"If you can't climb it, drink it." (Kilimanjaro Beer Motto)

*I wrote this entry earlier this week but never found time to post it. I will post another entry later today or tomorrow. Happy 4th of July!

Now mid-way through my fourth week in Tanzania, it is funny to look back on the past month and see how quickly it’s gone by. I can’t believe I have only three weeks left with CCS and a little over five weeks left here. The thought of American cuisine, television, and an actual mattress are indeed appealing, but I will have finally settled into this life when it will be time to leave it all.

On Sunday morning we arranged a coffee hike with Oscar, a charismatic guide around our age and full of knowledge about his country. Most CCS volunteers opt to take this day trip, not only because the price is unbelievable (only $25 for the day, including a box lunch) but also for the experience itself. I must admit we all struggled to wake up after a night at the Glacier, a local bar that was featuring a popular reggae band called the Warriors from the East. One would think that our 11PM curfew would deter wild nights, but with beer bottles one and half times as big for half the standard U.S. price, we were all feeling pretty good. Exhausted and probably a little dehydrated, the hour long van ride in a “pimped out” dala dala (complete with a sound system, interior black lighting, and magazine photos of hip-hop stars like Jay-Z pinned to the interior) along a very bumpy, muddy road did not help. To make matters worse, a steady rain the night before made part of the road impassable, which meant an extra hour of hiking.

Once we got started, however, the fun began. The dirt here is reddish in color and clay-like, so the mud that covered our shoes acted like a suction. It was an exhausting, up-hill trek for a good two hours but the scenery was amazing. We stopped periodically for water and the breaks in the dense banana trees that lined the roads revealed valleys lined with farmers’ huts. It was beautiful. One particular part of the path we took was very steep, and distracted by my friends wipeouts, I managed to take the worst fall. I slipped and face planted, saved from a muddy face by the brim of my hat. Of course the boys at the top of the hill caught the whole fall on video, just the moment I want to re-live! We finally arrived at Oscar’s family home, a few modest huts surrounded by tall banana trees who’s large leaves protected the coffee beans that grew below them. Oscar showed us the entire process of coffee production, which was far more elaborate than I ever imagined. It was fun to take part in each step and more impressively, I drank my first cup of coffee EVER! It smelled and tasted better than any cup back home and I even enjoyed it!

The sun came out after lunch and thankfully began to dry up some of the mud, making the rest of the day less slippery. We trekked for another hour to the most amazing waterfall I have ever seen. I may have said that a few weeks ago on my first waterfall trip, but this waterfall made the first look like a creek rapid. It was breathtaking. I have never been one that has been too attentive to landscape, but I have found so many times here I cant take my eyes off the sights before me. We took a different trail back to the main road, and luckily the heat of the sun allowed our van to make it up the hill, shortening the trip back.

Monday marked the two week countdown to our big TAFCOM fundraiser. Most of the work is done but there are many last-minute things to get done to make the event a success. We distributed the flyers and invitations, hanging the signs in restaurants, internet cafes, and shops most frequented by mzungus (since most people who will attend our other volunteers). We have met many large groups who have assured us they would attend, so we hope to have well over 100 guests. We had to postpone home visits because Nie has not been feeling well, but we hope to reschedule later this week to check in on our clients. On Wednesday we went into Pasua to “tour” the one-room tailor shop that TAFCOM supports. We met several of the young girls who are currently in their final months of an extensive two year training program. Catherine, the volunteer teacher at the Children’s Center, was a familiar face and as always, we were welcomed with smiling faces. It was odd to see that the self-powered sewing machines used here are used as decorative antiques back home, and the entire process seems far more complex than the simplified electric sewing machines back home. We were all measured and left fabric to have dresses made, and of course my length measurements generated a good laugh from the ladies. Even here I can’t escape the jokes about my height!

After four weeks of asking my wish to play soccer was granted. We arranged a visit at the Amani Center for Street Children, a huge orphanage and school only a short walk away from our homebase. The center opened only a few years ago but its beginnings were much like TAFCOM today. Through hard work and generous donations, they eventually were able to build and support this incredible property. The building itself is enormous but none of us expected what was hidden from the road. Behind the center is a child’s paradise, complete with a basketball court, soccer field, playground, and toys of all sorts. A lot of the orphans were out for the day, but the soccer coach organized a 7v7 match. The kids were all between the ages of 9 and 15, but they were quite talented. Despite their bare feet, they ended up beating us with the help of their coach. It was a blast! The kids, most of whom were boys rescued off the streets after being abandoned by their parents, were awesome. I had a soft spot though for one girl named Elly who was the only female who played soccer at the center. She was 16 and spoke almost perfect English, and she loved to see another girl out there playing soccer on their field. I hope to get back there a few more afternoons before leaving here, but I’ll admit the hour-long match left me pretty sore.

The rest of this week will be devoted to putting final touches on projects for the fundraiser. Five of my friends here leave on Saturday, so we are planning a night out on Friday. Since the 11PM curfew limits our fun, we are probably going to sign out for the night and get hotel rooms in Moshi. I hope to write again later this week, but if not, enjoy a hotdog for me on the 4th of July.