WE WENT SHOPPING!!

Today is Wednesday and it has been a wonderful day.  In fact, this has been a busy and fun week so far.  We have been busy in the office which makes me feel useful .  We have gotten lots of things done and of course now as the time grows near to leave, we have to make sure we "wrap" things up.  It seems unfair that now that I FINALLY know what I am doing most of the time, I should be leaving.  Pole sana (that means "so sorry" in Swahili). 

John and Addy Mhekwa

Some pots and pans and Mzungu tootsies

You have read about our friend John and his wife Addy who were recently married.  Several of us who know John went together to buy a wedding present for him.  I was going to bring something from home but then it is hard to know if it is something that they can use here or not.   It is hard to know what they might need and what they already have.  Don't want to bring something all the way here and have it not be appropriate.  

 So after much deliberation, I decided to bring the money and buy something when I got here and had a chance to visit with Addy and see what she might like.  Also things are inexpensive here.  I told John that I had brought money to buy them a present and would like to go with them to pick something out.  They were so pleased at the thoughtfulness and were excited to think of what they might get.  It took them three different consultations to finally decide.  They went from something that they might dream of getting to something that they really needed and would have fun spending the money on.  

So, today was shopping day.  John and Addy had gone to the market and looked for things for their house and kitchen and made a list with prices to make sure that they would not overspend the money that we have brought.  You can see from the pictures that we had fun looking at all the possibilities from silverware to thermo cooking containers that everyone uses to prepare food for the day.  Addy bought mugs that had roses on them and said "Love" in red script.  She got plastic plates and cups for everyday because she already has better "china".  They got a colorful woven mat for the floor in their living room. 

No wasted space in this duka!

They bought serving spoons and trays and cooking pots. It was such fun to see all the things that we were able to get for them.  It was like a bridal shower in one stop!  When we were done, the man at the duka packed everything in a huge box, tied it and lifted to his shoulders and carried it for several blocks to where our car was parked.  What service!  As a professional shopper, I was in heaven!  To be able to see all the useful things they had selected and know that they would use them warmed my heart.  I know my friends who helped contribute will be thrilled as well!  If you are reading this, you know who you are!

  John and Addy came to our apartment after shopping for dinner.  We had a lovely time.  I made beef stew and it turned out great. 

The only thing I made that was not such a hit with Addy was jello.  She watched it jiggle and couldn't quite bring herself to try it.  John ate it and even liked it but could not coax Addy into eating it.  No jello in Tanzania.  I had brought it from home.  

 After dinner we spent time looking through a large coffee table book about Minnesota, talking about our seasons and snow and what people like to do.  Such a terrific evening.  Such good friends.  

Final Acounting!

Springtime in Africa

Jacarnda

Yes, I am still here.  I haven't been motivated to add anything to the stories Ken has shared with you.  However, I now have been inspired!  It is Springtime in Africa.   

The Jacaranda Purple Haze across Iringa.  See the grain elevators

.

As you know, it is the opposite season here in Tanzania than in Minnesota.  While we were anxiously awaiting the warmth of June, July and August, the Tanzanians were digging out what outerwear they possess and layering  it to keep them from the bitter cold!  Ha, I say.  They don't know what cold is!  But I know that it is relative.  I did find the nights cool and the wind biting in July and August.  

 However, in the last few weeks I have had to put away my heavier pajamas in favor of something cooler. I dug out what few  (three , in fact) short sleeve tops I brought with me to wear on the days that we are out walking to the market.  The sun is coming up in a higher spot in the window and in the morning hits Ken in the face instead of me. It is lighter longer in the evening.  

I can leave my vests and jackets home during the day and some evenings.  It feels just like Spring at home.  Things are greening (still almost no rain) and the flowering trees and shrubs are in their glory. 

Jacaranda flutes

Speaking of flowering, Ken and I took a drive on Sunday afternoon around the city of Iringa to look at the jacaranda trees that have come into bloom.  It is such a beautiful sight.  This is the third time I have been to Tanzania at this time of the year and it is really lovely.  These trees line the main road running through town and it feels like a tunnel of lavender.  When you look down on the city from some of the higher vistas, it is like a purple haze.  We took many pictures.  

 We also took pictures of shrubs and plantings around some of the homes near us.   There are hibiscus shrubs with their showy flowers in the medians of the road.  There are poinsettia trees in many of the landscaped yards.  Color is everywhere.  

Bougain-something

The bougainvillea which we buy as small hanging plants are huge shrubs here covered with gorgeous flowers of every shade you can imagine, sometimes all on the same bush. We even noticed a tall tree up the street where the bougainvillea vines had climbed up to the crown of the tree and the whole top of the tree was covered in flowers.

It is a hard for me to imagine what the transition from this time of year here to the end of the summer at home will be like.  One of my friends emailed that Fall is definitely in the air.  

 

Bougainvillea and more

  And I was just excited to feel the warmth coming.  Hmmm...may take some getting used to.  But Fall has always been my favorite time of year.  I love back to school, Homecoming and football games.  I love to watch the leaves turn and to be part of a climate where we can fully experience all seasons.  Save some of that magic for me!! We will be home soon.

Around the neighborhood

John and Addy Mhekwa and Ihemi

Early in the week we went to John and Addy Mhekwas’ for lunch.  There we had the full spread of course, minus ugali, although we gave them a hard time about it, being fully prepared to enjoy.

Addy and John Mhekwa

Ugali is made from maize flour.  The flour is then put into water and stirred.  And stirred.  And stirred.  Eventually it stiffens to the consistency of dense mashed potatoes.  I don’t think they add any kind of spices to it.  Even Scandinavians would add some salt.  When served, a scoop is placed on the plate, then a more demure portion is balled up in the hand and a firm thumb print placed in its center to provide a reservoir for the good stuff, juices from what ever has juices.  You simply scoop it up with this receptacle.  Our niece Katie Degner and the group here last year Sandy Thibault, Lori Johnson, and Kevin Johnson) learned to make it from a pro, our house keeper Mariam.  We all benefited from the fruits of their labor – and had seconds (like Lutefisk at Christmas time as kids).

So we did not have ugali at John and Addy’s.  We did have potato chips (think French fries), pasta (spaghetti), beans, samosas, chapatis, avocadoes, bananas, sweet ginger tea, Stoney Tangawizi soda.  Everything was great.  It does remind me of being at Grampa and Grandma Warolin’s for a holiday.  If you don’t take seconds, it means you didn’t like it.  If you do take seconds it means there wasn’t enough for thirds. 

Later, when we were stuffed and Birdie refused another soda, even Tangawizi, her favorite, our Tanzanian hosts were taken aback if not insulted.  I had to explain how she loves Tangawizi and to refuse meant only that she was really full!  I don’t know if that helped or not.  I hope so!  Of course, I did try to make up for her inadvertent indiscretion.

The next part of the outing was a trip to Ihemi.  By the way, a lot of the towns start with the letter “I.”  Ihemi, Ilula, Iogoro, Ifunda, Idunda, Idete, Itungi, Idegenda, Itonya, Ihimbo.  You get the idea.  It reminds me of the song, “I’ve been Everywhere” (Hank Snow, Johnny Cash, Neal and Leandra).

Ihemi Lutheran Junior Seminary so far....

Ihemi is about 40 KM (24 miles) from Iringa (another “I” name).  John has been assigned to work there to oversee and get the Ihemi Junior Seminary built.  I may as well express my opinion here.  I am not sure if it is reward or punishment.  Birdie’s more neutral position is that he was available.  He does have a mentor in Andeck Ngogo, from Image School.

We heard of the school at the Iringa Task Force a couple years ago.  We were just this side of flabbergasted.  We already have several diocese schools (8 or 9) to support with scholarships.  The rumor was that Bishop Mdegella had wanted this school and was supporting it.  The school was supposed to open in 2011.  There is little more than four walls for four rooms so far and no support from the Diocese except perhaps for some “Rah, rah!”

But this is how it goes in Tanzania.  They have the patience of Job and the faith of Moses that it will come to fruition in God’s time.  Of course, for an American that’s eons.

Well, that is enough negative.  The people of Ihemi are a warm and friendly folk, like all the other Tanzanians we have met.  They are sincere and supportive.  There is a house that Addy and John will rent, I would say four times the size of where they live now.  Addy, Birdie and I played with the kids who gathered around – well actually we had invaded their space.  Doesn’t mean they weren’t curious though.  It is possible the youngest had never seen real wazungu before.  As usual, there were taunts of “Wazungu, wazungu!”  We enjoyed the celebrity.

So we looked at the proposed campus and the four walls, looked at the proposed rental, had tea at District Pastor Chavalla’s house, smiled, listened, then drove home.  Support for the school will be solicited from the Ihemi District’s churches and their preaching points.  The work will be provided by sweat equity.

View from our table at Saivilla

The remainder of the week went by uneventfully.  This afternoon we took some photos “around the neighborhood.”  All of a sudden we have less than three weeks before we leave!  I have a couple projects to finish up, including at least on trip to Ilula, we have visitors coming this week and a volunteer to get settled.  It promises to be a full two weeks.  We started with a flourish and will end with one too!

Birdie, Kidege in Swahili

My lovely dinner partner smiling as she posts to FaceBook.  Yes, it says Birdie on her orange phone case, a gift from our daughter Carly in Birdie's favorite color.

Let's call this a hibiscus.

We treated ourselves to a nice dinner at Saivilla and its beautiful view.  We sat outside and had a nice sunset.  It was warm and comfortable!

Sunday at Kihesa

It is 8 AM in Iringa.  We are roused and getting going soon.  I am shaved and will head to the shower in a moment or two.  I only shave every other day or so.  I am rationing my razor blades now.  We will be leaving Iringa three weeks from tomorrow and I know that will go rapidly as we get a few more visitors in the next couple weeks.

I am listening to a few of my 25 most played songs on iTunes while I write.  I guess there is a reason they are my 25 most played!  It is a little artificial at this point.  I reset all number of plays for my whole library last week.  Intentionally. 

Kihesa

 

Today we will go to church at Kihesa – the 9:30 or 10:00 service.  Kihesa is the partner of St. Mark’s in North St. Paul.  The service is scheduled for 9:30, but usually starts at 10 or so.  We will stand outside in the sun and wait with the others waiting.  Then the choir will come out and sing.  Often there is an auction for eggs, some vegetables, rice or other produce.  People who cannot afford to give money still give something.  It is auctioned and the money goes into the collection.  There are often two offerings.  It is helpful for visitors (like us) to recognize that there will be two offerings.  Don’t want the embarrassment of not having offering to give the second time.  I assume the first one is the regular offering, but not knowing enough Swahili to tell is a limitation.  (Remember, I am fluent in English - Merikani Kingereza and Igpay Atinlay, so I can’t get my Lonely Planet Swahili Phrasebook out fast enough to help.  At least I know the difference between “Good morning” and “Go jump in the lake.”  Hmmm.  I think I will look that one up just in case someone says it to me.  Of course, currently I just smile and say “Asante sana” (thanks a heap) to everything.  Yesterday we walked the 400 steps or so to the Greek Club for lunch - big meal of the day, good too – and on the way home past a Pentacostal church having a week of Tent Meetings, we met two beautiful little kids walking toward us on the street, dressed to the nines (whatever that means, but this is about Birdie, so I can use a fashion term I do not understand).  Birdie was so excited to greet them she smiled and blurted, “Karibu” instead of Jambo, Mambo, Habari or even just the universally recognized greeting “Hi!”  Karibu means “You’re welcome.”  But hey, it was Swahili and not “Go jump in the lake.”

We try our best.  The Tanzanians truly do appreciate the effort.  So when I try to say something in Swahili at church, they laugh.  Which reminds me that I better think of some other Swahili phrase to say that they haven’t heard from me.  I just hope it isn’t “Go jump in the lake!”

We had planned to go to Kihesa already this year, but I got sick, so we skipped.  Today our friend, Rev. Lusungu Msigwa, the DIRA representative to Bega Kwa Bega is preaching.  There is a baptism today at second service. (Of course this is why we chose the late service, not because we can’t get out of bed at 5 AM to get to the first service by 6:30 AM.  If you get to church after that, you will sit in overflow seating outside.)  We like baptisms.  Msigwa was invited by the family to attend the baptism.  When the staff at Kihesa learned he would be there, why, a perfect opportunity to have him preach! 

Rev. Lusungu Msigwa

He couldn’t refuse and then show up at the service for the baptism!  And it turns out he is the child’s godfather.  So we will get to hear him preach.  He isn’t going to preach in English, so we will be assigned an interpreter who will sit between us, with both of us leaning in to understand as much as possible.  Swahili is generally easy to read if you know where you are in the worship book, but that is a trick.  The other trick is trying to speak very long words or hear sounds that don’t translate so well into English, our English, that is.

Yup.  That’s just how it was too.

As we drove to church, we took the back roads.  The roads around Foreston, Minnesota, where Grampa and Gramma Warolin lived, and Uncle Harold and Auntie Irene lived or in rural Andover where I grew up were bad, but NEVER this bad.  Imagine a washboard with our worst springtime potholes along with a few obstacles to maneuver around and you have a modest understanding of Iringa’s backroads.  Of course that’s in the dry season.  I suppose they got that way in the rainy season.  I cannot believe the sedans that pass us on these roads.  But then, I am the little old lady who only drives her 4x4 Gargantua to church on Sunday.  Don’t fall for that one if you are buying a used car in Iringa.  The tarmac roads are much better.  Yes, they have some potholes.  No, I have no idea why.  It isn’t from freezing and thawing anyway.  A bigger hazard is the many “sleeping policemen.”  These are full width bumps in the road.  There are a couple varieties.  One is the set of three or four that are each about a foot wide and four to six inches high.  If you take them too fast, they rattle your choppers!  Glad mine are well anchored in place.  The next is the 10-foot variety, ten feet wide and 6 – 8 inches high.  Too fast over one of these babies and everyone in the vehicle is launched into the air.  Or so I have heard - never happened to me!  (If you believe that, I have some land in Florida I would like to tell you about.)  The sleeping policemen are extremely effective in keeping the speed under control.  Of course, they don’t stop the passing, even when there is traffic coming!

Actually we were trying to avoid the awake policemen.  Insurance on Gargantua runs out on September 11.  The license ran out at the last week of August.  The new sticker has been paid for, the insurance renewed, but stickers not yet applied.  I can hear the Policeman saying in Swahili “We hear that one all the time.” 

So we took the back roads.  There were many people on their way to or from church.  I know how my folks felt when we were all dressed up.  I have old pix of me and my brother Mark wearing bow ties and sport jackets.  I know they loved it.  I am sure it was a sign of respect and well, affluence.  So we saw these little boys in their fancy suits on the way to church.  Same thing.  I loved it.  The girls are equally dressed up, of course. 

There is such a mix of buildings in the “’burbs” here.  Next to brick huts of the very poor are fenced and gated homes of obviously wealthier people.  Yet the average per capita income is $440 USD per year.  There is a huge disparity.  Perhaps in future visits I will get a better handle on understanding it.

The churches and pastors are always so gracious about greeting wazungu (white people) visiting their services.  Today it was the District Pastor Donald.  I have met him several times and he is always gracious.  We were delighted to meet Msigwa’s wife Gloria too. 

We had the best interpreter we have had to date: Pastor Israel.  He is a charmer.  He walks with a cane, his “third leg,” he says.  He describes himself as “retired, but not tired.”  He did such a marvelous job of telling us Msigwa’s message, nicely summarizing just right.  Msigwa is obviously talented as a preacher too.  No hellfire and brimstone that I could tell, but still a message full of value driven ideas. 

Birdie and Pastor Israel

There were four choirs.  The first was a multigenerational family.  (My mom would have been jealous – just what she has always wanted!)  The second was an acapella choir.  Great.  Next was a youth choir.  If they had been in front of the church, their choreography would have been much better appreciated!  Also terrific.  The fourth was the standard choir, I think.  They sang with the electronic keyboard.

Somewhere in between we were expected to introduce ourselves.  Pastor Israel got the congregation laughing.  Probably at our expense.  It wasn’t Igpay Atinlay, that’s for sure.  I have a couple stock things I say in memorized Swahili, like the tiny kids on the street coming home from school who say in near perfect English, “Goood aftuhnooon.”  I think I said something banal like, “How’d I do?”  He said, “Well, you tried.”

Oh, you might see the whole service on the ten o’clock news.  There was a photographer who got everything in video and stills.  He was ever-present and in-your-face.  I hope he edits the production down from 150 minutes.  Maybe 15 minutes including all the choirs and baptism plus Msigwa’s sermon.  He’s got enough material.

Auction

There are things we notice as familiar in the service, not including the photographer.  One of the liturgy tunes is “Faith of our Fathers.”  Occasionally we just sing the English words.  We can recognize the Lord’s Prayer and the Apostle’s Creed by their cadence. 

The service lasted about 2.5 hours with the baptism.  It was fun.

Today only had one auction item, a kanga or nice piece of cloth.  One charming little thing is that the tiny kids, I would say preschool, want to do the ritual “Shikamoo” and touch our heads.  The response is “Marahaba.”  The younger ALWAYS begins as a sign of respect.  Lots of adult handshakes and greetings too.  We went home a bit exhilarated and thinking about Rally Sunday at St. James.

More Transport

This is the Toyo three-wheeler.  It has one layer of soda cases.  Light load!

Dala dala in front, cruiser in back.  There is a silhouette of Bob Marley on the back of the cruiser, as on many of the vehicles, including autos.   

This vendor is handicapped as witnessed by the hand trike.  I do not know where the woman is (almost surely a woman) who owns the trike or whether the little girl in the back belongs to her.  The trike may come from Neema Crafts.  In the baskets are cellophane tubes of nuts, some wrapped candies and red baobab nuts.  I have no idea how someone can live on the earnings from this.  In fact, there are dozens of vendors selling the same things. 

We all scream for Ice Cream!

At the back end of the market with the bags of rice and beans, this man loaded his old cart.

A potato vendor cart, with neatly stacked potatoes.  Mine won't stand up like that!

Here is a Toyo three-wheeler loaded.

I still need to post a BIG bus and a big truck or two.

Transportation

I have been thinking about this for a week or so.   And now I have been holding it for a couple days too.  There are a whole bunch of modes of transportation here.  I have no reason to think that things are any different in other big African cities.  I can vouch for Dar es Salaam as being similar – no, much worse.

1.     Walking.  This is by far the most common form of transportation here.  People get around near and far by walking.  They carry things.  The women carry things on their heads, bundles of sticks, buckets of water, along with babies on their fronts or backs.  The men, not so much.

2.     Bicycles.  There must be women who have bikes, but I cannot remember seeing a woman on a bike.  Men carry enormous burdens on their bikes, from big bags of charcoal to multiple containers of fluid.  I don’t know if the containers of fluid are oil or pombe (the local brew).  Sometimes they might carry loads of wood, rivaling what the women carry on their heads.  You name it, you will likely see it on a bike.  It is hard to imagine how they can keep their balance!

3.     Motorcycles, in Swahili, “piki-piki.”  The Japanese ones may last 6 or more years, but the Chinese ones cost a third as much, but last only a third as long.  What to do?  It is a tough choice.  Have you ever seen four people on a motorbike?  I have!

4.     Motorcycle trucks.  These are interesting vehicles.  They are a hybrid with a motorcycle front and a truck back.  They can carry an enormous load.  Well, more than you or I might put on them, but then, when you see the way the bikes are loaded, you probably wouldn’t be surprised.  They carry bottled products, like Coke or Pepsi or beer.  I saw one carrying a sofa on end, held in place and balanced by a rider.  The description does not do the sight justice.  I was amazed.

5.     Dala dalas.  Originally named for the charge: “dollar-dollar.”  They really only cost 1500 Tsh from Ilula to Iringa, about 40 km.  That’s about, uh, a dollar (90 cents).  They get crammed with people.  Whoa!  That’s an understatement!  They have about 12 real seats.  I have counted 35 or more people in the dala dala.  And they stop many times on the way from destination to destination.  And there is no such thing as far as I can tell as a dala dala that is too full.  This is not entirely true legally (see Pirates’ Code below).  When they go past the cops, people duck down in collusion with the driver.  I have no idea why that works, but it is probably not in the Polici’s best interest to disrupt commerce either.  In Dar es Salaam, we might see people hanging on the outside of the “bus.”  These are like 12 passenger vans. 

A Rare pic of an Empty Dala Dala

Not your typical soccer mom’s minivan!  What is fascinating about this mode is that it works like our bus system at home.  It is cheap transportation that allows significant mobility.  It will be a long time before a bus system will replace the dala dala for cost effectiveness and flexibility.  They each have their routes painted on the front and back, e.g. Ilula – Iringa.

6.     Cruisers.  This is just a big dala dala.  They are imported from Japan.  Actually all the vehicles in Africa are from Japan, at least most of them.  I did see a Ford Explorer the other day.  The cruisers get crammed as full as the dala dalas, but are simply bigger and generally newer.  Maybe not!  These are what we ride in when we are coming from Dar to Iringa.  But we usually have only a dozen instead of 45 people.  Of course, we have luggage too….

7.     Automobiles, 4x4s and sedans.  The average age is a decade.  There are many Toyota sedans.  Only a few other makes are here.  Toyota has a corner on this market.  There are a few Mitsubishis and Nissans, a rare Mercedes too.  Of course, the Toyota hood ornament looks like a Mercedes hood ornament.  By accident, I am sure!  There are many Land Rovers and Toyota Land Cruisers. 

Gargantua

That’s what we have, a one year-old Land Cruiser.  It is a beauty.  Nice to drive, nice ride!  I call it “The Behemoth.”  I suppose if I called it Gargantua, I could leave off the “The.”  I fold in the mirrors to get through our gate.   Don't get me wrong.  It is a great vehicle.  But it’s no Nissan 350Z, that’s for sure.

8.     Big buses.  Huge buses.  Most folks ride the dala dalas or cruisers.  But if you are going to Mbeya or Dar, you take one of the big buses.  They are huge and over-powered.  They speed.  I don’t know how they get away with it.  Last November, as it passed another vehicle, one of the big buses clipped and killed a boy in Mbigili.  Somehow, the bus company can protect the drivers.  Apparently, the driver didn’t have any consequences.

Ubiquitous small truck

9.     Trucks, big trucks and bigger trucks.  Wow!  They don’t move as fast as the buses, but they make up for it in sheer numbers.  Semi trailers, tanker trucks, container trucks, flatbeds.  There are grooves in the road from Dar to Iringa, especially around Mikumi.  That road was new in 2006 when we first came here.  Now it needs repair.  I hope soon!

10. Airplanes.  There is an airport near Iringa, now with regular flights to Dar and Arusha (I think).  It is a good alternative to other ways of getting to Dar if you have the cash.

One thing about the “rules of the road” in Tanzania.  Well, actually there is only one rule and it’s a version of “Might makes right.”  So pedestrians beware!  Of course most drivers, except for the novice wazungu, drive on the left side of the road.  There are no traffic lights in Iringa.  There are in Dar, but I have no idea what the red light means.  I am pretty sure green is for go.  As far as other two, to quote the Pirate Barbossa, “the code is more what you'd call ‘guidelines’ than actual rules.”

Drivers, and riders for that matter, certainly aren’t risk averse.  Except for me, maybe.

NO STATE FAIR HERE

Today is Monday and we have now been gone from Burnsville for 4 weeks.  That is half of our time here.  Sometimes the days seem to go by quickly and sometimes the days seem like they will never end.  It is directly proportional to the weather, the activity level in the office and my frame of mind.  I have been sending lots of emails and making phone calls on MagicJack (a device that lets you call through the computer and not have to pay anything for them) trying to feel connected to those I am missing from home.  It works, too!  Skyped with Carly last week when she had all three of my grandkids at her house. It was fun to see them running around and playing just like they always do.  

They are doing fine without me.  

I made chicken noodle soup from scratch for dinner on Saturday night (still cool here, not hot like Minnesota).  It was good, too.  The only problem is that we will be eating it for a full week.  Every three days or so Ken and I walk up to the market and buy what few things we need for the coming week.  When I make things, it is hard to eat all the leftovers quickly enough.  Just goes to show how spoiled we are with all the preservatives we have in our food.  We have a freezer so I can keep some things longer. 

It is now Wednesday and I found something to do with my soup leftovers.  Yesterday we were supposed to do some banking and did get some of it done.  But the last week of the month is when the government pays salaries and the banks are always very busy.  Tuti, my banking buddy from the Lutheran Center,  was having a lot of trouble with her back and couldn't stand in line and so we decided to finish early this morning.  I told Tuti that I would bring her dinner so she didn't have to go home and cook.  I fixed a big portion  of the left over soup which had absorbed most of the liquid so now it was leftover "hotdish" and packed it along with some soda and some cookies from the cooking school.   We then offered to take her home from work so she didn't have to ride the dala dala.  Those are vans used as transport buses and are often very crowded.  She would have had to stand most of the way home and she lives some distance from the Lutheran Center.  When we reached her house, we were invited in and met her husband.  He is very pleasant.  She must have told him we were coming because he had on a sport coat!  They have a very nice Tanzanian house surrounded by a cement wall with a gate.  There is no grass but lots of trees and landscaped dirt (pots of plants and flowers everywhere).  The inside of her home was clean and spacious with nice furniture.  It is obvious to see that Tuti has worked hard to have a nice place to live.   She appreciated the meal, too. 

This morning we went to the bank first thing at 8:30 a.m..  We had three bank stops and several places to go for Tuti to do some business things for the Lutheran Center.  We were home at 9:30 a.m.!  Tuti said this was our lucky day and we should do something important with it!  So, I am writing a blog entry.  Hope you have a lucky day today, too!  

Oh, and just as an aside, all three of us (Ken, Tuti and I) were wearing ORANGE!  Think about that. 

Stay cool and enjoy the last days of the  Minnesota State Fair.  It may not be possible to do both at the same time but I wish you a happy Labor Day weekend.