In a bizzare contrast I am sitting here in a power cut, so no fan or music from the neighbouring houses, and only a wind up torch to stop myself from knocking myself out in the bathroom. Yet , by the wonders of modern technology, I can still connect to the world through the web on my laptop via its extra long-life battery. So no excuses not to work then! Fortunately the power cuts don't seem to last too long (unless this hotel has some uber generator that I haven't noticed yet) so I don't have to adapt my usual life patterns too much from normal. Yet.
And then there was light.
So it's been a few weeks since I left now so I just wanted to give a shout out to everyone who has been in touch since I have been away - by email, phone or the book of face. I have really appreciated the messages whilst trying to adapt to a new job and life. I apologise if I haven't managed to reply to you all individually. Do keep in touch with the life updates, news and goss. Specifically:
- What was all that news about John whatsisname leaving strictly? And has someone won it yet?
- Has the economic turn down actually stopped being headline news yet? I'm quite glad to have got a break from the constant scare mongering, about which we can do nothing. But I spose I should keep up todate.
- Has anyone saved Woolworths?
- Has Tottenham managed to keep up the magic tricks under Harry (Potter) Redknap?
- And what films am I going to miss on the box over Christmas?
I think that might be the most important stuff to be updated on, please.
Let me take this opportunity to wish David and Simone a very happy anniversary - many congratulations!
Right, it's way past my bed time for Tanzania time (GMT-3 hrs, -another 2 hours social time difference), so I'll leave you in peace for now.
Missing the family and chums, so lots of love to you,
Suze
X
Friday, 28 November 2008
Saturday, 22 November 2008
A few photos from Mtwara
Some snaps to show you Mtwara, and a rather unflattering one to prove I am there (I'm just off the plane from Dar in this picture, which I would like to think explains why I am looking rough.)
These photos are taken at southern cross hotel, my home for about month.
Monday, 10 November 2008
I'm here and it hasn't quite sunk in yet...
Mambo!
Contrary to what our swahili teacher taught people rarely use 'jambo' here in Mtwara. More common is 'habari za...' (How is your news on... e.g. work/the morning/the family/since I las saw you - I can't say all these, yet!). However if you want to be really cool you say "Mambo!" And in response "poa!". Wicked.
So, it's taken a while for me to get a reasonble internet connection, and enough time to use it - and even now I am using the Save the Children's internet connection on a quiet evening, but my connection is coming. Apparently. Pole pole (slowly)
So hi from Mtwara to friends and family! I'm doing OK - that is until my line manager come Swahili translator leaves in 10 days and then my confidence will probably go and join the hermit crabs! I can see a major culture shock coming whenever the time comes that I have to do something for myself. But fortunately that hasn't been yet. I have Stella, who works at the partnering institute of the London School here in Mtwara, who seems to be my first contact for ANYTHING - poor Stellla...
For those of you asked what the heck i am going to be doing here in rural Tanzania - I can now tell you. I am co-ordinating a study which is going to have a community based intervention and a facility improvement strategy. Our study involves developing the interventions through facility and community consultation, AND evaluating their effect on health behaviours of mothers, quality of care in facilities and neonatal survival. So the main new bit for me is actually being involved in developing the interventions. So there you go.
Right, time for me to wrap up. I'll do the promo for holidays in the region once I have been out and tried a few things. In the mean time, lots of love to the family, esp Mark. And I hope to hear from folks soon.
Suze
X
Contrary to what our swahili teacher taught people rarely use 'jambo' here in Mtwara. More common is 'habari za...' (How is your news on... e.g. work/the morning/the family/since I las saw you - I can't say all these, yet!). However if you want to be really cool you say "Mambo!" And in response "poa!". Wicked.
So, it's taken a while for me to get a reasonble internet connection, and enough time to use it - and even now I am using the Save the Children's internet connection on a quiet evening, but my connection is coming. Apparently. Pole pole (slowly)
So hi from Mtwara to friends and family! I'm doing OK - that is until my line manager come Swahili translator leaves in 10 days and then my confidence will probably go and join the hermit crabs! I can see a major culture shock coming whenever the time comes that I have to do something for myself. But fortunately that hasn't been yet. I have Stella, who works at the partnering institute of the London School here in Mtwara, who seems to be my first contact for ANYTHING - poor Stellla...
For those of you asked what the heck i am going to be doing here in rural Tanzania - I can now tell you. I am co-ordinating a study which is going to have a community based intervention and a facility improvement strategy. Our study involves developing the interventions through facility and community consultation, AND evaluating their effect on health behaviours of mothers, quality of care in facilities and neonatal survival. So the main new bit for me is actually being involved in developing the interventions. So there you go.
Right, time for me to wrap up. I'll do the promo for holidays in the region once I have been out and tried a few things. In the mean time, lots of love to the family, esp Mark. And I hope to hear from folks soon.
Suze
X
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