Dar for workshops!
on Kev in Tanzania (Tanzania), 04/Aug/2009 04:52, 34 days ago
And that is not Darfur workshops, I am in Tanzania not Sudan!Had a pretty busy week last week and here is the update.Friday 24th JulyI made my presentation for the workshops that would be running on 28th and 29th of July in Dar. Lots of nice pictures and information about what I had been doing so far in Mpwapwa.It was my last day on duty and I told the tutors in the meeting (in Kiswahili) that I was going to Dar for meetings next week.In the evening Ben, Matayo and myself went over to Thads to play scrabble and have some wine. It was good fun and the last time we would all be together in Mpwapwa as Ben was due to leave on August 4th.Saturday 25th JulyWent to market to buy a new cockerel with Matayo. He was nice and big and hopefully would breed with my hens. I also bought my bus ticket for Dar and made sure everything was ready.Sunday 26th JulyMatayo came over and I gave some more films to watch. We wanted to go to ICT but as Lubuva and Allan away Mr Mgullo was keeping the keys and not opening up on the weekend (he was worried about security but this meant they would lose money from weekend outside guests...) I did manage to text him and he opened it up so I could put my laptop in the server room locker for safe keeping while in Dar.Got an early night so I could jump on the bus at 6am.Monday 27th JulyJumped on bus and travelled to Dar. Had Mr Kipalimoto and Mr Jumanne on the bus with me. Trip was fine but a little cold in the morning. As I was sat at the front the driver keeps the window open (to keep himself awake) but it meant there was a cold draft for me most of the journey. I got my travel towel out and wrapped my arms in it!It was strange being in Dar without Liz and there was no one else in Econolodge I knew. It was however fantastic to have a nice hot shower, really made me feel refreshed.I walked to the shoprite near the Scandanavia bus station and bought some supplies to take back to Mpwapwa.Tuesday 28th JulyWoke up and went to the bakery for breakfast and walked down to catch the Masaki daladala to VSO office. I bumped into Charles, Jan and David. The Dala was so packed you have to push and shove to get aboard and we had to stand the whole trip - it was hot and sticky!Arrived at VSO and met the other volunteers and partners. It was nice to see Charles, Roland and Emma again! Had a morning session about gender which was the same as the one from In Country Training. It was amusing to see the older Tanzanian men and their views on what men and women should do at home!In the afternoon we had our presentations and as we were running late I made sure mine was punchy and delivered without too much waffling. It was nice to share what we have been doing and I found Rolands presentation about Moodle very interesting.Caught a cab back to Posta with Roland and Emma and in the evening I met up with Nicola (one of the med students who visited Mpwapwa) she had come back from Zanzibar and was on her way to Arusha for a safari with her friend Louise. We ate a nice curry at the Jambo Inn, I had 'Hulk' chicken, look at the picture above!At the Jambo Inn we met a guy from London called Jack and then went to the Protein Bar for a few beers before we parted and I had an early night.Wednesday 29th JulySecond day of the workshops and we were coming up plans and ideas for the next 5 years. I was little unsure about one volunteer who after criticising the ministry of Education for bossing prinicples around and not giving them a choice then tried to tell them they should implement his methods and strategies... It seemed a little rude but what do I know...It was nice working with Mr Kipalimoto andthe Principle Mr Jumbani, interesting to observe the different views between VSO and principles.At the end of the workshops we got our expenses and then parted ways. I have been invited to Iringa to visit their teachers college which was nice.In the evening I met up with Edel and her friend and we ate in the Red Onion which was tasty as usual and then went to the new Holiday Inn for a hot chocolate. Edel is a good laugh and it was nice to catch up and plan for next time we meet at leavers on the 14th of August.Went to bed early as had to catch a cab to Ubungo at 5am!Thursday 30th JulyCaught cab on time but dropped my Nutella as getting ready and smashed the jar...The bus was late leaving and seemed to take a long time. I had a seat further back and it was very cramped. Not the best bus journey I have had.I went into college and got my laptop back and had a relaxing afternoon.Friday 31st JulyI went to work and got some mail. Power went so I got Bens bike and rode to Tanesco to pay my bill and then rode to the posta to post a letter. It was nice riding a bike again although a little hard work on the hills and bumpy too - I was glad to inherit a helmet too! I will only mention in passing that only the back brake works... But I stick to riding along paths mostly where crazy drivers cannot venture and the number of cars in Mpwapwa is very small.In the evening Thad, Matayo and myself went to central garden for beers, chipsi mayai and Scrabble. The waitresses where amused by our game but did not mind us playing as we were drinking beer! I managed to score 80 points in one move which was very impressive (modest too!)Planned to travel with Matayo to Kingiti on Sunday to visit Ben on his last night in his village - that was going to be interesting...More to follow, take care!