Monday October 1st
Having ridden down to Pangani at 5:30 this morning to leave
his motorbike and save seats on the Dala dala, so that Rose and Vicky could
board at the end of the road, Denis is now stuck in Tanga. When they got there Rose’s bus was full and
there were no seats so they are staying over and going tomorrow. As Denis himself said in his text, TIA. I’ll have to find a new drinking partner
tonight.
Rose
I handed out my pictures on the way to school this morning,
having already, last night, given Rose a copy of the photo of Denis from an
earlier blog The rock breaker was not working,
for the first time since I arrived, so I called out ‘hodi’ and he came out of
his house to greet me. I’m not that
certain what hodi means I think it is something like ‘I am outside can I come
in’. I don’t think he knew what to say when I gave him the picture but
certainly as I went down the hill after school his wife appeared and shouted
out a cheerful “asante!” (thankyou) which was handy because I at least know the
response to that – “karibu!” (your welcome).
The other photos were also well received especially the one of Mr Marri
in front of his house. My only problem
is that there have already been a few hints of others that want similar
treatment. I’ll have to buy a job lot of
Weetabix boxes.
Mr Marri informed me when we met that he would not be in
school all day as he was taking seven of my Form III students to Pangani as
part of some Civic course. Knowing that
the only transport in school is Mr Mtotele’s motor bike, I enquired whether
they were going on a Dala dala but Mr Marri replied, “No, we’ll walk. It’s only 5km.” I didn’t envy them, in the heat, although he
did say a steep path down to sea level was a short cut. Having walked to the edge of the school
property and taken a shot of the sheer drop that is there I only hope it was a
safer way down. On the way back from the
cliff I detoured to take a picture of the masts that provide extra rental
income for the school every year. I’m
unsure whether they also speed up cooking times.
With many of my class out for the day, I hastily rewrote my
lesson plan and we did an experiment to gather data about reaction times. I’m pleased to say it went very well. That and
more computer lessons filled my day although I did get the first request for a
photo. One of many to come I am sure.
Anna, Sakina and Kamishina
Incidentally I am still coming to grips with the various
ages of pupils. I know these three are
16, 17 and 17 but I do have two in the class who are 20. I will investigate what the ages of
compulsory schooling are and let you know.
Arrived home very hot thinking a swim was the order of the
day but I am afraid the site of a fresh sheet stretched on my bed was too much
of a draw, so siesta time called. I am
spoilt in that I get clean sheets and towel Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Adventure? Sometimes maybe not.
Baadaye
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