The Trip of a Lifetime

My whole experience in Africa has been the most amazing 6 weeks of my life. I struggle to come up with an answer when people ask me, "What was your favorite part?". Everything. I absolutely loved the people, the culture, and the chance to call Bukoba my temporary home. It would be an understatement for me to admit that I fell in love with my time there. I would go back in a second.

Turns out, I want to. I apparently am terrible at functioning as an American--
I was more sick returning home than I ever was in Bukoba
I apparently forgot how to operate my own vehicle while I was away & locked my keys in my car on the way home from the airport
I've already had to cancel appointments because I was late. 15 minutes "late" would make you early in Tanzania. Here, rather, I was obnoxiously late. Nice way to be welcomed back to the fast paced American lifestyle!
I'm overwhelmed by my phone and my computer. I lose my phone countless times everyday and forget I actually have to respond to people's calls/texts. 

I must admit if there was any consolation for leaving Bukoba, though, it was seeing my Mom at the airport with our new puppy and a slew of American food :) That goes for the rest of my family and friends-it has been so great to see everyone back home! "Reunited & it feels so good"?

 --

There is just something about being in Africa that you cannot articulate. I had so much to tell you all while I was away, and now that I'm trying to summarize the whole experience I find myself lost in every moment of the trip. I'm afraid any attempt I could make of accurately describing my last 6 weeks would fall disappointingly short of how amazing it really was; there is really no good way of communicating such an incredible opportunity.

I can say, though, that I will be returning to Africa. Among the hospital conditions I observed, the children I held and played with, the lepers I interacted with, and the people I met I couldn't stay away from this place. I have never in my life been treated so kindly by absolute strangers. It is impossible to effect change in a matter of weeks, but the chance to become an ambassador for the people I saw is an opportunity within itself that I hope to use to continue evoking change.

Possibly a picture montage may help me show you how amazing my experience was. Enjoy :)

Bukoba

Bukoba Town

Bukoba Secondary School (site of computer lab & organic chemistry)

Organic Chemistry Lessons!

The Girls and Bukoba Seco

A very typical African meal-Pilau!

Ntoma Baby Orphanage

Mugeza Albino Orphanage

The infamous Edwin!

Entrance to the Bat Cave

Africa <3

During a muddy hike to church

Soccer and Jumping Dance with the Maasai

Village in Shinyanga

Site of the Community Center for the Leprosy patients awaiting hospital stays--conditions of the housing left capacity for the center at half of what it should be able to hold

Safari!

Lions in the middle of the road, snoozin.

  Thank you ALL for keeping up to date with me while I was away :) I will be happy to chat up with you all when I see you next and tell you even more about my trip!

-Carly

An Amazing Trip Sadly Over

Hello hello!! My apologies for being MIA the past week. I'm currently waiting to board the plane back to Minneapolis and I will time travel to be home in just a few hours. Crazy. Lucky I haven't seen a return flight to Tanzania or I might have taken it! I have so much to tell you all--I will make sure to post one more blog about Shinyanga, Safari and Arusha when I'm back home tonight. Seeing the leprosy colonies in Shinyanga was life changing, to say the least. I was amazed at how welcomed we were in Shinyanga and so impressed with the work of House of Grace. I will definitely be staying in contact with them to hopefully return again (possibly next summer? Surprise Mom and Dad). Safari--there are no words to describe y!! Ngotogoro was the most incredible place I have ever been. Seeing the elephants, giraffes and zebras were definitely my favorite, and we saw so much more. I have never been dirtier than I was after standing up in a safari vehicle for 8 hours. More details and lots of pictures to come! Being back in the western world is a little crazy. My firs purchases: a newspaper, water, the best "mango & passion fruit" yogurt drink, coffee, a cheese stick and chocolate. I'm even laughing at myself. This has been by far the most amazing experience of my life. Africa gets under your skin and into your heart and I just cannot wait to come back! Look for a better post tonight and Im so excited to see you all!

Last Day in Bukoba

Sad post today :(

Its our last day in Bukoba and I have already had to fight back tears. I really cannot believe the time has gone by this fast; it seems like last week when we got here. I have had such an amazing time and being a part of this community has taught me so much. I so badly want to come back someday!

We have made the most of the past few days. On Monday evening we brough some soccer balls to the Masai who guard the dorms at Bukoba Secondary School. We started up a match, and it was so much fun! Turns out "football" does not appear to be a common sport for the Masai (I guess killing adult male lions with only a spear is a little time consuming), so it was shockingly a pretty even matched game! I continue to find ways to re-hurt my ankle at least weekly, but I'd say soccer and dancing with the Masai was absolutely worth it. We watched them do their jumping dance (youtube it people, really cool!) & they pulled me in, gave me a club, and asked me to join. Really cool right? Okay, yes, except if you've seen my vertical jump (its probably half an inch) so compared to their foot and a half jump it was really just embarrassing. I'm so glad we got to see and do that though! They way they jump and the music they make is really impressive--I'm excited for the Masai tour on Safari!

Yesterday we went to the clinic in the hospital and observed some really interesting cases. We got to compare X-rays of a dislocated shoulder before and after seperation, and saw a patient who was just in a really serios pikipiki (motorcycle) accident (ie his ear was really not even connected to his face anymore! The surgeon made sure to tell us he'd be doing some "plastic surger", which I really think he just meant some serious suturing). I bought y'all souveniers this week as well and last night we took our hosts and everyone we've met/thats helped us out to dinner at a family style restaurant! It was great to be able to treat the people who have been so kind to us here.

The ferry is leaving tonight, so we are spending today packing up. We said goodbye to the school, and they told me they wanted me to stay and continue my organic chemistry coursed. Dont doubt for a second that I didn't do a quite logistical analysis of how I could stay! Too tempting.

I will never be able to forget how friendly and welcoming the people in Bukoba have been! The ferry will take us to Mwanza in the morning, and we will be driving to Shinyanga to work with an organization, House of Grace, that helps people with leprosy. We will be there for 3 days, then we will be traveling through Serengeti for Safari! If there is one consolation for leaving Bukoba, its definitely the prospect of exploring a new city and tenting in the middle of Serengeti National Park in less than a week! I'll take lots of pictures :)

I may not be able to get to internet, so this may be my last post until Amsterdam! I will be so excited to see you all, have some fabulous American food (aka, Mom will you please make me a chicken ceasar salad with milk and chocolate cake for dinner on the 27th? You're the best!), get a hug from my momma, be once again reunited with my long lost roomate, see my puppy and tell you all about this trip!

Prepare Minnesota for me!

Xoxo
Carly 

A Weekend to Remember

Habari!

I might venture to say I've just had one of the best weekends in years, or possibly ever. It was so much fun and I could honestly cry thinking about leaving Bukoba. I can't believe I need to take the ferry back this Wednesday night. I make everyone stop talking about it when it gets brought up!

Friday night was the night in the Bandas--so much fun! I have so many great stories and memories. The Bandas were really nice and we sat on the beach around a campfire and looked at the stars until really late. It was beautiful  was amazing to wake up in a banda to the sound of Lake Victoria. We even got up to watch the sunrise. Saturday afternoon we headed off to William's village. We hiked while we were there and we had a huge meal of matoke, pilau, beans, and meat with banana leaves as spoons under the stars. Our group layed out on a big tent outside for hours after dinner. We slept in tents outside under the banana trees (that I obviously helped to pitch, Brian--the years of tenting in Crane really paid off!). In the morning we basically scaled Mt. Kilimanjaro to get to church (okay fine, it was just a very steep hill but it felt mountainous). Church was...long (2 and a half hours of Roman Catholicism in Swahili--oofta). It was definitely interesting to see though and I'm really glad we went! We spend yesterday afternoon at the beach and relaxed.

I guess its hard for me to describe well how great this weekend and whole trip has been. I can't wait for safari but I'm sad to leave everyone we've met here. I am so excited to see you all when I get home though!

Xoxo

Hi hi!

Just a quick update today!

This week we dropped off a bunch of school supplies and sheets at the Tumaini Street Kids Center (200 notebooks, 200 pens, protractors, calculators, chalk, ect). It was great to be able to donate supplies for those kids and help support a really well run organization. We also visited Budap this week, which is a organization in Bukoba that empowers disabled people by teaching them how to make things like jewelry and drums so they can make a living. We bought some souvenirs and visited the Bukoba museum while we were there. Last night we went back to watch another soccer game at the same restaurant. Go Germany? We cheered for our new friend Fab. We also all learned how to make matoke last night, which are cooked plantains with a bunch of veggies. I peeled 3 plantains in the time it took Zaharan to peel 15. We were so slow that eventually our friends took over and cut up all the veggies for us--so we sort of made it ourselves?

Today we visiting a private hospital to watch some really interesting operations--it was the 5 star hotels of hospitals compared to the Bukoba Hospital! The difference was amazing. The operations were also really cool to watch. After the hospital we stopped to hike and look at some rock paintings that were done allegedly in 300 bc. The views across the plains were absolutely incredible--it made us all so excited for Safari! Tomorrow night we are staying at the Bandas on the beach and Saturday we are going to William's village!

Meaghan--Becca and I are reading Fool Me Twice and having very nice "Dean's Scholars" conversations about them! Pass the word onto Dean Elde that his books have traveled all the way to Africa!

I've had some extra time this week to relax and its been so nice--There's not a whole lot better than drinking smoothies made of fresh fruit while looking at the beautiful African landscape!

I'm getting really excited to see you all when I get back--June 27th will come fast! I also had a dream about a room full of sub sandwiches. Its clearly time for some American food.

xoxo

Happy Birthday to my big bro! (June 13!)

I don't think I'll be able to blog tomorrow--so I must give an advanced Happy Birthday to my Big Bro! Love you Curt && I miss you like crazy! Keep your phone on you so I can give you a birthday call!

(And the rest of you--make sure to leave him a facebook post or a phone call tomorrow!)

xoxo

Me--the Adventurist?

Hey hey!

I have so much to tell you guys! Its been such a great past couple days.

Friday night we went to our friend Rasta's house and he made us dinner--fish, matoke, bananas and avacado! Yum. Saturday we visited Mugeza, which is a village outside of Bukoba. In the morning we went to the Mugeza Deaf orphanage. It was really interesting to watch the kids interact with each other. The teacher introduced us and explained that we were there to visit and that we had six soccer balls to donate. It was really impressive to see the teacher translate from English to Swahili to sign language. We spent the morning warming up with the kids and just playing around with the ball. Some of the younger boys showed us all their gymnast tricks (stunting Brandon!) and it was amazing! They did so many backflips and back handsprings in a row. We got a soccer game organized and didn't do too terribly (with the help of some of the kids, Zaharan and a few other guides)! I couldn't say no & it was definitely worth the re-swollen ankle. (Dont worry guys, I'm resting up for soccer again this Friday) My first soccer game reffed in sign language! I loved hearing all the kids laughing and seeing them have so much fun with the new balls.

After the deaf orphanage we went to the Albino and Disabled orphanage where we cleaned all the dorms. I have to admit, its hard to see any progress cleaning cracked and broken concrete floors, but knowing the cleaning solution was at least doing something was promising. We spent a lot of time with the kids as well, and I was reunited with Edwin!! I think he recognized me right away from my necklace, and he even asked me how I was, a huge change from last weekend when he said nothing to me. He also told me he was "fine, thank you" and then said a lot more in Swahili that I didn't catch. We also gave the albino and disabled orphanage 6 soccer balls and they loved playing with them also. It was definitely a full day worth of happy kids!

Sunday we relaxed on the beach and met a German intern here,  who invited us to watch a soccer game at a restaurant with us last night. It was fun pretending (yes, pretending) to be a soccer fan (proud of me, Peter?). Sunday night we also played a pictionary-like game that was really fun-I can't remember the last time I cried so hard from laughing.

Monday was definitely a favorite day for me! Carly--the non-adventurist, climbed through the jungle to a waterfall and crawled through a batcave. I'll specify. By "climbing through the jungle" I literally mean I walked on rocks across a river and held onto tree vines (and anything else that would hold me up) to get to this waterfall--barefoot. The whole time convincing myself that spiders and snakes did not exist in that small stretch of wilderness (which, after seeing the aftermath of two snake bites during rounds at the hospital this morning I'm glad I did this yesterday). It was so great! Right after that we went to this bat cave and crawled through it. Yes, I do mean a bat cave, as in there were multiple bats flying around in the 3 vertical feet I had to maneuver through (my one Ace Ventura moment Dad & Tommy!). Big day for me, considering I'm generally afraid to even take public transportation when I'm at home. Later in the day we went to the baby orphanage. Whats cuter that 15 1 year old little babies around a big plate of rice eating with their hands? Nothing--Grandma, I don't think you could have walked away empty handed. We got to give them all baths and play with them outside after they had lunch.


Also--I found ice cream AND yogurt! HUGE SUCCESS PEOPLE! Not the best of either, but they were delicious considering my lack of dairy here.

I can't believe I leave Bukoba in almost a week. I don't want to leave!! I am really looking forward to the Bandas Friday night and Safari next week! Give me some updates on MN when y'all get a chance!

Miss you all!
Carly

Fun Facts from Bukoba

Mambo!

Today we had our last computer class at Bukoba Secondary School. The girls have improved so much and its great to see them using all the computers. We are hoping to meet with the teachers next week to follow up on how the computers can be used for the classes. Yesterday we bought school supplies for Tumaini, which is th e street kids center we visited earlier this week. We basically bought out the whole bookstore and got 200 noteooks, 200 pens, gluesticks, scissors, chalk, calculators and protractors. We are all really excited to go back and deliver the supplies to the kids!

Last night Bahati (who makes us chips mayai and is our guard) brought us a bunny. Apparently he brought it for us as a new pet, so we made it a little cage (out of a cardboard box?). Bahati drops by to bring the bunny food--he doesn't really speak English so its as mystery to all of us how long (and why) we haev the bunny but we named it Miko (which means allergy in Swahili because Kevin is allergic).

We also learned how to dance African style last night at the pub. We all danced with our friends from town and our guides. Its was a great time!

Hope you are all well back home!
Carly 

Hello helloo!

Not too much of an update from the other side of the world but wanted to check in and say hi to everyone! Yesterday and today we have continued our computer classes at the school and the girls are starting to do really well! I went to the hospital again this morning and listed to the morning meeting with all the doctors-its great to get the chance to hear them talk about all the patients and argue over the diagnoses! We also went to a street kids center yesterday and watched the kids sing and dance for us. It was a really well run organization and we are planning on buying school supplies for all the kids to use before we leave. The center, Tumaini, takes kids that have run away from home and gives them housing and counseling. They also reconnect them with their family and resolve the issues that made the kids run away, and then follow up with the family after they have returned. Watching the singing and dancing was so great! Such impressive rhythm. This weekend we are going back to Mugeza. Next weekend we are staying in bandas at the beach one night and in our tour guides village the other night, so I'm getting really excited about that! (Mom--I can literally see the concern on your face right now, don't worry! Our guides will be with us the whole time!).

I rolled my ankle on my run on Wednesday, which has made the half hour walk into town across the hilly & rocky roads slightly painful but the swelling is going down so its all good! I'll be healed up for our soccer match next Friday. And I was coincidentally talking about how I am less clumsy when I run the second I rolled my ankle--typical of me!

A few more interesting things:
I've gotten tongue in my market food twice now. I have not eaten it. Not planning on it.
The big dipper and the moon are both "upside down" on this side of the equator! Obviously, I guess, but surprised me when I saw that.
Traffic laws? Don't exist. Mayhem on the roads.
The food ladies at the market now fight over us. Its hilarious.
We found hot dogs at the food store here!! Huge success. Can't wait for some American food tonight. 
We will never stop being Mzungus--the kids never get tired of yelling that at us! And its still cute.

Next week we are doing all sorts of new things so I'm looking forward to updating you all about that then! Possibly won't be back on till Tuesday though.

Love you all!
Carly

Surgery #2 and Lake Victoria!

Hi hi hi!

I just came from the market today, where I had cooked plantains and beans in a tomato sauce (its called Matoke here). Delicious, and so cheap (honestly, $1.00). I also pitted two of the market cooks against one another in price so I got it even cheaper (ha!).

Today I spend the morning at the hospital and got to see another really interesting surgery! It was a cyst removal on the bladder of an 85 year old woman (who, I might add, did not look 85 at all). I was still fascinated to see all the operation. Even just seeing the conditions of the operating room is so interesting, and different. For example, the woman just walked herself right into the OR and didn't get any anesthesia until after they had prepped her (she got an epidural--legitimately the largest needle I have ever seen. After that and the maternity ward, childbirth couldn't seem more unappealing!). The nurse just chatted away with her while I watch the operation. The nurse also answered 3 cell phone calls during the surgery. Totally normal here. Crazy! Its great when the surgeons stop and explain things to us too.

Sunday we spend the day on the beach and yesterday we went to Ntoma, which is where the baby orphanage is. They are really well funded so it was great to see such a well-run orphanage. The babies were of course adorable. I was one of the lucky ones that didn't get peed on (no diapers, so surprise!). After the orphanage we went over to a beach there and went swimming in Lake Victoria! It was great. I'm also getting to know our tour guides and they are so fun. Ashley--love Zaharan!

Thats all for now! I have some lengthy emails to tend to from my momma and my fabulous roommate (who keep me quite updated while I'm gone, I love it!)

Xoxo
Carlyle. 

Scrubbed up!

Hey guys!!

Its been an exciting past couple days. I scrubbed in for my first surgery yesterday!! And by scrubbed in I mean I literally put on all the scrubs, face mask, gloves and everything (I even helped the surgeon tie up his scrubs--no big deal). It was SO so awesome and I loved every second. I think I've regained my shaken confidence about working in a hospital after the maternity ward. I got to stand right next to the surgeon during the surgery while they performed a hernia repair operation that lasted about 2 hours. I had no idea what I was watching, but I saw a lot of abdominal tissue and the abdominal cavity. It was really great (and I didn't feel queasy at all). I also followed that doctor around the hospital as he did his morning rounds and he explained a lot to us. I'm so excited I got to have the chance to be in the OR!

Today we went to Mugeza, which is the albino and disabled orphanage. Last night we prepared all the suncreen bottles by writing directions on them in Swahili and put together all the clothes. We showed them how to use the suncreen today and we distributed the clothes. The kids were all in great spirits, but it was still a really sad place. Most of the albinos have families at home but can't live there as it is too dangerous for them due to believes about albinos and witchcraft. They are too persecuted at home so they stay at this orphanage. So many of them have terrible burns and really dry & cracked skin. They sleep in small rooms with so many bunk beds--generally about 40 kids in one dorm with about 30 beds. The rest of the kids are disabled. Despite their conditions, they were all happy and played with us for the morning. I befriended a young blind boy named Edwin. I saw him alone in the back of the classroom and gave him a tshirt. When I noticed him trying to walk around by himself after I picked him up, helped him with the candy we all gave him and held him for the next 2 hours we were there. He loved playing with my necklace and my backpack. It was hard to leave him! I wanted to take him home with me. It was great to just give all the kids attention there.


Outside of the projects we have been having a really great time with the group. I've taught everyone how to "Shake It Out" (thank you Kristen)--needless to say we're having a lot of fun. We've even made some interesting dinners that have been less tasty than just comical. Its hard to cook here!

Love you all :)