another way.

i’ve been in tanzania for a week now. far away from germany, far away from corona. or so it seems. 

sure, coming to africa to volunteer was meant to be a vacation with a purpose, but what feels most relaxing is not the new continent, country, people or food; it’s not having to deal with the craziness that surrounds the virus in the western world.

life has to go on in tanzania, because life in tanzania doesn’t happen at home behind closed doors, life’s in the streets. it’s together, not apart. it’s loud, not quiet. it’s messy, not orderly. it’s fun if allow yourself to become part of it.

at the airport and in western supermarkets they actually make you sanitize your hands and take your temperature before you’re allowed to go further. masks need to (sometimes) be worn in doctors’ offices and some stores. they sell them in the streets and occasionally you see a person in the streets wearing one, but nothing like in germany. in some ways i feel safer, i’m not scared of contracting the virus at all. even though i ride in overcrowded dala dalas every day and get close to kids and adults.

besides the work that desperately needs to be done at twiga, last weekend i got to see a very beautiful side of the country! we drove about to hours fro arusha towards mt. kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in africa. together with some maasai locals we hiked to probably the most impressive waterfall i have seen yet. surrounded by lush green, tropical vegetation, water comes crashing down with considerable energy. even if you don’t get in the water, you get soaked.

i never thought tanzania would be this green! it’s also not super warm right now, tanzania winter they call it. today it rained a lot which is pretty uncommon for this time of the year. 

we also participated in a coffee ceremony, roasting coffee beans over the fire. tasted so good!

so all is well. despite the african wasp-sting on my elbow which forced me to go see the doctor today to get some hydrocortisone shots, the most painful shot i’ve ever gotten. 

life is good, the vegan food is awesome and the other volunteers are super nice.