Vipepeo and Bacon Hot Dogs

I was called back into town this week to participate I a focus group for the environment program review. They review the program every 5 years and this was it. It was interesting talking with the facilitator (from Madagascar!) an there were only a couple times during the session where the other volunteers and I were openly hostile toward each other. Really glad that got that on camera. They were all from the group that arrived last year and I guess we've had very different experiences. Also, I never have anyone to talk to, so putting me in a room and asking me to talk, and better yet, say what I think about PC/TZ's programming is sort of a recipe for disaster. (Actually, talking to a stranger and knowing it was being recorded I think made me surprisingly diplomatic in my comments.)

Counterparts came too and I found out that mine was angling for a replacement volunteer for when I leave, despite the fact that we had agreed that there is no one to work with a new volunteer (thats why I haven't really been working much) and there are no other potential PCV sites in the area. I don't know what he is thinking and I'm glad my APCD has the sense not to go through with it unless those change. I really do want the best for my village, but I wouldn't wish my difficulties getting people to work with and isolation on anyone else.

Then I went to Morogoro to see Dave at the education training. I haven't seen him since I graduated. I was sitting under a tree waiting for language classes to end, and he walked by and did the best double-take you've ever seen. This was funnier since I was wearing a headscarf and earrings like I wouldn't have been caught dead in in college. Maybe it was hard to tell it was me. :) It was nice to see someone from my former life! I hung out with the other trainees and answered a lot of questions about what non-eduction volunteers actually do, what I'll do when I get home, what it feels like getting ready to COS.

Then I went to Singida to visit my friend Cessie for 4th of July. We went to her village and made grilled hot dogs with sautéed onions and bacon bits and veggies and chips with 2 kinds of dip. Happy Independence Day indeed! The next day was bacon hot dogs part2, just as good as part 1! She showed me around her site. It's hot and dry like mine but they don't like to use Swahili much. We stayed up watching movies on her computer and snacking, finding new ways to eat hot dogs. She was glad I'm good with animals; her dog is sweet, but annoying and insisted on sleeping with us, waking me at 7 am with licks on the face. The second day was christened "kipepeo day" due to the insane number of butterflies fluttering about in search of water. We took a hike to a garden that we were told was not far (a lie) and took a few pictures and made veggie wraps. :)

I know this may be shocking, but PC/TZ has messed up yet again. Remember my Close of Service on August 5th? I heard from Cess that other volunteers were finding their dates incorrect or changed, so I called to verify. I was told that I was not on the calendar at all, and there were no spots open for the 5th. They gave me the 4th, but I'm still mad that they've managed to be incompetent to the very end and I'll be stuck in Dar an extra day waiting for the train. The timing for the 5th was so perfect, and now its gone. I have to reschedule me ex-pat homestay and med appointments. Thanks for being consistent, PC/TZ!!