New Blog Started

To see if I can get the automated notifications working again I have created a new blog at http://barnbohtanzania2.blogspot.com/

Let's hope that fixes the problems.

See you at Tanzania Experience 2

Week 16 at School

This is being posted late as the internet connection was down all Sunday.

This week was back to the mundane repetitive.  The excitement was that I got the whole weekend off, the first since arriving here.

Friday night we went out for another farewell and got home at midnight with Denise a little worse for wear.  Saturday we slept in until 10am, and then did it all again Saturday night without too many drinks this time.

Sunday morning I joined a walking group hiking to the Maasai Plains / Crater.  It was rated as difficult, but if it was difficult, I hope they have at least 1 or 2 more ratings.  Some of the people struggled as it was a long downhill (40 mins) followed by a long uphill (1hr).  The problems was the lead person was going to zigzag up the hill so I said I'm going straight.  Unfortunately, everybody followed me.  I had a little chuckle to myself and just kept going.  The beauty of not being the leader.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 15 at School

Happy anniversary to Denise and me - 31 years.  As they say you don't even get that long for murder.

Friday night we went out to listen to one of the volunteers playing/singing at a restaurant in Arusha.  What a great night it was.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 14 at School

Correction

Last week I wrote:

Unfortunately we only saw the horns of a hippo about 2kms or more away.

Is anybody reading this?  Don't you know that hippos don't have horns.  That was supposed to be a rhinoceros.  It was so far away, who knows what it was.  The joke at the time was that it was probably a local walking through the long grass holding a picture of rhinoceros horns.

There is no further progress on basketball referee education.  I had planned to run part 2 last Sunday, but when I returned from safari I tried to make contact, but was unsuccessful.

We are back to the normal working week, although on Thursday we had another BBQ.  This time for some visitors from the US who were having an early Independence Day celebration.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 13 on Safari

To those who received instant photos from the safari it is no surprise that I was so blown away by the safari experience.

We went in two 4WD vehicles carrying 4 and 5 people plus drivers with a third support vehicle carrying supplies.  Denise and I went in separate vehicles, by choice.  We got back home at 9pm Friday night after having dinner with the safari group.

For all those not interested in safari, switch off now.

For those who want even more information, come on over as we would love to do it again with you.  For more information have a look at these sites:

http://www.tanzaniaparks.com/index.html#

http://www.africatravelresource.com/africa/tanzania/n/

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 12 at School

We are off on safari tomorrow morning, so when you read this I hope to be looking for animals.

Not too much new or exciting has happened this week.

There was another farewell for a volunteer leaving the school, but with 40 to 50 volunteers you can expect at least one farewell every month.

We have an 80's party next Saturday so I am up for suggestions as to what I (Peter) should wear.  Best suggestion wins a prize.

Part of being in Arusha is being asked for money from people in the street.  Most know me now and know I am a tight xxxx, so don't ask any more, but there a few who persist for the fun side of it.  My answers range from I am earning less than you to hapana (no).  There is one bloke who keeps asking me to give him my watch (which has a heart rate monitor) as he runs.  You can guess my response.  I can't get by him without being asked, but he always does it with a smile knowing what is about to come back - no.

Just in case you are wondering, I am back in training to climb two little hills.  I will tell you more about that in a later post.

HELP!!!

I am still after assistance for IT storage, so if you or anybody you know can assist it would be greatly appreciated.  See previous blog post for details.

Oh well, back to packing, then out for dinner and bed before we head off west.

Until after safari.

Assistance Required

I am wondering if there is anybody out there can assist, or knows of somebody else who can assist.

The school is looking for a network attached storage solution, preferably using a RAID5 set of disks, which can support up >24Tb of disk storage (preferably expandable) and ideally rack mountable. Can be 7.5k SATA disks, doesn’t need to be fast.

If you are able to assist please contact Peter.

Week 11 at School

After last weeks trip to Nairobi and seeing the orphaned elephants at the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage we have decided to sponsor an elephant.  It it the little one we saw that was born on my (Peter's) birthday this year.  The elephants name is Ajabu, a Swahili word meaning mystery, to reflect the unanswered questions surrounding her first precious days and what happened to her mother and her herd.

You can see details including videos and pictures at http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/

Some of you have asked why the line below.  It is to let those reading the blog on the blog site that there is more to read if they click the read more button.  Those who are registered to receive the email can ignore this line.  You can register on the right side of the blog near the top.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 10 at School

This week went to Nairobi to see:

David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/

Giraffe Sanctuary http://giraffecenter.org/

Kazuri Beads

Karen Blixen Gardens

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 9 at School

Last Sunday was our Boma Trip - A Day in the Life of a Maasai Woman.  What a fantastic trip.  It was an eye opening experience into what the real Tanzania is all about.  It just makes you realise that we do waste our money on trivial and frivolous things in the western world because we can.  Us included.

The only thing I didn't like was a cup of cold milk I was offerred - it tasted terrible.  Not too sure what it was but it was not any milk I have ever tasted before.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 8 at School

Last Sunday after doing our shopping went to a place about 2kms up the road for a drink.  We had been shopping and our normal taxi driver, Burhan, had waited for us and gave us a lift at no charge. When we arrived I noticed a new Jaguar, which in Arusha stands out like the proverbial.

We met up with one of the volunteers from St Jude's to watch the F1 Grand Prix from Spain and while there we started speaking with 3 locals who were at the next table.  One a salesman, one in IT and the other a local lawyer who owned the Jag (what a surprise).  After a few beers and a feed of goat, chicken, cow and chips we walked home.  We made it home in one piece before dark, but I carried 1,000 shillings and no keys just in case we were stopped for some reason - we weren't.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 7 at School

Well here it is Saturday night and I thought I would have nothing new to write.  That was wrong as the weeks interesting story happened today.

Before I begin, I thought I would show you my second office.

That is how I spend a few hours every day except Sunday, reclined on the bus, usually trying to balance the accounts.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 6 at School

This week it is business as usual.  We got back from Zanzibar with upset stomachs, but that cured within a day or 2.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

 

Week 5 at School

Some questions I (Peter) have been asked

What are the best/worst bits so far?

Best: the people.

Worst: not knowing Swahili. I am learning slowly, and Denise & I have even started lessons with some others at the school.  The most frustrating thing is being in town to get the shopping done as quickly as possible and work out where you are going next and somebody says something in Swahili.  I am not thinking Swahili, so it takes me a while to get into Swahili mode.

How is your work going?

Work is very basic.  You receive all the orders for the day, get some TZS (Tanzanian money) from the school Bursar, get driven to town on a school bus, find the right shops, buy whatever it is you need, bring it all back to the correct campus, write up what was purchased and balance money (the hardest part), return excess cash, then start all over again for the next day.

There are plenty of opportunities for improvement.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Lest We Forget

It's ANZAC Day and my thoughts are with all past and present serving members of the Armed Services and their families.

Some of the memories of ANZAC Day brings back for me are:

• Being at ANZAC Cove for the dawn service followed by the Australian service at Lone Pine and then the NZ service at Chunuk Bair.
• Listening to Joe recite And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda at Brigade Hill at the conclusion of the Dawn service.
• Attending ANZAC Day services in Wellington, NSW.
• Being part of the dawn services on Brigade Hill.

Denise and I listened to the dawn service in Canberra last night and my thoughts went out to all those I have shared an ANZAC Day with over the years.  You know who you are.

They shall grow not old,

As we that are left grow old,

Age shall not weary them,

Nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun,

And in the morning

We will remember them.

Week 4 at School

Week 4 at School

Just so you all know if "I" is used in this blog it is referring to Peter.  Denise is using Facebook to communicate.  Sorry for any confusion caused out there.  Now into this weeks blog.

This week I'll tell you a bit about the roads around Arusha.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 3 at School

Peter is now flying solo as the person he replaced has gone back to Australia - Brisbane in fact.

Communications remain a hit and miss affair.  To use Viber we have to use our mobile data plan as it won't work through the school network, so if you want to speak to us you will either have to ring our mobiles or set up a time when you want to use Viber.  Just remember the time difference and that we work until 5pm Tanzanian time.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 2 at School

Thanks for the birthday wishes.

All is going well here, although Peter is challenged to find the places in town he needs to visit because there is not just one shop like Bunnings or Harvey Norman or Coles.  Instead you go to 3 or more shops to find one thing then another 3 or 4 to find another.  He is learning, but it is frustratingly slow.

Life here is starting to become "normal".

Golden rules – slow down to Tanzania pace and expect the unexpected.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Week 1 at School

First of all, the Mahaba service that we encountered problems with in Dubai have offered that the next time we go to Dubai, they will offer us a complimentary service.  Thanks Mahaba.

Tuesday 26^th March 2013

It’s drizzling this morning and we woke to the sounds of roosters (I thought Gareth was here) and goats.  Today we had an induction then Peter went to check out his work.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

We Arrived - Finally

Well after a few challenges we did arrive at The School of St Jude.  We have met lots of people and had a quick look around the Moshono campus.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

We Are On Our Way

After many months of waiting, planning, packing, unpacking and packing again we are finally on our way to St Jude's.  Big K is jumping out of his skin to get out of Oz - is it that he's trying to hide from ASDA.  I took him down to Sharks training the other week, but Gal wouldn't see him.  Said he had some loose ends to tie up.  I just hope Big K gets out of the country without any problems.

Packing was interesting.  Even though we have 40kgs each we have still maxed that out and had to leave things at home.  The decision to leave things was based on our belief that we can buy them in Tanzania somewhere.  That should prove interesting if it's not the case.  Many of the things we are taking will be staying in Tanzania, so we should easily come in on the light side on our return.  Denise are you listening..... 

First stop on our journey is Dubai after a 15 hour non-stop flight.  There we have 2.5 days rest and recovery.  Then we head off to Arusha via Nairobi, a 5 hour flight, and then on to Kilimanjaro Airport, a further 1 hour flight.  We arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport at 11.10pm, then it's on to a school bus to arrive at St Jude's some time after midnight.

The next morning Peter leaps into the unknown and begins his new role in the great metropolis of Arusha, Tanzania.

For those interested who have signed up for St Jude's newsletter there is a new newsletter full of information about the school.

We were lucky, we made it through with about 10 extra kilos.  Now to see the world.

So long, farewell, and goodbye for 12 months.

One Week and Counting

Only 1 more week before we begin our BIG adventure.

But wait,there's more to this story....Click on the Read more>> button on the next line.

Every Piece Counts at St Jude's

Many of you have been asking, how can I assist and support The School of St Jude?

Well, here it your opportunity to show your support.

St Jude's have launched their Every Piece Counts at St Jude's appeal.

Carrots, chairs, computers, mosquito nets, bricks, mortar and buses - the list goes on. There are so many aspects that make up The School of St Jude, and every piece counts. This year, St Jude's is running an annual appeal for urgently needed items that will support the fight against poverty through education.

Your contribution will empower St Jude's students to help themselves, their families and the whole of Tanzania through a high-quality education.  Purchase one of the 17 items to show your support.  Remember, every piece counts in fighting poverty through education! 

Which will be your piece of the puzzle? 

Visit www.schoolofstjude.org for more information.