"If You Wanna Learn About Culture, Don't Ask a Fish"

Well the title is just one of the very funny quotes that get uttered every morning in class. This one is from Dr.A.

Well Sorry I didn't get a post out last week. I'll try to do a run down of some things that have happened here. Since my last post we have been at campus. Classes are going well. We have reading every night and next week we will start running in to our first quizzes and tests! We also have a project for Bio for the semester and a bird journal so all you Houghton students, don't think we're slacking here :) Swahili is still intense but our teacher is awesome and I think we're all learning quickly.

I wanna tell you about my new friend Horatio. He is the parchment spider who has taken up residence in mine and Hannah's banda. He only comes at night and leaves in the morning. He stays on the ceiling and does not bother me (our terms are clear in order to keep the friendship). He just eats bugs all night while I sleep peacefully. He's about 3-4 inches wide and super duper flat. Google one because I can't get my pictures on to the computer right now. I have gotten used to him and sleep just fine. I know. Crazy for me to say! What is Africa doing to me?!

The other day some of us walked to the local village and talked to some people. It was very difficult to communicate but I know this is the best way for us to learn. We also played with kids. They're super fun. We didn't have much to play with but we were creative and figured out how to get them smiling. On our walk back home, a group of boys (ages 5-10?) Walked us about halfway. They were fun to run around with during the long walk. I'll be sure to go back lots more. It's fun to walk around and hear kids yell "Wazungu Wazungu!" ("White people").

Yesterday we went to our first African church. It's a pentecostal church that one of our cooks pastors. It was fun and we were able to sing for them, along with introducing ourselves. The service was two hours long. Afterwards we were outside with some very shy kids. They were a tough crowd to play with! Some of the boys decided to chase some. They made a girl cry. Way to go. Giving white people a good stigma! At least the parents were laughing! They also gave us all bottles of pop which was very sweet.

Once a week we've been having story time with Bwana. We go up to the Knapp's and sing and then hear Dr. A tell some of his life stories. They are so awesome to hear!  What an amazing testimony his life is!

I have been having a blast getting to spend lots of time with the Knapp children, Indigo and Ezra. Such a joy! Indie isn't talking but she's starting to get my name. She's 14 months and has finally started walking on her own!

I think that's all I have for now. Wednesday we leave for Ruaha National Park so hopsfully I'll have lots of stories then! Love and miss you all!

Bethany