and now Mufindi

So our story brings us back to Mufindi where I spent an absolutely idyllic smattering of days. Master of Ceremonies as well as Social Coordinator Fox put me through my paces. In fact on my first morning (although Mr. Fox was not there) I was awakened, an exhausted blob, and merrily sent off on a horse back riding expedition with Daudi. Frequently, during our hour and a half long expedition Daudi would hopefully suggest, "We trot now?" or "Maybe we can try cantering now?", only to be stopped shortly afterwards by my squeals as I would start to slide sideways off the horse. Pretty sure that's not supposed to happen. "up down, up down" Daudi would command as we trotted and dutifully I would try to follow, but my feet would slide forward in the stirrups until I was lucky if I could get any grip at all. It was a good try though, and with the correct shoes (for me) we were both certain that I would be more successful... Anyway, as we made our awkward way through the luscious green tea fields, Daudi decided to tell me about AIDs in Tanzania. He proceeded to inform me that AIDs is so prevalent largely because Tanzanians do not like to use condoms. He explained, and I quote, "They do not like to use a condom--to use a condom gets in the way of the sweet sweet love. They say it is like eating a banana with the pod on...[he explained]the pod makes the banana bitter but if you peel it, it is again sweet." I kid you not. I honestly didn't know what to say, well, except "Yes, but isn't it better to miss out on some sweet sweet love and not get AIDs?" Anyway, you get the drift.

The following days, after that first fateful morning, were saddle sore but awesome. The Foxes arrived and all activities well and truly commenced. There was touring the farm, going to the coffee plantation with the Foxes and a peacecorp worker from a neighboring village, taking enforced walks, visiting the fish hatchery, International Croquet tourniments, eating, visiting the livestock and vegetable garden, taking hot baths (truly, that was amazing), and just generally learning about what it's like to be a tea farmer in Tanzania. I have to say croquet was a definite favorite. It was an enormous upset when Peacecorp Jim and I, Team America, beat out Team England as well as Team Belgium/France. It was HUGE. ;)
All games of course, are played according to "Local Rules" which is really just what Mr. Fox thinks will make the game more viscious, the stakes higher, and the whole experience better really. Of course, Local Rules also state things like "No one over 65 has to roll down the hill if they lose", or "Siestas are allowed only for those over 65" to name a few. During my roll down the hill I was pushed by a certain gentleman (ahem, FOX) so hard that I made a THWUMP sound and was forever excused from future hill rolling penalties! It was worth it. Besides being home to the best soups and best triple strawberry ice cream Sundays I'd ever found in the world, much less Tanzania, Mufindi also was home to two of the most wonderful, fun, and interesting people I've ever met in my life. Upon leaving I almost cried, although I was going to meet friends and family, because I wouldn't be at Mufindi and wouldn't be with my surrogate Mufindi Fox family.

Well, yet again, not caught up but I still believe! Check again soon for the combined "Iringa, Safari, and Farewell of Tanzania and Holland" update!

Love,
Sara