While in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the other studet, Paul and I are staying at the Passionist Father's house.  It's a compound with one side consisting of a building similar to a small hotel and the other side which has two little houses. Paul and are are ...

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One of the questions that I was asked most often at home was, "What will you be doing in Africa?" Well, here's the answer.  Most of my work will be a variety of activities contributing to a larger goal. While here, the other student, Paul and I will be assisting two ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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As darkness has fallen, and I write by candlelight, I am left to ponder many things after yet another day with no electricity. Today has been one of those days in Afrika that reinforces the idea that many Canadians take much for granted. One simply cannot come to Afrika and ...

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I’ve gone 5 days without showering, I think I have finally passed the “adjustment” phase in my culture shock experience. It’s like a right of passage- the more local I become the more I feel comfortable working in Gulu, Uganda. Access to water in northern Uganda is an experience in itself. ...

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[gallery] My trip to Zanzibar proved to be some of the best days I have experienced in Tanzania. The first day here I participated in a local spice tour. Zanzibar is well known for the spices grown on this island, and I was able to see, taste, touch and smell many ...

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