On the road again....

We are into our fifth day of traveling and very ready for some kind of routine. This variety of schedules everyday is what breeds our nervousness and anxiety. So much is changing so quickly that we are struggling to find something solid to hold onto. Nights are long, days a bit easier. Our souls are exhausted, please send us peace and energy.

While we were in London, we ventured outside the airport and took the underground to Hyde Park, London's central park. With our carry-ons in tow, we forged to the park and ate lunch from a vendor and enjoyed an hour or so at a steel orchestra festival. Fabulous music, all steeldrums with amazing shows. We both agreed that we could explore Londona bit more sometime, although we'll have to save up before we do: two rail tickets and lunch cost $50!

We met up with the rest of our group in London and flew to Dar. We are enjoying our fellow teachers very much, a variety of personalities!

Upon arrival in Dar, we bypassed immigration and customs without a glitch and were met by Janerose, a volunteer of VST (Village Schools Tanzania), and our host these last few days. Loading buses, we drove to our guest house, similar to a hostel, in Dar for the afternoon and evening. Spent most of the day eating and then sleeping. Monday morning, we loaded a tour bus for a 7 hour driveto Mafinga. Our seven hour drive took 13 hours, and included a broken bus axle-which was somehow repaired by a wrench and a chain... Our butts are tired of being in the seated position, that is for sure!

The bus ride was a cultural experience, many different people getting on and off the bus at various stops. While were at a stop, although no one got off the bus, venders with all varieties of products and food items, came up to the bus windows carrying boxes of goods. Passengers simply carried out their exchanges through the bus windows. We had only american dollars, and were hesitant to purchase any items anyway. While we both were sleeping, some of the other teachers saw giraffes and an elephant as we drove through the game reserve. Sleep took priority over wildlife I guess...

We settled into another guest house, the Flamingo guest house, in Mafinga last night. We both were struggling greatly last night, resulting in very little sleep and many tears. Please send extra prayers and angels, as tonight will be the first night we will be staying with separate host families, and the nights already seem much longer here.

After we complete this email, we are to go on a quick scavenger hunt at the Market here in Mafinga before we get on another, much smaller, bus for the two hour drive to the school in Madisi to begin our two-week training.

We miss everyone very much, but are trying to find comfort in knowing that you are with us in spirit.

With much love,
Ian and Amy