Hello from Arusha!

Hey Hey,
Another update. Im doing well...trying to update lots now as I know that I wont have as much of an opportunity once i get to placement.

Can't believe how fast the holidays are going! After a 12hr bus trip (with no air conditioning or open windows!!) we FINALLY arrived in Arusha and got a bit of a shock as its really cold here. Arusha is up near the Kenyan border and is home of Mt Kilimanjaro. It is so much prettier than down south (where Im placed) as is very mountainous and lush up this way (whereas its very flat and dry down south unfortunately). Arrived at Arusha Backpackers at about the same time as the 4 Waamuzi guys (Alex, Angus, Cindy and Candice) so was really nice as the 4 Kilombero girls were already here so the 10 of us have been able to hang out.

On Monday all 10 of us went to St Judes which was just AWESOME. Had the best day there! Its incredible to think one Aussie girl with a dream did something that amazing!! I've read the book but its about 100x better in the flesh. And so much more has been done since the book was written. Was a real shame though as Gemma, the lady who started the school, was in a meeting all day so we couldnt meet her. But was still a really great day and we got to look around and go into some of the classes and have lunch with the kids (the best rice and beans I have had so far in Africa!). I have a lot of respect for such a person, it is so obvious how many lives she is changing every single day! I spoke to a form 1 girl (approx yr 7) and she spoke really good english, whereas at Government schools like Ikwiriri, form 1 students cant speak english at all or very very little. She is giving kids that are so poor and disadvantaged and, thus, would have no hope otherwise, a real start in the world and a chance to really do something with their lives. It is so admirable, I dont think I could ever do something like that!

We decided not to go on Safari as was taking too long to organise etc so we were running out of time and found out that September (which is when we next have hols) is when the migration happens so is the best time to do safari so will wait until then. So yesterday (Tues) Casey, Alex and I went for a waterfall walk which was really fun but hard work! My thigh muscles are feeling it today. We walked from about 10am until 6pm with only a short stop for lunch. It involved a few hour up hill walk, a very steep drop down the mountain with a tiny, muddy path cut through it to get down there (and then get back up), then a barefoot walk through the freezing water for about an hour until we arrived at the bottom of a stunning waterfall. Reminded me quite alot of rainforests in Australia. Then we turned around and walked all the way back. Was a fun day and our guide, Moody, was cool.

Today we have had a lazy day, just lounging around and going out for meals. Went to a little gelato bar for lunch (what a find!) and had spinach and ricotta ravioli with pesto sauce (YUMM!) and then double choc gelato and Alex and I got a chocolate brownie takeaway for later because it looked too good to resist. So has been a real indulgent day.

Tomorrow we are heading off to a Masai camp where we are staying overnight which Im really looking forward to. Have already spoken to some Masai which I found interesting so it will be amazing to go and live with them in their village for a night and see their culture and customs in action.

Will get back to Arusha on Friday and then will leave for Morogoro on Saturday to begin the journey back to Ikwiriri.

Well thats about it at the moment,
Alisha