Travel: Camping with the Hadzabe and the Petersons

Who are the Hadzabe? 

http://www.dorobofund.org/    the Petersons and company working with Hadza

http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/africa/davids_dispatches/powwow-in-the-yaeda-valley.xml  David’s post about Hadzabe at TNC

http://itouchmap.com/?c=tz&UF=-2574762&UN=11187070&DG=VAL  map of yaeda valley

 

cool rock views from all over…

thorns and pricklies were our nemesis- along with tiny little sweat bees

hunting honey and roots with the hadzabe.   lots of strong women!!!!!

Arrow making!!

The Petersons and all of us enjoying the sunset. 

Looking on as my little one climbs an entirely too high baobab tree!!  Big one made it to but without photos.

Our TZ family all together in one shot. 

Adventure: More of the last two weeks in Arusha

Birch in Shakespeare play as kings attendant.  No speaking role but the only primary student who got to be in the play. 

Cole at share day- never nervous up on stage!

End of year concert.  Each playing in group.

How we got 50 kids at our goodbye party to let the parents drink in peace….
Bad photo but you get the idea.  Thank heavens we had power that night!

Adventure: Last month in Arusha….

Superb surprise party for Doctor Joey with all my expat friends/patients.  I know everyone’s deepest medical secrets.   It really is like being a small town doc where you know everyone you take care of.  Worms, pregnancies, family planning, diarrhea, diarrhea, boils boils boils……. 

Trip to Lake Natron. I was a piss ant about the road and the drive. Float tires, bumps, heat…. ughhh I get so car sick and anxious. But we made it there and back!! Thanks to support of friends who put up with my crazy. Great lake again. Boys have grown up so much in the last year of so. So great to have Jo from AK in town. Waterfall really fun.

 

 

Giant goodbye party at our house- David’s Margaritas draw the crowds in and then get them drunk.  Chili works well for a party this big. 

 

recital pics to come soon!!!!  Twinkle Twinkle and flute soloist!!

Lesson: Go to the triathlon even if it is raining because it is fun!

Boys got number 1 and 2 in the first ever Arusha print triathlon.  Cole was the youngest competitor.  10 laps in the very cold pool. Followed by 4 bike laps and 1 running lap.

 

The Banks family had transition slow downs.  Shoes and socks with wet feet never a good mix for kids.  Here is Cole in the changing area. Check out Birch in the back ( red shirt) getting on the bike.  Yes I forced helmets!!!

Birch quick to finish bike and start his run!!!

 

 

Birch finishes.  All Cole’s age group finishes.  Most of the next group finishes.  Where is Cole?  Hyennas around-so David sets off in reverse to find Cole.  There he is finally -  I mean like an hour later….His bike is too small for him so he was a little slow and all the big kids and even teenagers are passing him.  But, good on Cole.  He finishes without frustration and then starts the run.  He runs the whole way- no stopping with a big smile the whole way!!!! The whole crowd cheering since everyone a little worried. 

 

Victory sodas!!! Birch Cole Magnus and Lucas

Now David’s turn.  A bit longer of a sprint. 

David passes Matt in swimming only to be overtaken by Matt in the bike and run.  Overall David 5th.  Matt 1st.

 

Thanks to everyone who coordinated the event. 

Lesson: Recitals for the first time!!

The kids performed in Arusha last night for their first recital ever.  Cole played Twinkle Theme and Birch played Fireflies.  They both did great.  Thanks to their Umoja teachers Daniella and Alison.

http://www.umoja-arts.com/index.html

Thanks also to their friends who sat through lots of twinkle twinkle in order to watch Birch and Cole.  (esp  Lucas)

Lesson: Iron on Transfers

I had 4 very precious iron on transfers.  I was gong to make the best shirts ever for our friends we will be leaving soon.  Great pics and great words-  but damn the words are backwards so I had to cut them off.  Of course they forgot to tell me to print in mirror image.....and I am just to silly to realize that on my own.  Maybe next time....

This digital collage generated with Smilebox