February 7

I just had an amazing day! went to a traditional Iragw tribe home and learned their culture, danced, sang with the little kids, and then had an amazing cheeseburger at this awesome restaurant. went to the market which was suuuuper ridiculous! bought some really cool fabrics, went back to the restaurant for drinks and was taught dance moves by Festo... my most favorite tanzanian ever... it was pretty awesome.
The market was kinda overwhelming though, it was just this huge fair almost, where people had all their stuff laid out on tarps on the ground everywhere, everything from used shoes and clothes, fabrics, and hats to produce and livestock. We're totally a huge target here. Everyone just flocks to us and tries to get us to buy things. I had someone following me for at least 5 minutes trying to get me to buy his necklaces and statues. I did get some really sweet fabric though.
They really like Barack Obama like crazy here! and they try to sell us so many things with his face on it. bags, bracelets, tapestries... it's pretty funny.
Dance class from Festo was also pretty awesome. i wish you could meet him, i try to spend as much time as possible around him cuz he has a really dry sense of humor, and he's very subtle so if you actually try and listen to what he's saying it's absolutely hilarious. He told me today he that he has to listen to the news everyday because he has to hear if his president is going to kill him...so it is important to listen to the news EVERYday. haha and I know that sounds awful but he says it with such a straight serious face and then he just smiles and starts laughing, so it's hilarious. Sooo many Festo one liners, and videos of all the things we've been doing.
today was especially fun. I really like hanging out with Sarah and Erika the SAM and intern. we seem to witness the best festo moments. Yuda, my swahili teacher is also REALLY funny. he got down on the dance floor for us today also. he translates for us and laughs at our ridiculousness.
We had pizza tonight. sooooo good! not really like pizza at all, but still really good. for RAP (Reflection, Announcement, Presentation) Betsy(the other Betsy!... but she's really Elizabeth so she's totally a poser) had us split up into groups and write songs to the jingle of an existing well known song, about things we have encountered here in tanzania. liiiike, not having enough forks for our meals, and ppl having to eat spaghetti with spooons, or the acacia thorns that are everywhere and not so nice to run into, or people at the market trying to shove items on us at the last second, or Yuda's laugh and swahili class...stuff like that. It's pretty awesome cuz each day someone new has to lead RAP and we do all these crazy activities like different group games, or dance lessons, which was the other night and was pretty stellar. swing and salsaaaa.
ok time for reading and bed. cultural experience tomorrow with the Maasai! then i have to write a report about it. Good Night...or Good Afternoon.
Love, bets