A Bagamoyo Retreat

My housemate, Naomi, and I decided we needed a break from Dar. So last weekend we drove up to Bagamoyo. Bagamoyo is a sleepy town about an hour drive from the north side of Dar where we live. It's a nice drive through several villages - no traffic; fruit and vegetable dukas (stalls) along the side of the road; and, since we've recently had rain, the grass and trees are beautiful and green!

We went to Travellers Lodge for lunch and then found a shady spot under a coconut palm to read and relax. Such a nice afternoon!

a local fisherman cleaning his catch on the beach

Tanzania children playing in the Indian Ocean

:)

Max

Meet Max.

Max is our class tortoise.

His full name is Max Alex Poko.

Don't ask me why.

A few months ago, he wondered into the yard of another teacher and managed to avoid being eaten by two dogs...so we decided he's probably sturdy enough for 23 6-year olds!

Around the middle of December he managed to escape/was released from his outside box. We just figured he'd had enough. We looked for him for about a week and even prayed he'd be safe.

Then last week a secondary student came by in the middle of the day with Max! The students were thrilled! He'd somehow managed to cross a small ditch and wonder over to the secondary block without being eaten by crows, snakes, or mongooses. (Thought: Do mongooses eat turtles? And yes, it's mongooses not mongeese. I looked it up.)

Right now he's making laps around the classroom. (I let him wander at night.) He's been around at least 10 times and just keeps going. I was wondering if he only went clockwise but he just turned around and is going counter clockwise. His favorite place is under the book bin at the back of the room.

Don't worry, we let him outside as much as possible! During every break we have 'Turtle Time' and students keep an eye on him...he tends to wonder off...

:)

Stuff!!

Thank you KLM! My bags arrived with little hassle early Sunday morning. I got a text at 1:30 after the flight came in.

They've had quite a trip! They followed me to London then returned to Amsterdam, separately, then were supposed to go back to London before coming to Dar via Kenya but I think they actually just went from Amsterdam down here to Dar.

Oh well! They're here!!

Which means... Pictures!

Samuel ...and his artwork

Showing God loving us from the overflow of His love in relationship with Jesus

(deep stuff for Grade 1 but they get it!)

Dhashrrad

Allison

:)

Baggage, baggage wherefore art thou baggage?

Hopefully you're on your way!

My bags did not make my connection with me from Amsterdam to London. :( KML was very helpful and are sending them my way...at least that's the plan.

Please pray that they get here!! My two little lost duffel bags stuffed with good things from America!

:)

Things you just can't get in Dar

or "Selections from my American shopping list"

jolly ranchers (x2) for small groups

chocolate chips

new clothes and shoes! (not secondhand!)

SD card

sauce packets

American candy (at the request of my students!)

construction paper

brown duct tape (so many colors!)

Action Packer (thank you , Target!)

treasure box toys from Oriental Trading Co.

bug spray (with DEET, please)

:)

Pictures coming!

as soon as I get back to Tanzania

...because I bought a memory card for my camera (misplaced the other one!)

:)