Today was one of my reminder days. That's not to say I'm not happy -- I'm ecstatic that the students have all finally arrived, we only lost 2 bags, and they're excitedly beginning their Swahili courses and technical labs.
I spent the last week in Tanzania by myself mostly, connecting with some friends and meeting interesting people along the way in Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, and then back here at TCDC in Arusha. I flew from Dar to Arusha, arriving just after the sunset and was greeted by the sweet, sweet air of the African plains. Breathe deep, look up, and it's a whole different world. The sky has never been so big and stars have never been so clear. The feelings of coming home rushed back and were affirmed by the taxi driver who received a phone call, "are you bringing my daughter to me??"
As we drove the straight, flat road across the plains and under the stars I had to remind myself that this familiarity, this comfort was going to be completely new to the students coming in the next two days.
I stayed at the training center for 1 and a half days before the students arrived, and I was impatient as anything. The teachers here (many of whom recognized me!!!) laughed as I paced and checked my watch over and over again. Finally we had them all here -- bleary eyed, excited, and all together.
The excitement of beginning the program, of showing them the new place and surroundings, of watching them absorb the language, the people, the plants, and the animals (oh, the animals)incredible.
But now, after a full day of interaction, getting to know, and learning more about each student (there is still much more to learn), I am content, overwhelmed, happy, and exhausted. So now I remind myself to take some alone time, leave them to learn things on their own, and make sure to find a pace we can maintain for the next two months.
Hope you're doing well Lora! I'm off to South Africa in a few weeks.
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