Bukoba: Becoming a Lifestyle

Mambo everyone!!

Life in Bukoba is becoming much less hectic as I get used to the busy streets. There are motorcycles, bikes, cars, horns and colors. Everywhere, all the time. This past week we had to spend our time going to the organizations we will be working with and setting up times and dates to do our projects. We have also spent some time exploring the markets and the city. Today we went to the hospital and plan to begin there Monday. We got caught in some really heavy rain today and ran to the nearest restaurant! Always an adventure. Yesterday we met with Mr. Raza and set up the time to visit his orphanage/temple on Friday and some other hopsital visits. He also arranged for us to go to Mugeza, which is the albino orphanage. We settled all that information today, and it turns out if we had not brought suncreen, we most likely wouldn't be able to go there this year as there is such an effort to protect those kids. So Mom and Sandra---we owe you guys for your sunscreen donations!! We also met with the Secondary school yesterday to plan the organic chemistry lessons and computer lessons with the computers we are donating (I cant even stop nerding out in Africa). It has been heartwarming to hear the appreciation from these people and how our projects in the past continue to impact and help the community. I'm really loving it. I can't wait to get started on all our projects, especially teaching at the school! They had a huge sign on their chalkboard that said "Bukoba Secondary School Welcomes Biology Without Borders". It was so great. Tomorrow we will be bringing the computers and they are making a huge ceremony of it will all the students and their parents. I'm really excited to meet all the kids! I'm looking forward to filling you all in about our projects soon.

For time sake, here are some notes about Bukoba (Tanzania? Africa? I'm not sure how broadly I can generalize all this!) and experiences I've had:
-The kids here are beyond adorable. I want to take them all home (Grandma, this would be a serious problem for you). They love seeing us and always ask us "How are YOU??, how are YOU??" Its honestly the cutest thing in the world.
-I've heard the word "Mzungu" (white person) more times than I can count
-Everyone wants to make sure you know the proper way to greet and respond, so a lot of times people come up to you and just say "Mambo..Poa" or "Habari..Nzuri". Then since they have greeted you and basically responded to their own greeting its always a little awkward so come up with a response.
-Barter, barter barter! When to barter? I never really know. I've been laughed at and successful. Maybe I'll learn. I know the numbers but there are so many vowels that it all goes too fast for me to understand.
-Banks. An interesting experience. Always armed guards outside, but its not as intimidating as it seems. Yesterday the woman told me she wanted my money instead of the bank for a terrible exchange rate. This mzungu was not falling for that. I successfully exchanged today though!
-People are in no hurry. ever. I honestly don't know what people do around here all day or when kids go to school. There is a serious "Africa-time" situation here. This is probably good for me.
-I've been called "sister" often. always amusing. I also a firm handshake and a "Hey Beautiful" on the way to the internet cafe today. I've also been informed that a couple people "love" me (or want to, which sounds a lot more uncomfortable than I think they intend in translation). Its been funny. Dad, please calm down. Someone gave me "knucks" today. Or "dap" (ha, right Brandon?). Or--I don't even know what to try to call it here.
-It is obviously not socially unacceptable to laugh and stare at people. Thats also been funny!
-The Masai people around here are honestly so cool. I want to talk to them but have only gotten the chance to just see them. They are so interesting!
-My flip flop tan line is already out of control (I'm wearing my suncreen though, Sandra!)

I have so much more to tell you all! I hope everything is great back home. I'm sorry if my emails are short but its been great hearing from all of you! I'll be getting to work starting tomorrow on all these projects and will give you the details when I can! Xoxo.

Love,
Carly

P.s. I don't really have time to edit the blog, so apologies for the possible nonsense!