Candlelight nights
10/8/09

Life in Arusha isn’t all that different from home. There are many luxuries that I’ve lived without for many years-tv, dishwasher, clothes dryer (that was to save $), power. But when its not a choice, I suddenly desire those things-at the very least a washing machine! This week I attempted to wash my clothes by hand. It was a miserable attempt. I’m not sure what the technique is, but I definitely have soap still in my clothes. Maybe next time I’ll ask Mama Vivian to show me the right way.

The food has been great. While I try to cook at home as much as possible, it gets boring sometimes and I must venture out! I’ve had a lot of kuku (chicken), chips (fries), and ndizi (banana). I had really good Indian food, pizza, and my all time favorite-the Healthy drink. There is a really nice little lodge/trinket shop/ restaurant/coffee shop named the Blue Heron-it is most definitely a Muzungu hang out. But they offer free wifi with any food or drink purchase. So sometimes I mosey on over for a Healthy drink and an email. The Healthy drink is amazing if not only for its flavor for its amazing color- what could taste better than bright fuchsia liquid. I’m pretty sure there is beet juice in it that gives it that awesome pink color. But the other ingredients are a mystery!

Another favorite dish is Chipsi Mye (pronounced my eye), or a french fry omelet. Oh the British, what a great influence they were. (a little language tip-if you don’t know the Swahili word, just try adding a ‘y’ sound to the end of the English word and chances are you’ve got it-chips=chipsi!) Chips Mye is also a great after bar food. There is a little street vendor that is open only at midnight and later for those bar go-ers who need a midnight snack. Sorry Uptown Diner, you’ve got nothing on the Chips Mye guys!

While I try to save money and take it easy on the week nights, it can be quite boring when night after night; the lights go out at 7pm, and you’re stuck in the house with only candles and a book. If it’s a planned outage-couldn’t they at least wait until 10pm. But 7pm your house becomes a prison. Its not very safe to walk at night; partly because its so pitch black at night you really do risk hurting yourself, and partly because you can be a walking target for mugging. Last night was a night home in the dark. While a dinner table lit with candles sounds very romantic, eating banana bread with your roommate Bridget Jones-style isn’t so romantic after all.

In other news, Kanye West was in town last week after climbing Kilimanjaro and Madonna is here now. My theory is that Kanye is laying low after making an idiot out of himself at the music awards show. Unfortunately he did not grace us with an impromptu performance at Masaai Camp Saturday night. Our stalking abilities are failing us once again as we can’t seem to find out what hotel Madonna is staying at now.

Hopefully this weekend will prove to be eventful and blog worthy.