Sigh . . .

Sawa.  Meme hapa kwa Mailisita na Janet na Frederick.

Finally, I am here in Mailisita with Janet and Frederick.  Tanga region was so beautiful.  Long drive through amazing country-side, then another 'short cut' on more washed out gravel, broken macadam, mud track to Pangani.  Impressions of the drive from Moshi:  miles and miles of sisal plantations and coconut estates; bananas everywhere; brilliant emeralds of rice paddies sparkling against the burnt red ochre of the hills; mountains; busy villages and motorcycles!

Took the little ferry across the river to the coastal area, then more rough track to the beach house Janet rented for us.  Too bad we got there after dark and (of course) the power was off.  Nevertheless, Kathy and I immediately ran out to the beach and waded in the Indian Ocean.  Can't remember the last time I was in ocean water that warm.  After dinner we all just fell into bed.

Not much to write about for the next 3 days except a morning swim at sunrise, breakfast on the veranda of fresh fruit and ginger tea, walking up and down the beach to the neighboring villages, lunch of fresh caught fish or shrimp, swim in the afternoon, maybe walk some more, then a cold (depending on whether or not there was electricity for the refrigerator) beer, dinner and another swim!  Pretty idyllic all around. 

We did spend a fair amount of time talking to Janet and Ima about the future of Miichi Women, Asante's involvement with Miichi, short and long term goals for the group and the individual women, challenges the group faces, possible new markets for their products, etc. 

We also have a lot to think about as Asante -- our continuing projects and the dismal failure of our on-line store in generating sales.  We can continue with church talks and bazaars, but the bazaars are wearing for Stan, Kathy and Pat in California as well as Mary Ann in the midwest.  And, most of our sales are during the holiday season, which means we can't order much from the women in TZ and UG in February, March and April.  So anyone who reads this, or anyone who you might send it to -- if you are interested, or you know of anyone who might be interested in a presenttion aboout Asante, the various women's groups, or Tanzania in general, please, please let me know!  We are always ready and eager to share our experiences and the lives of the women with everyone.

We traveled one day from the beach house to Saadani National Park which is the newest park in Tanzania.  It is (again) a long, rough ride, but worth it.  We didn't have the chance to take the river safari, but did do a couple of game drives within the park and saw many many giraffes, waterbuck, reedbuck and birds.  And a few warthogs!  Didn't see any elephants, because the area used to be a hunting reserve, and the animals are quite wary of people.  Unfortunately, it was the wrong season for flamingos  :-(

And then, all too soon, it was tme to rejoin the real world.  I find it difficult to reconcile the villages we have been in with the experience at the beach house.  There is a huge disconnect between the two.  It is impossible for me to weave the 2 Tanzanias together into a cohesive whole.

This internet is iffy, at best.  I'm going to try and publish this because I can't seem to save it. 

Well, now it seems to be working well . . . this is Tanzania -- intermittent, chaotic, desperately poor, close family and friends, lots of community interaction, sporadic, and then it occassionally seems to function perfectly!  Just like the electricity and the internet. 

Yesterday Stan and I went to visit another school while Kathy stayed here to work with the seamstresses on sizing of the clothing.  Will write more later; we are off to Arusha for a few final items and to drop Stan and Kathy at their lodging.  They will catch the early morning plane to Uganda; I will stay here with Janet and Frederick one more night, and then catch the late plane back to the US.  Kwaheri for now; tuta onana badaiye.