Success!

(this is the house where we are staying-the school is across from it-the white winding staircase leads up to the guest apartment)

(this is a view of the road in front of where we are staying-a dala dala is on the road picking up some people)

So....they have been trying to get the internet over to the computer lab for quite awhile now and today they finally got it working! It's a very great moment because this will enable an internet cafe here at the school and bring in some finances. It is also a big step for those wishing to learn more about the internet and computers. It really does open many doors for many people. A very good day!

Today Ryan and I went for a walk with one of the children, Jonathan. We walked down the paved street from the school and in behind the school on some dirt streets, more like paths. There are a few stores around that sell various items. The first one we went to was behind the school on the path and they sold candy and had some sitting in plastic jars in a window covered in bars and he stood behind it. There was a stand of some fruit to the side. It didn't seem to be a store you go in, but you tell him what you want and he gets it. I think he also lives there.

The second store we went to was along the paved road. Ryan bought a bottle of coke. There is a way to buy bottles of pop here. You can go and buy the pop, but you don't get to keep the bottle unless you bring one to return. They keep them. If you don't have one, you can pay more to keep the bottle (by more I mean $1 instead of 50 cents). I found that interesting. Jonathan bought a fruit like a mango but a bit smaller for 5 cents. What a deal!

It really is a very different culture here. I think everyone should visit Africa. Given, I've only been to Tanzania and I have no idea what the rest of Africa is like, but this island everyone should visit. I don't think it is ever completely quiet here. Yesterday evening I made the mistake of drinking a coke and was up until almost midnight. While I was laying there in our mosquito net covered bed, hoping I woke up without any new bites, I heard all sorts of sounds. Birds, cars, trucks, people yelling, cows, horns honking....there isn't that silent night like you hear in Canada.

Looking out the window now here is what I see: lots and lots of palm trees and other kinds of bushes and trees, dirt paths winding through them, a small garden of some sort of food, lots of children playing, cars and trucks carrying way too much stuff or people speeding down the left side of the road, lots of garbage, clothes and other items all over the place, a cow or two, chickens, half-built buildings, crows and the beginnings of a sunset. I also just saw a plane coming in for a landing. We are about 5mins from the airport. When the big planes come in it's almost deafening. Puts the train that goes by our house to shame with it's noise.

Well, it's almost time for dinner and in about 30mins the sun will be down. They say almost every day of the year the sun goes down and comes up at the same time-around 6:30. There have been a couple decently hot days, but I'm told this is only the beginning of the heat here and that they are entering their hotter season.

We are hoping to be able to update everyday for the next few days before we leave for Kenya here now that we have the internet in our apartment.

Bye for now.