Adventure of a Lifetime

So Today i woke up with an ache in my heart. My Kaka (brother) gave me the sweetest hug before went to school. Mama Ericki cooked the usual breakfast and cleaned the front and back yard. The little kids around the village came and visit us and we gave them the news that we were living... I managed to say give me a hug and a kiss in Swahili...

I looked around while i was brushing my teeth outside and people waved at me and said "Habari" ( how r u). The days in the village were amazing! even though i showered everyday with pond water (boiled of course), with toilets on the floor, sharing a banana with 3 people, Ugali, dirty feet 98% of the time, no electricity, and being without my fam and my love in america...

Yesterday, we had a family dinner and the main spot at village, Baba Julys threw us a party. I received the greatest gifts from the most genuine people that i will never forget!

I cried a river when i sad goodbye...

Geez i have so much to say, but as usual i'm running out of time :/ CAMEL group prepare for my presentation hahaha!! miss u all!!!

Madre querida pronto regreso... familia gracias por todo su apoyo

Amor mio we will be together soon to start our new adventure! Te amo

Now Arusha, soon Nairobi with Thoma's parents, then home!!!!!!!!!

Hello Family and Friends,

It seems like it has been so long that i have been able to write. As you all know i fell ill with Malaria and it was a hell of a week, until now still recuperating. I lost 8 lbs in 5 days :/ but hey it came at the right time when i have to wear a bikini in Zanzibar lol!!! (on the positive side i also don't have sickle cell anemia)

It is very sad that i missed about a week of work. Thanks for all your prayers and the great support i received from the other side of the world. It was very encouraging to know that many people were so worried for me but at the same time knew how much i wanted to be here in Africa. Specially the love of my life, David. He called me every day and has always showed me what true love is. Also, David has showed me what is like to have somebody in spirit when you are miles and miles away from each other. My David as I always say, you are a blessing in my life and God could have not given me a better man. Thanks so much!!!

Madre querida se que estuviste muy preocupada y se me hiso muy dificil contactarte y decirte que estaba enferma. Lo siento por la preocupacion que ti. Pero gracias a Dios todo esta mucho mejor y me pude levantar.

So now we have to look at the bright side!! I'm still here alive and so ready to pick up on my work again. Fortunately, I have a week off which i'm enjoying to the fullest!!!

The last two days I spend on Safari in Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara!! I thought i was over 3rd world countries after being so sick, but guess what?!? I fell in love with Africa again!!! The most amazing scenery in front of my eyes. This place is majestic and the beauty is undescribeable! I saw many animals on their natural habitat. A cheetah hunting for his pray, lions resting after their meal, a black Rhino!! (there are only 27 left of these), many elephants, zebras, giraffes, etc. All of these animals right next to my car!!! Had an amazing picnic in front of a lake watching hippos sing!!! What could i say, So blessed to have witness this beauty.

Today, I arrived in Zanzibar!!! wooohooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! still not sure where to start but OMG the beach is gorgeous!!! Crystal blue waters :D ... could have not come in a better time!!!

I will telling you more stories later!!!

Well Gotta go!! until next time!!! Miss u all!!

Briana

Hello Dear Fam and Friends,

there is so much to say in so little time, and the internet here totally sucks ... so i have about ten min..

Mwada village is small and dusty. We walk for hours and hours everyday. I'm 10 shades darker and i think i'm losing weight hahah

We are currently teaching a primary and secondary school. Some of the classes have about 100 students! it is very sad that in the primary schools they make the kids do manual labor. Poor children have to fetch water and pick cotton on the fields, and on top of that they beat them with sticks. Unfortunately, we have to suck it up and don't say anything. Is a little frustrating seeing this and not being able to do anything.

Anyways, are teachings are great and the response that we are getting from the people is amazing! Although sometimes people look at us like zoo animals lol. It feels great when people/kids remember my name and they call me by name while walking thru the village.

The food is okay :/ ... people that know me, absolutely know that i'm so picky with food. I'm really suffering I dont like banana stew!!! and we have to eat this every other day !!

Besides the food, there was another unfortunate event that happen a couple of days ago. A 13 year-old boy fell off a tree and passed away . We attended the funeral and it was very interesting to see a African funeral.

My homestay is awesome and my Mama is so pretty and nice to us. She is super clean and she is the diva of Mwada

My time is running out and i have to go. But i just want to say i'm okay. See you in a couple of weeks. Love u all and miss u tons. Please check some of my pics on facebook. Also SIC will soon put a blog up for our families. Marty and Camel ask David later about it!

p.s. i'm officially engaged with my prince!!! :D

hello Family and Friends,

Another day here in Babati waiting for the tailor to give me my skirts and dress (can't wait to rock them) .

Things have been great here. I'm learning so much about the culture and the language. Sometimes I have to tell my self that this is not a dream. The nights here are beautiful the sky is covered with tons of stars. My eyes can't capture the beauty of Africa!! I so love it here!!!

The people are very nice as well even though people stare at me every where i go. Some women bring their children for me to touch them lol. For some reason they like to see the kids cry when they get scared of foreign people hahah. I just tickle their babies when they bring them close to me.

It is really cute when kids remember my name and they call me hispania girl. I absolutely insisted not to be called mzungu (white person). Now the funny thing is that they call me "Desperado", the Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek movie hahaha...

I also been noticing very cool things here. First, the water does flush counter clockwise here!!!! :D (Marty i'll take a pic for you). Also, I feel like friendship is very valued here. Men hold hands!! old men who are friends hols hands. It actually looks really cute!

Well my dear friends I'm not sure when will I'll be able to get internet access. We move into the villages in two days and probably i'll be able to come to the city every other week!

I really hope you are enjoying my blogs. Is a lil hard to remember everything I do here hhaha so when i get to a computer I kinda blank out of stories to tell.

I love you all very much and please feel free to call me or txt me. Texts are cheap!! My number is +255 768 219 456 ... text me!! and remember I'm 10 hours ahead after 1pm i'm dead asleep!!!

till next time!!! :D

Briana

Hello Friends and Fam,

Today I came back to the market to get my skirts tailored and I'm hoping I will find and good/safe place to have lunch today. My good friend Joram has been my company for the day and he helped me bargain the price for my skirts and dress. I'm paying 13000 shilingi (which is about $13 doll) for 4 skirts, a dress and 2 cangas :D ... My friend did a great job and I just smiled and gave her a hug lol.

TOday I been thinking of small memorable things i want to remember and I only came up with funny ones lol. Since I got here I been accidently hiting people hahaha. During our breaks from class we play frisbee and I probably have hit people 4 times with it! haha Including a poor african girl which I hit straight on the face :/ . I also poke this baby on the face with my nail, a stepped on this poor kid's toe with my big boot, and hit one of the volunteers with a dildo LOL hahahha (we do condom demostrations) I swear I hit her with the dildo by accident...

Changing the subject. I love walking through the market and buying cheap things hahaha... using the internet for an hour is about a dollar :D...

The weird thing is that people stare at me sometimes without blinking hahaha

On Thursday we will be heading to the villages, I get so excited just to thinking about it!!! I know things will get a lil harder with the water, electricity and the food :/ .. I'm so sick of rice and beans!!! Geez and is so hard to eat Ugali. Here I only eat for nutrition purposes ... I would die for a pizza or a mexican hotdog!

Well I hope I can come back soon to continue updating my blog. I miss my people tonsssss! :D

Later!

Briana