Training

For the next 8 weeks I will be training in for going to post somewhere (yet unknown) in Tanzania. There are several components to the training regime. Most important is community integration. I am staying with a Tanzanian host family and every day we interact together and within the community. We are studying kiswahili 5 days a week from 8am to 4pm and I'm improving fast. Sasa ninaweza kuzumgumza kidogo na watu wa Morogoro. Baada ya kozi ya kiswahili kusema vizuri sana.

My host family is very warm and kind. They have the surname Dudu and they are currently observing the 25 days of Ramadon. Every day, they break the fast at 6:35pm.

It is surprising how quickly I can feel at home in the household, and It is excellent practicing kiswahili with them. Already I can feel myself integrating into the community and it feels great. I have always hated being simply a tourist. Each time I hear the word, muzungu (foreigner), I can stop and say, "I am not foreigner, I am called Sky." This and common greetings in kiswahili sets me far apart from westerners traveling through the area, and it helps me to stay safe. When the community knows and likes me, I will have as strong a support network as anywhere in the world.

I am enjoying the cultural differences such as eating with my hands (though not every family does this), personal contact, and extended greeting. Everything is wonderful and I have had no problems.

How to pack for Africa

So, I've got my slacks all together, 10 pairs of underwear, 12 pairs of sturdy socks, 7 button down shirts, fleeces, sandals, text books etc. I'll be packing most of it into my trusty Kelty frame pack (model unknown) that I've had since Boy Scouts. My strategy is to roll or fold the clothes into a rectangular mound. Then use a lightweight sheet to tie it into a neat bundle.



This works well for a couple of reasons; you get to pack a sheet (extremely useful for any trip), the closing mechanism of my pack seems to work better the more stuffed it is. It has two black catches that a drawstring cord hooks under while the upward-bulging load provides tension to keep the string hooked. Simple and ingenious really.


The one unfortunate downside of my kelty pack is it's rather limited compartment space. I would guess 2400 cubic inches. The great thing about an external frame, however is the expandability it offers by way of lashing extra gear wherever it comfortably fits. I used my two clasp buckled belts (which I planned to pack anyway) and an elastic band I salvaged from a flood-damaged photo album to secure my sleeping bag to the outside of the lumbar cradle.


This arrangement works great, I've got room to spare in my pack. A word about air travel. Even though I've checked this bag to Guatemala and China, and never lost any items, I've decided to put the whole thing in a duffel. Not only are the packs extremities protected, but I get to bring an extra bag which may come in handy while I'm in Tanzania and for the return trip. Also, I've packed most metallic items (knives, sharp tweezers, etc.) to the outer pockets. On an X-ray, the inner core should look blank and if security wants to check anything out, they hopefully will skip rooting through the clothes.

Well, that's all for now, I still have to get some gifts for a prospective host family. Ciao.

No Money!

I spent my last large chunk of change on American soil today. What did I buy you ask? Clothes mostly for my journey to Tanzania, where the people apparently expect you to wear "slacks". I'm not sure exactly what constitutes a pair of slacks, but I bought some comfy dark-khaki-casual dress pants. Next on the list was a pair of light "quick dry" pants. These turned out to be my big ticket item in fact. Thanks Dicks. I'm also trying out skype for the first time, though I'm not sure how well it will go over in my African post yet.

Well, the flood damage is mostly taken care of (yes my basement flooded recently) and I think my Peace Corps Volunteer Registration form is still acceptable, even if it has that ripply, obviously-soaked-at-one-point look. Write this one down: Carbon paper + water = mess. With the carpet all pulled out, I'm reminded of the hours during my childhood spent playing on roller racers.

Anyway, this was the first ever blog posting by Schuyler James Wood, so mark your history books or whatever you do when an egghead goes on an ego trip.

peace