…So after a year of training and language learning we have finally arrived at our intended destination! We left Riverside Campsite, our language learning base, on Saturday morning. It was very sad to leave as we had been living on the campsite since February (!) and had grown quite used to the quiet (and slightly predictable!) lifestyle. Despite this we were looking forward to being part of ‘real’ Tanzania and fending for ourselves after so long. We had stayed on for 3 extra weeks after most of our buddies had left and this had given us a great opportunity to get to know other people - campsite staff who live in the nearby village, Swahili teachers and other Language School students. This made Saturday’s parting all the more bitter-sweet! Our last Friday was a hectic day of cooking - we did a cultural session on how to cook Tanzanian food in the morning (pics to follow in a week or so), packing, goodbyes, a farewell BBQ meal – so tasty (thanks Will and Amanda!), and a campfire in the evening with new friends and some Bongo flava ‘tunes’ and dance anthems (thank you Mitchells!). It was a fitting end to a good time, we felt.
Saturday morning we were prepared to catch the bus – and the familiar Tanzanian bus experience awaited us. As Matt is known to comment, this is ‘a unique subculture in Tanzania…it’s incredible how the rest of Tanzania is so laid back but yet the buses are just crazy!’. On our arrival we were shown to our temporary place of residence in Mbeya – the Baptist Compound! Yes, temporary because our house is still having the ‘finishing touches’ put to it! It’s very odd to be in our friends, the Duncan’s (Anna is the person whose job we are ‘taking over’), old place with no Duncans (miss you guys!) and hardly any stuff. Again despite this we are so grateful for a roof and a bed (etc etc!) and for all the people that have helped us feel welcomed and looked after. Since arriving we have stocked up on food, a few household items, and are learning to live without so many luxuries. We know we will find our feet in time – it does kind of feel like ‘sink or swim’ time now! We’ll let you know the outcome soon! Especially because tomorrow we go into the office!!
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