My title is a quote from my mama, another one that holds true for almost everything, but mainly celebrations and dala dala rides! Just today I ended up having to stand, completely squished between 6 others standing along with the lucky 18 that got "seats." Since I couldn't see anything out the windows I completely missed my stop (usually the conductors call out stops... but he didn't call mine!), so when I finally told him "Susha Quarters" he looked at me funny and that's when I realized I had some walking to do! Luckily for me, it wasn't dark yet and there was a beautiful view of Mt. Meru as I wandered home.
The days are just flying by and Njiro is starting to feel more and more like home! Aside from occasionally not having power and every once in a while no water (land lord issues), everything is good! I went with Jim out to a Maasai farm where they were trying out conservation agriculture techniques along with a planting method in bags. It was nice taking a break from being in the city and spending a day where the only thing to hear is tall grass and corn stalks brushing up against each other in the wind.
To gain a better understanding of the milling process here, I took another field trip, aka a 45 minute walk behind our house, to find some local mills in a nearby village. We were trying to get a good grasp on how long maize is soaked before being processed through the machines and if it made a great difference if the kernels are dry or not when they enter.
For now with GCS and Twende, I've been gathering information on all of their products and projects, planning out what tests I can run, and have started writing a grant with Jim for his animal powered battery charger project.
The days are just flying by and Njiro is starting to feel more and more like home! Aside from occasionally not having power and every once in a while no water (land lord issues), everything is good! I went with Jim out to a Maasai farm where they were trying out conservation agriculture techniques along with a planting method in bags. It was nice taking a break from being in the city and spending a day where the only thing to hear is tall grass and corn stalks brushing up against each other in the wind.
To gain a better understanding of the milling process here, I took another field trip, aka a 45 minute walk behind our house, to find some local mills in a nearby village. We were trying to get a good grasp on how long maize is soaked before being processed through the machines and if it made a great difference if the kernels are dry or not when they enter.
For now with GCS and Twende, I've been gathering information on all of their products and projects, planning out what tests I can run, and have started writing a grant with Jim for his animal powered battery charger project.
Boy, did I plan this summer right... I am not only here with organizations that have amazing initiatives, but what really tops it off is the food I'm going to be cooking these next few weeks. Matoke was one of the first dishes I've learned so far and it included all of those vegetables in the first picture below - how can that not be good! I am loving the idea of spending so much time with my Tanzanian mama and Farida while cooking up some of the most delicious food I've ever had. It is going to be so excited making this cookbook and then sharing it with everyone back home. Finally, the secret will be revealed as to what you can eat here. I have already come to the conclusion that no matter the cost, I must make real, fresh juice for myself when get back to school. Avocado, orange, passion juice is something I can't wait to have until next time I return here (which who knows when that will be!)
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