Settling in

A fortnight down, and settling in...

The other “Aunties” I came to Moshi with have departed on their safari, then back to Australia, so I’m no longer gallivanting out to dinner every night. I’ve actually started to eat and socialise with the folks I live with at Hostel Hoff.

Tuesday was a long day as we had three kids needing medical attention. I got dropped at KCMC while one of the carers took the other kids to Jaffery Clinic in town. Just as well I wasn’t tying up a vehicle, given we ended up being at the hospital for 6 hours!!! I’ve cobbled together a little “Clinic Bag” of items for waiting room entertainment. The doctor was American, so it was great to chat easily with the mzungu doctor. I let him know I’m an orthotist, so he didn’t dumb down his explanations as much as usual. He’s been here nearly a year & commented that it’s been the longest year of his life. I said I’d been here a week-&-a-half & it felt like a month already, so I totally understood.

We’ve had a couple of new volunteers this week, so I’m trying to find my feet with the “Volunteers Co-ordinator” aspect of my role. Not easy, given I haven’t yet got my head fully around the kids’ schedule or the scope of all the possible volunteer roles. I haven’t even fully comprehended all the tasks I’m supposed to undertake with my “Medical Co-ordinator” hat on. Was unaware one of my tasks is to pick up one child from a regular appointment, so the poor kid was stranded. Oops, will know better next week.

I visited a new hospital this week (Mawenzi), as I had to take a child for a tetanus shot. This was the first time I’ve been aware of receiving preferential treatment for being a mzungu. As usual I was the only white face in the waiting room, being stared at by most of the 30-40 folks present. As the (local) doctor came out of his room to collect the medical record cards/books from all present, a nurse whispered to him & pointed at me. As he proceeded I noticed that each card was added to the bottom of the pile in his hand, until he got to us and added our card to the top of the pile. He disappeared back into his room, then all the mothers with babies were summoned. I was mildly curious about our card placement but prepared myself for our usual long wait. Next thing I knew, we were called in first – he he! That was enjoyable; hope it didn’t annoy everyone else though. Mama Margaret was very surprised when I rang her so early to pick us up.

The weekend has been entertaining. On Saturday we saw a wedding car procession heading through town. Gotta say I think the brass band playing whilst standing in the back of a ute leading the procession is a great touch. You can hear them approaching from a couple of blocks away.

Saturday night a group from the hostel went to the Glacier Bar; an open bar & grill, dance floor, & open lawn area with plastic chairs scattered in small groups. When we arrived those for whom it wasn’t their first visit stood mouths agape as they surveyed the place. The dance floor is being renovated, as apparently is the toilet block, given there was a single Western toilet by a wall where the men’s toilet block used to be. The grill was closed too – so no dance floor, no food, no toilets. At least there was another toilet, across the lawn & through a house. There was a board in the lounge room with an arrow & “Toileth” chalked on it.

I’m finally exercising, as I have less than 2 weeks to ensure my trekking clients don’t run rings around me. Saturday I designed a little interval training circuit around the hostel & worked up a great sweat. Sunday I checked out the pool at the YMCA, which is lovely. I can see myself making regular visits there.

I must mention a funny little sight, because they’re the amusing things that make me go “Yep, I’m in Africa”. Walking back to the hostel after swimming my attention was caught by a local guy (adult) on the other side of the road, fairly normally attired in a t-shirt & trousers, and a Santa Hat! It was the genuine article; bright red with white trim & even the white pompom on the tip. It was very difficult to restrain a giggle!