God's Bridge

This morning we went down to breakfast at seven (breakfast is from 6-8), and the cook was just opening the door. We had to leave for school so we couldn't wait. This is an example  of how timing is here. Everything is pole pole (pol-ay pol-ay, meaning slow slow). People are not in a rush, and giving people times doesn't mean much. We were told the other day we would be picked up at eight, and it wasn't until 8:45 that he arrived. Yesterday a teacher asked our friend Eva to meet him in his office, and she showed up and he wasn't there, he didn't seem to think anything of it. The girls said the breakfast thing happens quite often, almost daily. It is very culturally different from the U.S. in anything regarding time. It is taking some getting used to. (Hannah, I will be so much more patient with you now! :) )

On the walk to school, which is probably 30-45 minutes, Eva showed us a good place to buy some bananas and yogurt when breakfast at the hostel falls through. The bananas are delicious! So much more flavor than back home. 

During sports at school Jake taught the kids about American football, and they played catch with the one we brought. The kids loved the jump ropes, and everyone wanted to play frisbee! It was fun to give them all the supplies, they loved it.

After school today we planned to take a bus to the Riverside to see God's Bridge. It is a natural made bridge that we were told is something you have to see.  The bus ride there fit every single person it could into the bus. Jake told me while on the bus 'if I ever complain of anything again, remind me of this bus ride'. I think it describes it perfectly. 

The way people talked about it, we thought it was just a path to the river. Well, that was not the case. It started out like the picture below, and then went through the forests. Sometimes there were paths, other times there weren't. It was an intense hike, that none of us were prepared for. We all had on sandals, and Iga and Kim had on skirts. 

It was nice to have Eric with us, he is a local who is a math teacher at the school. Many locals only speak Swahili, so he can communicate for us. It is very helpful, he is such a nice guy. 

When we got into the park more, a dog started to walk with us. He would run ahead, then look back. He was leading us! It was 4 km and the dog led us the entire way. I think we would have been lost without him. 

When we got to the bridge, the dog waited for us while we were there for about 45 minutes! Ten, led us back a completely different way. He was amazing.  

The bridge was incredible. The pictures really don't do it justice. We can't even think of words to describe it, it was breathtaking. We were the only people anywhere around, and the sounds of the water through the rocks and the views were absolutely incredible. 

We the went to a very nice dinner and then stayed up drinking local African beer and playing cards in Sarah and Eva's room. It reminded me of living in the dorms. It is fun that we are not only learning about Tanzanian culture, but also the cultures of the other volunteers. I am loving all the the different words, phrases and accents that I am surrounded with. Sarah asked me to hand her a flannel last night... it meant washcloth or rag. There have been multiple situations similar to that and I find it so interesting and fun! I will have many more accents to use when I return to the states (Nate and Dani..I bet you can't wait to hear them :) ).

It was an incredible day!