Working hard and going to the SA corps at the Shukrani center

  The ladies of the corps redecorate the front of the chapel. I'll add a photo so you can see what they have done. Last night I had dinner with Majors Mary and Hosea Kindi at the Apricourt restaurant in Mbeya.  I had a sizzling platter.  It is very dramatic.  The meat and vegetables are on a very very hot metal plate which is then placed in a wooden tray and it is all steaming and sizzling when it is brought out.  It tastes very good too.
  Mostly I am spending my time at work in my office. I am posting some photos of my wonderful colleagues, Josephine, Abednego and Mwasulama.  We have done a lot but there is still much to do.  I am teaching a class for laboratory workers once a week too.
  My friends Mike and Oriel Horner took me to the new location of the Pizza and Burger joint.  I thought it had closed but it is just at a new location.  They make a very thin crust pizza with many wonderful toppings.  Yummy.
  I am by myself at the Walter Reed Guest house for awhile.  It is very quiet and lovely here.  I had a very restful day today.

 

Meeting my 3 week old Tanzanian grandson

      Well, I have been to my church corps at the Shukrani School twice.  I have met the new officers, Mkende - I think is their name.  The wife is the corps officer and the husband works at the school.  I couldn't stay and talk with them as I was troubled with the pharaoh's revenge, which bothered me for several days.
      Now the story about the new baby.  The first time I came to Mbeya in 2008, I met 2 students that were training at the lab.  The second year, in 2009, they got married. Last year in 2010 They had a little girl named Angela.  This year I met their little boy, Innocent Barak, who is now 3 weeks old.  I am attaching some photos of the boy with his bebe Donna.
     I am so lucky, I have grandchildren all over the world, some of which even look like me.

   Amazingly I made all of the airline connections even though the time was short in both Detroit and Amsterdam. I met Barb and Gail, my colleagues, while boarding the flight in Amsterdam.  We arrived uneventfully in Dar Es Salaam.  It took a bit of time going through customs and getting visas.  Then came the luggage, as usual for this leg of the trip one bag still remained in Amsterdam.  (3rd time for this)
   We checked in at the Kilimanjaro Kimpinski Hotel for the week.  This gave us time to adjust to the time zone and attend the workshops with the quality officers.
    The ASM mentors were meeting for their debriefing during this week.  This gave us an opportunity to meet and chat with them a bit.  It would be nice if we could have joint meetings sometime. It would be good to be able to build on each other's work.
    There are flights to Mbeya but not on the day we needed so Patrick, my CLSI boss, rented a car for what turned out to be a thirteen hour drive.  Dickson, who works with CLSI, accompanied me.  He paid the bill for the guest house and tried to get internet for me. On the drive we saw a car on fire by the road-side with billowing smoke.  As usual I am totally in awe of the African Sky and loved the ride through Mikumi.  I even took a few photo and remembered past trips. Although I am missing my family already, it is good to be returning to Mbeya.
    It was good to hug Jenny, the housekeeper and Marshet, the DOD lab director, again.  I was immediately feeling at home in the guest house.
    Of course with Mr TImba gone, the lab was different. I am now working with Caroline, the new Quality manager and her assistants Nicko and Abednego.   Mwasulama and Joesphine and many others welcomed me back and got me settled in the office again.  Oh my,  what a lot of work to do!

Packed and Ready to go

  It looks like I may be staying at the Guest House - per Marshet.   That will be nice to have some  things not changing.  I have pretty much packed my suitcases.   I have a three month supply of meds and malarone- to prevent malaria.  There are a few things to add at the last minute - my sleep apnea machine and hearing aid case.  Aging always has new surprises to say the least.  I get to bring so many interesting things with me to Africa.
     My dental work is fairly up to date. I have had one crown re-glued and another replaced.  I'll have a new night guard tomorrow.    Our taxes are even done.  I think I am ready.   Tanzania - here I come !

Preparing for 4th trip to Tanzania

One more week until I leave for Tanzania.  Mbeya is getting close to being inspected by SANAS.  Mr Timba is gone and I will have the opportunity to work with a new Quality Officer.  I'll get to see old friends again.  Majors Chris and Dave have returned to Australia and I will surely miss them.  On the other hand I will get to meet the new principal of Shukrani school.  There are new officers at the corps. I wonder if they will speak English.  I may not be staying at the Walter Reed Guest House so there may be many new things for me on this visit.