Bagamoyo

The workshop is going well for the participants. It's almost entirely in Swahili, so I spend most of my time working on the manual and learning how to use the open source publishing software I downloaded. Also, I eat. We're fed four times a day by the hotel and then afterwards, everyone wants to go into town for dinner. Last night, Rama took Edson and myself out to dinner at a local restaurant. They totally had a whole skinned goat hanging from the ceiling next to the guy with whom we placed our orders. I don't think I've ever seen a whole animal skinned like that in real life before. It was kind of cool. Afterwards, I tried to explain the US food and safety system to Edson and we both had a good laugh.

We chose the kuku choma and grilled bananas, because the goat was too expensive. The chicken was as tough as I remember it and the grilled bananas are totally growing on me. I think we'll have to try it when I get back. Buy some green bananas and stick them on a grill. Trust me: it's awesome with vinegar and salt. (On a side note: 'kuku' means chicken and kaka means 'brother.' I've had this terrible fear that I'll address someone with "Habari gani, kuku?" So far it hasn't happened. I hope I haven't jinxed myself by telling you my secret. On another note: dada means 'sister' and 'baba' means father. Dilip, an intern from India, addressed an elderly gentleman with "Shikamoo, dada." I'm sad I wasn't there to see the man's expression...)

One of the Tanzanian interns bought me a bracelet today as a goodbye present. It made me feel bummed out, since it's now a visual reminder that I'm leaving soon. I have to keep from crying!