We lovingly call our house in Moshi “The Estate,” thanks to the three porches that border about half the house, our four bedrooms and five bathrooms, and our sprawling grounds of mango trees and vibrant flowers, all watched over nightly by Exaudi, the Maasai guard who lives in our basement (and just so happens to own a bow and arrow). We also share our house with a host of lizards and geckos, of which the plain ones we have taken to calling “Gary” or “Little Gary,” and the multi-colored ones “Rainbow Beasts.” They are fun additions to The Estate, but slightly startling when you lift the toilet lid at 3am and Gary darts out.
While I can hardly believe we arrived in Tanzania a week ago, it also already feels like home and that we have been here for months. Our first few days were filled to the brim, from unpacking and taking trips into Moshi town, to wedding celebrations and birthday parties. Our second night in Moshi we attended the wedding reception of Mary Beth and Talia’s colleague which was a wonderful welcome to the community and a great celebration to begin our two years. Highlights included the goat cake (a roasted goat which is danced in and then the bride and groom feed to each other like a wedding cake) and the dancing of presents to the bride and groom (particularly fun when they specifically asked our group of white folks to all dance through).
The past few afternoons have been spent reading and lounging at The Estate, primarily due to the sky opening up periodically and unexpectedly, unleashing rainstorms the like of which I’ve never seen, only to abate approximately 10 minutes later. Adventures in cooking have sustained us, and my inner fast-food junkie and sweet-tooth (care packages of US candy and chocolate will be hugely welcomed) continue to adjust to the new diet consisting of rice, beans, and vegetables. The other night I actually found myself cooking a curry rice and vegetable dish and saying, “It would be great to add some green peppers to this.” As my family and roommates can attest, that is undoubtedly the first time those words have ever escaped my lips. Make note: Baby vegetarian’s first words!
Tonight we had our weekly dinner at the Jesuit community with our primary contact in Moshi, Fr. Belige, and the three Jesuit scholastics – Albert, Christopher, and Jose (s pronounced like a z). We celebrated Talia’s birthday the other night with these four and it was enjoyable to see the brotherly interaction of the three scholastics who I foresee becoming close friends.
Early next week I am overjoyed that Nicholas Ford, a good friend from BC and an outgoing Tanzania JV from Dar, is coming through to say hello and goodbye, and a few days later we leave for retreat and our first Tanzanian Christmas with the Dar es Salaam community. Following Christmas, Beth and I will undertake homestays in the rural villages outside Moshi, and then will begin work in mid-January. I have yet to visit my work placement, Mkombozi, but am excited to see the facility and join such an incredible organization.
I could go on for days, but feel like I should stop here. Before I do, I would like to share one anecdote Beth and I received from our friend Tom during our East Africa history lesson. Tanzanian culture holds the belief that the remains of the world’s oldest man were found in Tanzania, and this created a societal mindset of Tanzania being the birthplace of humanity. For this reason, anyone coming to Tanzania is actually seen to be returning home as a brother or sister, and therefore are to be warmly welcomed as family. Such a beautiful mentality to have when meeting others and welcoming them into your life. I have undoubtedly felt this spirit among the Tanzanians we have met so far, and I am sure I will continue to find it over the next two years in my new home.
