karibu ni Tanzania!

Tanzania has been nothing but welcoming since we set foot on her beautiful soil.

I am busy with remembering names, time and money conversions, how to say good morning, and the way to walk between work and home. Below is the clock tower that has become one of our landmarks on the walk. The flat screen t.v.'s show "Tanzania National Park" video footage.

We found out last night, while chatting with the owner of our guest house Mama Lydia, that our rooms are not intended for long stays. In fact, 3 weeks is the longest someone has stayed in them. This explains why we have no drawers and only 5 hangers. Mama Lydia explained to us that she was actually expecting us to use this as a transitional place until we could find somewhere to make a home. In the meantime, we bought a few large wicker baskets to put our clothes in. We are hoping to find a place in the next few weeks, before Mama Lydia's daughter has her wedding at the guest house. We are invited to the wedding (yay!) but will have to move to a hostel so Mama Lydia can accomodate her family. Below is a picture of me trying to stay warm in the room Selina and I share.

Our UN internship started yesterday! We were briefed on our task to help prepare for the impending closure of the tribunal. I could not be more pleased with the description! We were given our UN security badges, and a binder full of readings to catch us up on the tribunal and our assignment. We were told to destroy it at the end of our time with the UN. Tomorrow we will have our offices AND a letter of acceptance to the internship. hmm. interstingly enough, the two men who would be capable of supervising our task have both resigned in the last month. The one who briefed us yesterday leaves in two weeks, but has agreed to supervise us remotely despite his resignation, from the US of all places. We are quite impressed with his comittment to us as interns.

My fingers are sufficiently frozen so here I will end. Still trying to figure out the computer situation.. so I appreciate your patience with updates. We have access to internet via the dial up computers at our school. (see below) It might be easier for us to update on weekends from a wireless cafe.