After discovering that most of the original coordinates taken in the mapping project I am involved with were incorrect, I quickly made arrangements to go into the field for three days and obtain accurate readings. To be completely fair, the poor GPS readings were probably no fault of the research ...

Category: On location, Tanzania, Uncategorized Add Comment »

I am learning that it is “easy to be Green” in Tanzania. With EarthDay coming up (April 21), many of the posts and sites I visit are beginning to “talk the talk” – Save Water, Food Security, Reduce Electricity “Live Simply, so that Others may simply Live” are just some ...

Category: On location, Tanzania, Uncategorized Add Comment »

I am writing this entry, trying not to drip sweat onto the page… According to my thermometer, it is 31⁰C in the shade! The weather here has been extremely warm the last three days, with high humidity levels. The electricity is off once again – for the second day in a ...

Category: On location, Tanzania, Uncategorized Add Comment »

One aspect of life worth mentioning here is the way you dress. How you dress is incredibly important here. Clothing may take up a large part of the average African's budget (I learned this from a book I'm reading right now called Into Africa). ...

Category: On location, Tanzania, Uncategorized 1 Comment »

I had an interesting day today. This morning, I had a Swahili lesson, which proved to be a lot of fun. First, I had to translate the Tanzanian National Anthem – which is a beautiful piece. Mungu ibariki, Afrika, Wabariki viongozi, Afrika. Hekima, umoja na amani, Hizi ngao zetu. Ibariki! Afrika Ibariki! Afrika Tubariki! Watoto was Afrika Mungu ...

Category: On location, Tanzania, Uncategorized Add Comment »

I am a storyteller. As such, language has always fascinated me. The rhythms of speech cascade up and down the scales, creating harmonies which are beautiful to listen to. Many times, it is not what is said, but how it is said… and even what is not said which becomes ...

Category: On location, Tanzania, Uncategorized Add Comment »

It is almost impossible to talk about East Africa without giving some mention to the Wamaasai. The first thing many people seem to think of when one mentions Tanzania or Kenya is an image of the Maasai warrior standing in the Serengeti Plains; herds of cattle moving before them. Perceptions ...

Category: On location, Tanzania, Uncategorized Add Comment »

It was a long bus ride from Arusha to Nairobi, Kenya. The first (and scariest) transition was at the border. Our shuttle bus pulled in at the border, and we all piled out to go through the Tanzanian customs office. Passports checked, fingerprints taken – and we filed on out ...

Category: On location, Tanzania, Uncategorized Add Comment »

The past few days and been a flurry of activity. This trip has been primarily planned due to the expiry of our visas on February 28, 2012. We obtained a three month visa in Ottawa while attending a CIDA cultural awareness training in November. Unfortunately, the Visas were dated for ...

Category: On location, Tanzania, Uncategorized Add Comment »

Hello, The people at CHD are very friendly and let me contribute in various different projects and meetings.  They encourage me to participate in all different aspects of their organization, and not just the ones that were part of my learning plan when I arrived.  It is nice to get to ...

Category: Kenya, On location Add Comment »