Spring ahead!

Tanzania does not go to Daylight Savings Time so I will only be 10 hours ahead of California on Sunday March 11th!

It has been a full 10 days in Tanzania. After traveling on Delta from San Diego to Atlanta to Johannesburg, I spent the night in City Lodge at JNB. Had wonderful prawns and calamari for dinner. Left on South African Airways for Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania.

Drove 2 days from Dar to reach Mbeya, the third largest city (Arusha is the second). Along the way, saw elephants, giraffes, zebras, and many “horned” animals (dik dik and gazelles). We also saw a leopard by the side of the road; it went into the bush quickly but it was a real treat.

After 9 hours of driving, spent the first night of travel in Iringa, a small town. Hotel was ok BUT a church across the street began VERY loud services at 5am! The second day of driving was shorter and we arrived in Mbeya.

Hotel Beaco has nice rooms and good restaurant facilities but it is located in a truck depot/cement warehouse industrial area. I am fortunately in the back so it is very quiet.

I am conducting training in two associations – one that is very new and only women. It is located in a very small village up the mountain. There is a Peace Corps volunteer, Jessica who has been working with this group for over 1 ½ years. The other association has more than 60 members who are both farmers and retailers.

Met with all of the Peace Corps volunteers in the region as they were together celebrating a birthday and a departure. Encouraged all of them to consider CNFA Farmer to Farmer programs in their future.

Weather has been wet which is great for the farmers but not as conducive for my walking. Have a wonderful week ahead.