Just a couple of our "neighbours" here at Riverside campsite. Tame compared to some other neighbours...
There are two things that I am very afraid of. One of them is snakes. The other one is rats. Since we got to Iringa, I have had every reason to be afraid. On the very first morning here, we decided to go for a stroll along the river in the campsite, being assured by other guests that this would be very pleasant. So we set off, and I led the way past the dining banda, around the corner- and straight into the path of a long, grey snake! With great fear, I leapt back, grabbed my children and screamed, "Snake!!" The Tanzanian staff nearby were quick to repsond -and let's just say that Mr. Snake is no longer around to tell his side of the story! Apparently, the snake was either a spitting cobra or a mamba- both very dangerous.
Thankfully, I have not yet encountered rats so closely, but I found it very hard to relax in our stone banda last week when we learnt that previous guests had regular rat visitors: but they just killed them themselves. I can't imagine having to do so gruesome a task myself! I was very relieved on Saturday when we changed bandas! We are now in a very pleasant wooden banda where rats have not been known to disturb residents.
We came by the banda thanks to a kind American family who have been on the campiste since the end of July, studying Swahili before working for SIL (Wycliffe translators). They are out on "homestay" this week, where they go and live in a Tanzanian home to improve their Swahili, with their 2 small children. What an experience! They come back here for a few days to complete their course and then depart for Dodoma. They very kindly arranged for us to swap bandas with them, so I am feeling much better in our new "home".
The campsite itself is in lovely surroundings, on the bank of a river. Our little thatch classroom is right next to the river, so we are soothed by the sound of flowing water as we attempt to conjugate our Swahili verbs! Meals are provided and eaten in a large dining thatched banda together with all the guests, both language students and private guests. The food is great and we are meeting lots of nationalities here.
I must stop now. It is time to go and revise Swahili, before our early start tomorrow. Here's hoping that Ben will be happier and Esther healthier in the week to come!
Thankfully, I have not yet encountered rats so closely, but I found it very hard to relax in our stone banda last week when we learnt that previous guests had regular rat visitors: but they just killed them themselves. I can't imagine having to do so gruesome a task myself! I was very relieved on Saturday when we changed bandas! We are now in a very pleasant wooden banda where rats have not been known to disturb residents.
We came by the banda thanks to a kind American family who have been on the campiste since the end of July, studying Swahili before working for SIL (Wycliffe translators). They are out on "homestay" this week, where they go and live in a Tanzanian home to improve their Swahili, with their 2 small children. What an experience! They come back here for a few days to complete their course and then depart for Dodoma. They very kindly arranged for us to swap bandas with them, so I am feeling much better in our new "home".
The campsite itself is in lovely surroundings, on the bank of a river. Our little thatch classroom is right next to the river, so we are soothed by the sound of flowing water as we attempt to conjugate our Swahili verbs! Meals are provided and eaten in a large dining thatched banda together with all the guests, both language students and private guests. The food is great and we are meeting lots of nationalities here.
I must stop now. It is time to go and revise Swahili, before our early start tomorrow. Here's hoping that Ben will be happier and Esther healthier in the week to come!
What a week its been! We are praying that the coming week will indeed be easier, happier and healthier for you all. Give Esther & Ben a special cuddle from us... & sending best wishes to you all. Jx (If you send us a quick or even blank e-m, we'll know your address)
ReplyDeleteYou dont have to go to Africa for wildlife
ReplyDeleteWe have had 2 mice, now gone to heaven on peanut butter, one field mouse, don't have the heart to kill and a rat behind our house!