I Like to Move It Move It

Jambo! Habari?

One week ago today Kate and I packed our bags, piled our luggage in a taxi and moved to a house that I can only describe as paradise. Being just a short 3 minute walk around the corner from the APYN offices was only one of the many perks of moving from the apartment at Mlango Moja to our new house in the Isamilo area. 

Our new roommate Shannon had originally been living with Megan (who sadly left us last Saturday to head back to Canada) but now had ample space for both Kate and I in the house. Not only do we all have our own wonderful rooms, but a spare room is kept as a catch all for everything from laundry to study supplies. 

Instead of hearing music blaring, cars honking and people yelling, we are surrounded by the noises of all sorts of birds and other wildlife. The green space inside our compound lets us enjoy the beautiful days at our 'home office' without being in sight of the road, or any other people. The privacy is nothing but blissful.

Our gate and front yard

Our front yard

Kate sitting at our 'home office'

One of the papaya trees

Living Room

One of the 2 bath/shower rooms with American style toilets!

Shannon enjoying our fridge AND freezer in our kitchen

My Room

 Although our apartment was still quite nice for Tanzanian standards, the Pro/Con list really didn't deny that the house provides superior accommodations. At the house we have a guard named Freddy, who is a very kind individual that takes care of the gardens and watches over the house. Our landlady is named Mama Mary. She is quite an incredible woman who works at a nearby hospital and owns a few compounds in the area. She is one of the nicest people I have met while living in Mwanza and her hospitality can't be beat. Even before Kate and I moved in she invited Shannon, Megan, Kate and myself over to her house for an African feast. She had made a whole host of authentic African dishes including sambusa (samosa) which were our favourite. Her kindness just adds a cherry on top of this wonderful place to live.

I know I just wrote a blog about food, but the extra kitchen space, utensils, and fridge/freezer space has allowed us to try our hand at making a variety of new things. 

My first batch of homemade tortillas and the biggest pineapple I have EVER seen

Banana nut bread

Some homemade fresh guac

The start of cinnamon buns

Ready for the oven

Freshly baked, and tastes almost exactly like they do in Canada!

My stay in Mwanza is nearly half over (hard to believe!) and many exciting things are on the horizon. APYN will be hosting workshops for the yoghurt Mamas in March to provide further training surrounding the probiotics and their positive effects on immune health, as well as a training session on entrepreneurship. These workshops will be very beneficial for both APYN and the kitchens in order to come together and discuss their struggles and successes as a network.  

I also have a few trips coming up at the end of March including a Safari in the Serengeti and a trip to Dubai for the Easter long weekend. The next month should be quite exciting! 

Asante!