Letters From Tanzania

Last Updated: 28 July 2001


4 November 1998: Greetings From Tanzania (#1)
A general introduction to my early life here, the weather, health, and a discussion of some of the aspects of my Pre-Service Training as it relates to some of the goals and approaches of Peace Corps.

15 November 1998: More News From Tanzania (#2)
A short exposition about my placement site and living arrangements.

8 December 1998: Sweet Home Monduli (#3)
Another short one, about swearing-in in Dar Es Salaam and returning to Monduli.

18 December 1998: Beginning to Blend In (#4)
After some hilarious mistranslations of Blender Directions, I comment on the bombing of Iraq, my host-family brother's church confirmation, and the reliability of the power and phone systems.

9 January 1999: Bytes and Bites from Tanzania (#5)
A description of some exhausting computer repair I did for another volunteer, and an exhaustive review of common Tanzanian foods and beverages and their inseparability from the mainstream culture.

6 February 1999: "I Go... Eating Beans... Now." (#6)
An overview of the Tanzanian educational system, including some political and cultural issues which affect it.

28 March 1999: They Run and Hide Their Heads (#7)
After getting most of my first term under my belt, I vent some of my frustrations. I also discuss the terrible drought, and having had my bag stolen.

29 April 1999: Under African Skies (#8)
About having Malaria, but mostly about the Girls' Education Conference organized by my fellow PCVs and I, and the general state of gender equity and women's advancement here in Tanzania.

3 June 1999: Mark, My Words (#9)
Details about the end of my first term, and about a few of the important people in my life, including my new roomate, Mark.

11 August 1999: "What I Did On my Summer Vacation..." (#10)
Graduation at Moringe Sokoine, business and pleasure at In-Service Training, and a whiz-bang American Independence Day Party at my place.

11 October 1999: Highlands Crimes and My Demeanors (#11)
About the experience of armed robbery in Iringa, and the resulting inner conflicts about my safety here. Also about the arrival of the new training class and the time I spent with them, including a safari to the Ngorongoro Crater

26 November 1999: Y2K Do I Even Bother? (#12)
My plans for the upcoming school break and a discussion of Peace Corps Tanzania's Y2K readiness.

6 January 2000: La Isla Bonita (#13)
My escapades on "winter" vacation, including Swearing-In of the new volunteers, a trip to Tanga and Pemba, and my Christmas and New Year's activities.

24 March 2000: The French Connection (#14a)
24 March 2000: I Fell Into a Burnin' Ring of Fire... (#14b)
24 March 2000: Incompetence: Your Key to Sustainability (#14c)
A message from my sister on the occasion of her visit here; an account of an accident that put me in a Tanzanian hospital for a week; and a write-up of an International Women's Day pep rally I organized for my school.

24 May 2000: Three Down, One to Go! (#15)
A description of the Girls' English Club I started at my school, and my reasons for being involved in Girls' Education. Also, my thoughts on my next career move within Peace Corps, my school's performance on the national exams, and saying goodbye to my Form 6 students who I taught for a year and a half.

29 July 2000: Christmas in July (#16)
My involvement with further training of the first-year volunteers, some vacation excursions, commentary on this year's drought, American Independence revisited, and a description of the events and thoughts that led me to extend my service here in Monduli for a third year.

26 September 2000: A Tale Of Two Presidents (#17)
The circumstances behind meeting both the President of Tanzania and the President of the United States at separate events, theorizing on sustainable development, and the story of a fantastic wedding between one of my Peace Corps friends and his Tanzanian fiancée.

22 November 2000: Southern Belles (#18)
The story of my whirlwind tour of Tanzania's deep South, including the cashew harvest, a Peace Corps Health conference, and an excursion among the ancient ruins of the Swahili Coast.

6 December 2000: Home for the Holly Daze (#19)
My 'Close' of Service conference, details of the Tanzanian election, and other various new issues.

5 February 2001: There and Back Again (#20)
The story of my winter trip through Europe and the USA, thoughts upon the death of a fellow volunteer, and my continued brushes with Tanzanian crime.

14 April 2001: A Different Perspective (#21)
The thoughts and observations of Amanda Rhoads, who came to visit me in February.

11 May 2001: April Rains and Other Blossoms (#22)
The story of my winter trip through Europe and the USA, thoughts upon the death of a fellow volunteer, and my continued brushes with Tanzanian crime.

23 July 2001: May Junebugs July Away (#23a)
23 July 2001: What To Do When It Doesn't Compute (#23b)
23 July 2001: Life and Death in Maasailand (#23c)
A tale of my activities since April; a description of the work I've been doing to get my school computerized; and an examination of the attitudes towards death in Tanzania, including my particiaption in a Maasai ceremony.


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