Habari za mchana! I wanted to take a quick minute to write that everything is going much better today! The class was much better today. The teacher was there the whole time to provide the discipline so we could teach and they would listen. It was much less chaotic than yesterday. Although, when I would ask the teacher what we should do, he kept explaining that we were the experts, and it was our time. He calls me "teacher" constantly. I think its hysterical, little does he know I have NO experience teaching or even being around children. It's funny how they assume we have a better way of doing something or more expertise just because of where we come from.
After class, the teacher and his wife invited us into their home. They had prepared a large lunch for us, and it was steaming hot, which meant we could eat it. It was delicious- pork with fried green peppers, sliced potatos, and ugali with a spicy salsa sauce. After we ate, Mr. Massawe (the teacher) walked us through the village, and I saw it much differently today. The people were nice, and the scenery was beautiful. It is not a tourist area, so it is a completely authentic view of another way of life. It was incredible, and I tried my best to soak it all in. Thanks Mom and Bob, I am appreciating this experience so much.
So, today I am filled with joy again. I was looking at Mt. Kilimanjaro in the van this morning, and thinking, "Maybe I should stay an extra week to climb it. I think I want to go up there." I get adventurous when I'm in a good mood, I guess. Anyway, a van just took everyone else to town, but I wanted to stay home and do some yoga. I have been very active, lots of walking and chasing children, and my legs are so sore! My back has been feeling fine, except that in the mornings, the hour ride on the van hurts. The roads are not paved, and they are not even close to flat. Some of them are so bad, we drive through the brush on the "sidewalk" to avoid them. It is constant bouncing around, so it bothers my back a bit. Other than that, no complaints!
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We are glad that things are looking up again! It appears that some things are universal no matter where we are- one bad day, one good day. We are hoping for more good days for you and can't find the words to express how proud of you we are. Love, Mom & Bob
ReplyDeleteDitto to what your mom said.
ReplyDeleteYour blogs get me through my days at work - very inspiring :) Never thought I'd be sitting here reading about Lauren Dale frolicking through villages in Africa, but I guess nothing surprises me anymore! haha can't wait to see pictures - love you!
ReplyDelete<3 Rita
Whew.......After reading bamboozled I had one foot on the plane.
ReplyDeleteGlad things are better for you today...
If you decide to do the mountain give me call.
Love you much
Aunt Jackie
Sounds like the adventure of a lifetime. Thanks so much for the posts,and keeping us up to date. You have an exceptional way of writting. Be careful, and stay well.
ReplyDeleteLove, Uncle John, Aunt Martha
So interesting!!!! It sounds like an amazing time! Cant wait to hear more :)
ReplyDelete- Laryssa
Hi Lauren,
ReplyDeleteThank you for staying touch with all of us. Your blogs have me laughing out-loud and your thoughtful observations are quite moving. I hope that the upcoming days are good. Pretty neat that you saw President Obama sworn in while in Africa... You will never forget it. Keep the blogs coming, we feel like we are taking the journey with you! Be well and stay safe.
Love,
Aunt Maurie
Lauren, you give a very detailed and vivid descripton of your experiences and feelings. We all agree you should consider writing as a profession.
ReplyDeleteHere is something you can do with the children. I got this from my education background and from music, which transends language.
It is called "echo clapping". You base it on 4 beats. You clap "loudly" or "hard" on beat 1. Then on beats 2,3 and 4 you beat softly. You clap the pattern a few times, then have the children echo back what you clapped. You can clap in "rounds" where you have the first two rounds clap in the pattern I just said. Then when they are on beat 2, have the second group of students start their 4 beats. Thus group one is now on beat 2 (a soft clap) group 2 is on their first beat - loud. And so on. Vary the patterns that you clap.You will be able to communicate without words this way and it will probably be something they have not done before.
You can even have a student come up and introduce a pattern of his/her own for the rest of the class. Hope it helps. :) Love, Aunt Jen
Thinking of you teaching these children puts a smile on my face. I can just imagine your reactions to being left alone with all those wild kids. priceless. nothing that a powernap can't fix =)
ReplyDeletemiss you
Lauren <3