Moshi ~ Friday-Saturday

Friday, January 17

The Bristol Cottages was booked for the weekend so on Friday we had to move to another hotel. We tried a couple and they were all full so we ended up at Kilimonjaro Crane Hotel.








It was fine, a very old building so it had a little of the old charm.
We had so much luggage ~ Dana had to walk to the hotel while John, the luggage and I rode in the cab! We have heard about Tanzania being famous for losing power and water but we haven't experienced that yet. But you know what they say ~ never say never. On our first night at the Crane we lost power but only for a few minutes. We were prepared with our flashlights. The next night we lost it again but only for a short while and had no hot water ~ we were excited that we finally experienced it all.



Saturday, January 18,


This was the big day ~ we were meeting Kisha!

The kids at Upendo were outside playing when we arrived.



We left early, around 9:00 and had to take a cab because we had a large suitcase filled with gifts for all of them. It costs about $2.50 -$3.00 for a cab.

As we came around the corner, there was Kisha. She had just gotten home. She had to get up early to take a public bus at school for the hour ride to Moshi. Then she had to take a dala dala from the bus station to the gate and walk from there. All by herself.
She was so happy to see Dana! And Dana was thrilled to see her.
What a reunion!








In their room ~ right away we were served cakes ~ little store bought snacks ~



The word for this trip seems to be surreal ~ we couldn't believe we were actually meeting Kisha and yet we felt as if we already had. She was so natural and embraced us right away, "mama, baba."

Elizabeth and Rehema were already cooking and mama Elitha said Dana and I needed a kitanga (we think it is so we didn't get dirty)
So she fixed us up ~







We were not allowed to do a thing and felt terrible that they were cooking and we were playing.



Next we were served fried cassava and fried sweet potatoes ~ delicious but none of this was related to the meal ~



Then it was chi and chapatti ~


We played cards with the deck that Carl, Sandy & the kids gave me for my birthday before we left. The kids here loved seeing the family picture on the cards.






Everyone cooking ~ Kisha had to change from her uniform and wash it out for tomorrow. All of these children do chores; sweeping, helping with cooking, dishes and their own laundry ~ in a bucket ~ by hand.


Us playing ~



Eric had school in the morning but then he joined us ~ a real card shark~






After one hand, John decided he should watch the pro and learn a few
things ~



Elizabeth cooking, using the pot holder that Lauren made for mama Elitha ~ (They normally use a small piece of cardboard )


Relaxing ~ having fun ~ these are such loving, humble, friendly people


Lynn and Kisha ~






Dana, Eric, Gabriel, Lynn, Jennifer ~


Eric always wins ~


Still cooking ~ MY back is aching just watching ~


Kisha, Elizabeth, Reh, mama Elitha ~


John and Gabriel ~





They loved the iPad and caught right on ~ we have a few videos hopefully we will be able to share ~


Finally it was time to eat ~ we had to go inside to eat ~ the food was all put into serving bowls ~ and of course we were expected to eat first. We had rice, two kinds of beans, greens, two different kinds of meat, mashed potatoes and fresh pineapple for dessert. It was a delicious meal that took all day to prepare and was filled with genuine love and caring for us all.

Elizabeth left for a short while and came back with her niece, Penuela ~ what a beauty!








Mama did relax with us for a while ~ and even got into the video games~






When we were getting ready to walk home ~ it started to pour. We all had to go inside and crammed into mama & Kisha's little room ~ sitting on the beds, standing in the corners ~ music was playing ~ Kisha and her friend started dancing ~ we had a great time!
Kisha and Elizabeth left for choir practice, and we called a cab.

What a great day!