A Long Post to Catch Up

So here we are in Uganda. everything is quite lovely here but let's back up a few days.

Jaime felt better on Wednesday and so was able to drive into Arusha for the Rotary meeting. Thank goodness for air conditioned cars!

I drove with Janet and Julie to Mwika to visit with Glory and Mama Jessica who do most of the tailoring of clothing and aprons.  I had brought some clothing with me to help explain the various ideas we wanted to get across.  Glory is just so talented!!  She pretty much understood everything once I could explain it to Janet and Janet could translate.

Then we had to address the difficult issues of her continuing to sew for Asante, and filling our orders promptly.  Last November and December we had some misunderstandings about the need for promptness and attention to detail as well as her taking other clients when Asantes orders were going unfilled.  Much discussion ensued. and then even more discussion.  And then some more. But we reached an agreement in the end--I hope.

it was a very long, hot day in Mwika, but I am hoping it will turn out to have been a profitable one for all of us. The drive home to Moshi from Mwika was also very long, hot and dusty.  Jaime returned from Arusha with good reports of her Rotary meeting; after a late supper, the bed felt so good.


Thursday we were able to sleep in a bit before heading over to Janet's workshop so Jaime could meet Puzo and we could follow the batiking process. It was amazing to watch as Janet and Puzo turned plain fabric into works of art. Draw a design in wax, dye, dry, more wax, more dye, dry a little. Then boil in water to melt out the wax, rinse in cold water to set the dye again, hang to dry and "presto", a beautiful piece of fabric.  But of course, it isn't presto, because of the time, talent and energy required.   I am so glad to have seen the process, so now when folks ask at our sales, I can explain and show photos.

Friday--up early for one day safari to Tarangire NP, known for elephants.  Long drive, but almost as soon as we were inside the gate we were slowed by giraffes and zebras and impala  in the area. Right up CLOSE!!!  Then one elephant, and more zebras and Cape buffalo.  We followed one track up and around and suddenly we were in the midst of an entire elephant herd!  It was almost scary how many there were and how close they were. Old matriarchs, mature females, teenagers and infant elephants -- all just milling around, grazing and ignoring us. it was quite remarkable, to say the least.

As well, we saw cranes, hawks, buzzards, tortoise, wart hog and mongoose.  And more and more elephants throughout the day.  Finally we had to leave for a long drive back to Moshi and dinner with Janet

We were invited to a thank-you celebration for everyone who helped with Frederick's installation as Bishop of the ELCT, Northern Dioscese. So we knew no one and couldn't understand any of the speeches but it was a lovely party and everyone seemed to be enjoying the evening.

Saturday we flew to Uganda.

Enough for now . . .