A short update from Moshi.  I am starting a two week orientation with Amani, which has so far been quite the adventure.  I am supposed to work in every department, which will give me a good idea of how it runs.  Yesterday I was cooking and today I went out with a group to check on some of the kids who had been reunited with their families or were attending primary/secondary school sponsored by Amani.  We went out into the countryside and onto this huge coffee plantation.  It was very muddy.  Next time I go with these guys on a visit I will know to wear boots ;).

So far I am enjoying things here, although it is a much slower pace of life than what I have been used to.  Many of the other workers at Amani live very close to me (one next door) so that is good since I will be living by myself until the end of August and the surly guard is, well, surly.  One teacher here who is also a special ed teacher from Boston has really bonded with me.  She took it upon herself to show me around town and how to use the dalla dalla (local minibuses which are a hair-raising form of transport).  She also took me to market where we got all kinds of fresh fruit and veg for about 1/5 of what it would cost at home.  

Speaking of which, I seem to be through no effort  of my own on the Africa weight loss plan (thank God not the amoebic dysentery weight loss plan, or the tape worm weight loss plan).  It's much easier to go buy fresh food at the market and cook for myself than to go into town and buy expensive junk food.  As far as I can tell I have lost all the weight that I put on during the Alaska cruise, and I have only been here a week.  So that is pretty exciting :).

The staff and kids at Amani are great like I knew they would be and I have started Swahili lessons, so hopefully my communication will get better.  I was able to carry a conversation for 3 turns rather than 1 today, so that is a start :).