Blog 9 - Culture Night!

Blog 9 … Chagga Cultural Night

We had just arrived back from manual labor and all hopped in the shower and threw on our nice dress clothes to get ready for the long night ahead of us. We all sat around the table and waited for our guests to come. Baba Dick kept telling us the Mamas were joining us for dinner and dancing but when the 15 Uru students we had met the other day showed up we all were in shock. We all greeted them and helped set up more tables and chairs so we could all crowd around one big table. There were smiles all around from our students, to Uru students, and chaperones too. We enjoyed (well some of us) the traditional food from Tanzania. Rice, beans, meat sauce, Ugali, yams (or lambs… ha ha), and other various vegetables and dishes. There were also some different forms of bananas, some better than others. Some of us made the Uru students try Nutella on their chapatti for the first time. It was pretty funny. Once the meal was over it was time to move all the tables and chairs. We had to get ready for the traditional dance show. The dance show started off with 6 traditional dancers running in and showing us some weird, but interesting moves. They then put us into lines (hello dance team) and showed us some moves. Then it was time to get into a circle. This is where many of us got to showcase our moves (Ben). Many were pulled (forced) into the middle and followed the steps of those who knew what they were doing. After the big dancing circle, it was time for the dancers to turn into acrobats. Four huge jacked dancers were doing flips and climbing on each other. Even Tricia thought the gymnastics skills were impressive. During this show, one of the guys was balancing bottles and tennis balls on a stick in his mouth. One main highlight of the acrobatic show was the fire. They had grabbed two torches lit with fire and would rub them on their bare skin. They also put them into their mouths which was mind blowing. This experience made me feel like I was at the circus and we should take some tricks back to the U.S. After fire and flips they pulled out the jump rope. Many of us took part in the jump roping as well. Kendall started us off and Baba Dick ended the show. Sam, Ben, and Andrea might as well join double Dutch they were so good. More tricks were to come when they pulled out the limbo. Jenna and Brock took on the 16-18 in off the ground limbo, both pulled it off with a little help. The show ended with some random chanting and singing. We gathered together for pictures and said goodbye to our guests. The Uru students didn’t want to leave and we didn’t want them to leave. It was sad to say goodbye to friends we’ve with whom we only spent a few hours. This experience was amazing and culture night will never be forgotten

-Kendall and Larkin

Hi Mom, Dad, and Drew I am having the time of my life in Tanzania but miss u guys as well. I will be sure to tell you everything see you soon! Love you

-Kendall

Hi Family- I’m having so much fun, the way of life is so different but definitely enjoyable. Weather is hot but I’m not taking it for granted. Lots of pictures and things to share! See you all soon. Love you guys

-Larkin