Week 5-6

As with all things in travel, there are ups and downs.  We have celebrated many of them, and these series of events, friends visits, and times have been no different. Even as we thought that Julia and Charles had just arrived, so they left. Time it seems, is determined to trick you.  At night, when you cannot sleep, it is interminable, during the day it flies. And thus it goes.

John Julia (Lawi's sculpture "Rasta") Trish

We had three new visitors, though they were not new to Tanzania or Moshi.  These three delightful visitors arrived with the goal of revitalizing the OB/GYN collaboration.  The commitment, energy and delight they showed with KCMC and the surrounding area gives us not only hope but belief that our project will be diversified, and renewed faith that there is dedication to a mission to improve care for all people in the area and that Duke feels this need.  Of course, it is important to point out that KCMC's OB/GYN department is filled with talented people whom we feel great loyalty towards, and for them to be able to exchange their perspectives with our teams, and ours with theirs only enhances the possibilities for improved health all the way around.

Lisa John & Peyton

And, these three folks, Peyton, John and Lisa were terrific.  Even if they are UVA fans, it was ok. A-5 is open to them for ever!  Great to have a set of new friends.

Kilimanjaro has been somewhat quiet lately.  Not much coming out, but when it does.  Wow! You just want to keep looking.  At times, I find that I really need a piece of inspiration.  I miss my Appalachian mountains and the view from our cabin.  So when things seem  impossible--somehow the mountain knows and there might just be these views from Barabara moja in the am and the pm.

The downside can be around the corner and I was hit completely unexpectedly by some toxin from the Nairobi fly.  Somewhere I must have gotten in on my finger (I blame pinching the basil back) but come out it did!  And by Saturday night I had a burning rash that continued until Friday when it started drying up.  Horrifyingly, this pic was taken on Thursday evening 5 sleepless nights into this toxin.  (look it up!) I didn't recognize what it was early enough so when I started to put Colgate toothpaste on it I only burned.  Again thanks to Peyton and Lisa I had some cool antibiotic cream to put on which didn't fix it, but made it more bearable...except at night. Our great Fellow, Dorothy, said that the Nairobi fly had worked out the perfect revenge.  Kill it with your hand or finger and it will get your back in an incredibly horrible way.  It doesn't kill you but you wish you were dead.  Fortunately most Nairobi fly burns aren't as bad as this one.  I had had two before and though one was on my eye in 2007 and one in later 2007, none like this one. And again it is time limited.!

after 5 days of Nairobi Fly toxin (don't think you can see these creatures....they get you later)

In the midst of this we hosted (did not cook or set but only opened the house) for a fabulous hash set by some new "KIWI" friends, Jan and Bob and the hash set by Elizabeth.  Just living here and having someone wander around all the nooks and crannies of our Moshi/Kibosho area reminds me of the beauty and wonder of the whole place.  Top of it all are the fabulous children and families who simply aren't afraid to bring their children to this terrific loving environment.

Marco and his Tigger

hash group

Matt the "he-man?"

One of my featured children is Nikoli.  Nikoli comes from strong stock!  Not only is his mother a Baltimorian, and determined, a great horsewoman and tennis "pro" (Terrie) but her father and his parents are pretty much Tanzanians who have live and work and work through very difficult times and continue to keep at it.  We have loved our relationship with Greg, Terrie and Nikoli, and consider Nikoli as close to a "god-child" as there could be.  Now, I have to say that Nikoli is in the continuous movement group.  When he was younger and I was in charge of his walking at hashes, he would complain to me that he had to stop, we had to take shortcuts, or that he just couldn't continue.  Now, however, he is in front of the pack-and CRAZY! running.  Here he is at ISM during their sports day.  Before and after his own races, he was running up the sidelines, in the middle out side, even while the other competitors were resting waiting for their races.  (He had intense competition and still placed 3rd in his age.!)

Nikoli in "rest" position

But, as always, safari's await you.  And, if you are coming to enjoy, and do just a little, Serengeti is only a few hours away.  Thanks Methley for escorting our friends.

Julia and Charles Lion in Serengeti