you will be able to just come and ask about it yourself as well.
As for that last “adventure”, I had some concern regarding my suitcase. You see, in Dar Es Salaam the thievery is apparently so bad your mobile phone isn’t even safe when you’re holding it in your hand. And then I’d be there, shining white and with a huge, 30 kg suitcase... So to avoid the otherwise inevitable we made a dastardly plan: Niwaely, my fellow teacher who now studies in Dar Es Salaam, actually went there with my suitcase yesterday. She is of course black, which helps tonnes, and has a place nearby the bus terminal to store my suitcase safely. The only thing is that Niwa was in a bit more danger... But I just heard that she arrived safely. Thank God for His protection there! A second, less pressing issue was that I had to toil the suitcase through all the way to Niwa’s house, under the African, dry season, midday sun. My right arm was absolutely useless for a while after that. But tomorrow I’ll only have to go with a backpack mostly filled with t-shirts and underwear – and if they steal that it’s not too bad. That’s quite a blessing, too.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
“May God give you oversized blessings, God bless you too much.”
Unfortunately we didn’t get to go to Arusha, at least, not yet – we decided to postpone our trip a week, because there’s some graduation celebration coming week. I think I’ve had my share of those, but Asheri knows the person as it’s a member of our base.
So anyway, Timothy and Paulina’s wedding was truly great. They didn’t go to a government building as we do in the Netherlands, but they did go to a church and the YWAM conference hall for the celebration.
As for the service, if it wasn’t for the long preaching I think many of us dutchies would call it more of a party than a service. There was much dancing and singing and the like, it was very nice. After the service there was of course a real celebration, which I was told was actually a rather quiet one. There wasn’t too much shouting I suppose, a large part was just introducing the visitors and the two families. You could really see that besides the union of two people a wedding is also the union of two families. The families had special seats, and they were given time to introduce themselves, and at dinner time the parents of the two families had a special, separate place so that they could talk together. Also, Timothy and Paulina had to offer one “level” of the wedding pie to their now partner’s family. Of course the couple had to feed each other, and Obadiah and his wife too, as seems to be normal in any celebration that involves a cake here.
Obadiah and his wife had the special roles of best man and best maid. That meant they had to stay close to the wedding couple at all times (even when the couple had to be in front, which was nearly all the time), wipe the sweat of their foreheads, proper the dress, carry the above mentioned pie levels etc. Quite an honour!
One of the last things, which was done in a more celebrative fashion, was of course the giving of gifts. They now have a house to decorate, so they needed quite a few things. And they got them too, but then there were probably well over a hundred guests. There were also a few Maasai, actually, who were given special time to dress the couple in typical Maasai fashion.
I actually had breakfast with them the next morning – they couldn’t really go home since the wedding ended somewhat late. As for Timothy and Paulina, well, until this Saturday they had honeymoon, at this base. After the wedding there really wasn’t any money left for a trip, unfortunately. I think they really have been blessed with each other, even though the nervousness was drooping from their faces during the wedding I think a wonderful thing happened there.
As for my own daily business, I have spent my time working on the computer school, with things as the layout. We decided that it was better if I focused on that rather than the technology school. The main issue there is the lack of a teacher, the other things are relatively easy to do once one is available and can give some input. No, I’m not very much suited for this... It’s mostly about practical stuff, I only know the theory. I have about three days left here to work, I realised – the rest will be spent in either Arusha or Dar Es Salaam. But somewhere that’s ok, I feel like my task here is almost complete, a “closed chapter” as it were. Of course I might still come back... But for now there’s plenty waiting for me in the Netherlands.
So anyway, Timothy and Paulina’s wedding was truly great. They didn’t go to a government building as we do in the Netherlands, but they did go to a church and the YWAM conference hall for the celebration.
As for the service, if it wasn’t for the long preaching I think many of us dutchies would call it more of a party than a service. There was much dancing and singing and the like, it was very nice. After the service there was of course a real celebration, which I was told was actually a rather quiet one. There wasn’t too much shouting I suppose, a large part was just introducing the visitors and the two families. You could really see that besides the union of two people a wedding is also the union of two families. The families had special seats, and they were given time to introduce themselves, and at dinner time the parents of the two families had a special, separate place so that they could talk together. Also, Timothy and Paulina had to offer one “level” of the wedding pie to their now partner’s family. Of course the couple had to feed each other, and Obadiah and his wife too, as seems to be normal in any celebration that involves a cake here.
Obadiah and his wife had the special roles of best man and best maid. That meant they had to stay close to the wedding couple at all times (even when the couple had to be in front, which was nearly all the time), wipe the sweat of their foreheads, proper the dress, carry the above mentioned pie levels etc. Quite an honour!
One of the last things, which was done in a more celebrative fashion, was of course the giving of gifts. They now have a house to decorate, so they needed quite a few things. And they got them too, but then there were probably well over a hundred guests. There were also a few Maasai, actually, who were given special time to dress the couple in typical Maasai fashion.
I actually had breakfast with them the next morning – they couldn’t really go home since the wedding ended somewhat late. As for Timothy and Paulina, well, until this Saturday they had honeymoon, at this base. After the wedding there really wasn’t any money left for a trip, unfortunately. I think they really have been blessed with each other, even though the nervousness was drooping from their faces during the wedding I think a wonderful thing happened there.
As for my own daily business, I have spent my time working on the computer school, with things as the layout. We decided that it was better if I focused on that rather than the technology school. The main issue there is the lack of a teacher, the other things are relatively easy to do once one is available and can give some input. No, I’m not very much suited for this... It’s mostly about practical stuff, I only know the theory. I have about three days left here to work, I realised – the rest will be spent in either Arusha or Dar Es Salaam. But somewhere that’s ok, I feel like my task here is almost complete, a “closed chapter” as it were. Of course I might still come back... But for now there’s plenty waiting for me in the Netherlands.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
T minus three...
I fear that just like the students I’ll be counting the weeks from now... Three more to go, so you’ll likely see only two more blogposts written in Tanzania here! That’s crazy, at least from my point of view, it’s hard to think it’s almost over. Well, over... I don’t think my Africa episode will end very soon, but it’ll be a good while anyway.
By the time I post this the wedding is probably over, but I wrote it just before so I’ll have to tell about that later. I’m excited anyway, Africans are really, really celebrative. And marriage is of course one of the most celebrated celebrations... I do wonder! Even now you hear people making “hululululululu” sounds every now and then, as is custom for some tribes just before a marriage. Poor Timothy has been busy all week going here and there, trying to find money for the rings, visiting the obligatory parties, the marriage teachings etc. By far most responsibilities are on his shoulders. Obadiah is helping him, he was one of my students (... it feels very weird to able to say that, actually), and is now Timo’s best man.
I’m happy to report that the electricity is back more or less constantly by now. We had a fair bit of rain last week, so I think there’s enough in the dam to keep us going for a while. Unfortunately, just as that was fixed our water pump broke, so there wasn’t running water for some three days. We have wells here though, and though showering using a bucket is even more uncomfortable than using the high tap, it did the trick. The pump has been fixed now, so I think everyone spent their morning showering and washing clothes.
Also, the DTS people came back last Thursday, so the base is quite a bit more lively. They had quite a rough time, having to work on the foundation of a church... During said rain, and also harsh sunlight. Two apparently got ill too, but they’re doing better now.
As for Arusha, we’ll be leaving coming Wednesday, I wonder how that’ll be. It’s said to be quite a nice area. Joshua will show us his university, and I still hope to persuade them into climbing Kilimanjaro, at least a short distance. At the 17th I hope to go to Dar Es Salaam, to stay with Obadiah for a few days. Hopefully we’ll visit Zanzibar, among other places, which is said to be one of those “holiday paradises”, though is also nearly completely Islamic. After that, home... Somehow I think I’ll have to get used to that just as much as I had to get used to this place!
By the time I post this the wedding is probably over, but I wrote it just before so I’ll have to tell about that later. I’m excited anyway, Africans are really, really celebrative. And marriage is of course one of the most celebrated celebrations... I do wonder! Even now you hear people making “hululululululu” sounds every now and then, as is custom for some tribes just before a marriage. Poor Timothy has been busy all week going here and there, trying to find money for the rings, visiting the obligatory parties, the marriage teachings etc. By far most responsibilities are on his shoulders. Obadiah is helping him, he was one of my students (... it feels very weird to able to say that, actually), and is now Timo’s best man.
I’m happy to report that the electricity is back more or less constantly by now. We had a fair bit of rain last week, so I think there’s enough in the dam to keep us going for a while. Unfortunately, just as that was fixed our water pump broke, so there wasn’t running water for some three days. We have wells here though, and though showering using a bucket is even more uncomfortable than using the high tap, it did the trick. The pump has been fixed now, so I think everyone spent their morning showering and washing clothes.
Also, the DTS people came back last Thursday, so the base is quite a bit more lively. They had quite a rough time, having to work on the foundation of a church... During said rain, and also harsh sunlight. Two apparently got ill too, but they’re doing better now.
As for Arusha, we’ll be leaving coming Wednesday, I wonder how that’ll be. It’s said to be quite a nice area. Joshua will show us his university, and I still hope to persuade them into climbing Kilimanjaro, at least a short distance. At the 17th I hope to go to Dar Es Salaam, to stay with Obadiah for a few days. Hopefully we’ll visit Zanzibar, among other places, which is said to be one of those “holiday paradises”, though is also nearly completely Islamic. After that, home... Somehow I think I’ll have to get used to that just as much as I had to get used to this place!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)