Adventure: heading home to USA

So after almost three years we head back to the USA.  So many goodbye parties and hugs. I mean really hard to say see you later to so many great new friends from all over the world.  Felt like leaving AK all over again.  I cried on the drive down our dirt road to the main road.  Yes-  all you African women I cried.  But then Birch started to cry and I had to act all mom again.

So ended the trip with last weekend in Maji Moto-  still no one eaten by crocodiles!!  After about 10 trips there I would say there are no crocs in this place.  Our tests in USA show no bilharzia also!!!

Birch sooooooooo sad about leaving Scrathy!  But she will be with twin sis dog Fara and the girls. 

Goodbye to Sam and Julius.

Amsterdam airport.  NO MCDONALDS!!!!! go kids.  We had little Dutch pancakes with powdered sugar.  Dutch friends??? you know. And still 10 days in no Mc D in our systems. 

In Tulsa to see my parents and sis’s family.  Space and air museum.  Aquarium.  Funky Pilates.  Putt Putt ( Cole called small golf) . Uncle Jason a good teacher- really a patient teacher even in 107 heat at 7 at night !!!!!Cool giant pool.  So much  stuff….everywhere.

Cole pretending and alien is getting him.

( Jeri in a suit)  Cole played with camera so everything blue for a while.

Max, Noah, Birch. Cole

Now we are in Maine with family and cousins.  Cole paddle boarding.  Birch missing Africa a lot.  Lots of ocean time.

 

Thoughts about reentry.

I Facebook a lot more here- internet speeds great- I mean great- I mean wow.

I can see why it is easy to be Obese in USA.  Every fricken corner has fast food or Starbucks or grocery store or get-in –go..  No one walks because all too street like.  Europe has it right and we messed up somewhere.

Easy to use too much water when you just see it come out of faucet- longer showers- running water for dishes.  My brain and body seize up with the waste, but It just is there.  No one is thinking about the tank on top of their house or that power might run out.

Family is fun.

We are ok without non stop TV.  I thought the kids would be junkies but they aren’t.  Everyone should hide their TV so it is just not there.  But when TV is on I could be a food network junkie.

I miss Lisa’s yoga  a lot…. So do my hips and abs.

Mosquitos suck even if they do not give you malaria.

Our stool tests are negative for worms and giardia!!! And I went and had a doc appointment for myself and it was great- I mean great to talk to someone about my health.  Thanks Cindy.

So more to come from Maine……

Miss everyone in Arusha.

Lesson: International schools are just a great experience!!

Last day of school celebration.  Cole gets his green belt Tai Kwon Do certificate.  The Kids that are leaving this year get kudos. 


The teachers end with three dances and schools out rock songs!!!

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!!