Our week since Pat and Quail left seems quiet. But, as it turns out, was quite busy. We celebrated the arrival of Catherine our Duke faculty (and Chrissy's friend) who is an Emergency Room researcher and most interesting. We looked forward to Valentine's Day, and to a hash at our friend's Kirsten and Erling in a most beautiful part of the greater Moshi area. It was also one of my Dadas' birthday and the Dadas went to Mkulima for dinner to celebrate. Yum Yum. And then too...Jonathan got his first pair of big boy shoes and they squeak. He loves them because of that. Squeak Squeak!! Every where. They make him want to walk.
The birthday girl Eunice is on the right with Lydia and the Mkulima chef on the left. Beautiful.
My girlfriends. Who says that you cannot find a circle of close friends no matter where you go.!
Delicious Mkulima Food.
Jonathan's first walk in his new squeaky shoes.
Daddy Pauli watches his boy take off in his new shoes. Of course, the first things he goes for are the electric sockets. Why is that? When he speaks his first clear word, I believe it will be "Acha" a word with no clear translation except "Off!"
Thank goodness we started early for our trip to town, because our sweet Zantel guys took one look at our old car and pointed to the rear tire...ooops going flat. We headed (on Saturday mind you) to one of our gas station guys and he carefully took the wheel off, got a bucket of water, filled up the tire and carefully put water all around. Lo and behold, there were two punctures on the one tire.
We were trying to stand in that little bit of shade you can see, and our fundi (fix it man) went dashing to the side of the service station and came back with the two chairs. I called them luxury chairs. John and I marveled at the experience. Yes, we had many things to get done, but where on earth could you drive in, have a man with air tube in his hand, help us out, get us chairs and proceed to fix the puncture. In truth, not one person would probably fix our tires in US because they are at the end of a long and fruitful life. But here it is everyday. And, these fix it guys are PROUD of their work. They carefully checked every other tire to make sure that they were all ok.
So 25 minutes later, we were all set to go. $7.00 poorer, and a shake of the hand from the two of us to this nice man and on back to town.
I had been waiting a long time to take this picture of John with Aleem. He is one of our first downtown friends in Moshi. He has gotten us through many scrapes and always always greets us with smiles. Aleem owns one of the small groceries in Moshi and tries to cater to expats as well as Tanzanians. He tried to get anything that you want, and usually manages to. He knows everyone...and thank heavens he likes us because we surely do like him. He always says to me....where is my "finger" daughter. Chrissy slammed her finger in the car door just before Thanksgiving several years ago right at Aleems and he rushed her in to the butcher in the back, Sadkiki who wrapped it in ice.
And for me-- from Aleem, "How is my darling today!" and "I love you because I can see that you keep John happy!"--- then he will say.... "Oh but I love you, too because you are always happy." He is pretty right when I am in Moshi!
Then we had a fantastic hash hared by Marco (not the one talking) at the home of Erling & Kirsten (Erling on the right) people we have known and loved for some time...Joris is explaining what the hash house harriers are and what the rules or non-rules are.
I walked with Marieke and 5 of her six children. She is a fabulous neurologist from Holland, and one of the most fun and kind people I know. Her children are adorable. I decided not to run this one because every view is special and I ran in the morning to make the excuse. So much fun.
This steep gorge on the left is 40 meters deep. Our run right along the edge was spectacular and a bit scary, but not too bad since it is so dry.
This shot gives you an ever better view of the gorge. Too bad you cannot see the Weru Weru river running just at the bottom. But it is spectacular.
And then at the end, adorable Vicky and her little friend, with brand new dresses, hats and bags just made today! How cute can that be. Vicky is Marieke and Marco (the hare)'s youngest. I call them the Von Trapp Family and call Marco, "The Colonel". I love them.!
But it is, after all, Valentine's day and, here is the 35 cent card that John gave me. The best cards in the world are from Tanzania. They fit right in for my love of hyperbole. And, this one is about the best that I can see.
Happy Valentine's day to my family and friends. And, "On On".
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