Happy one year anniversary to us!

        One year ago today Jason and I got married on the Phi Phi Islands, Thailand. We were with our parents and siblings. It could not have been a more perfect day. I was not a bride hung up on the small details, all we cared about was that we were getting married. The very loud microphone that the preacher was speaking into could not change that. Actually, it just made us laugh. The fact that my father had to keep handing me a rag to wipe the sweat away could not change the fact that I was marrying my best friend. We laughed at that as well. All the small imperfections gave our wedding character. Sure, by time we took pictures all my make up had been wiped off and Jason's shirt was completely see through from sweat, but we didn't care. I look back on that day and it feels like yesterday but our lives have certainly changed. We have been living in Tanzania for a little over 6 months now. I am very proud of what Jason and I have accomplished in such a short time here. Jason is a pilot for a private airline and I have started my NGO, Walk In Love.

        We have been very busy but we are lucky because at the end of the day we have each other. If I did not have Jason to listen to my ramblings, my frustrations, and to make me laugh I think I would have packed up and gone home a long time ago. Life here is good but it is difficult. Just imagine if everything you thought made sense, didn't. It doesn't make sense to charge $550 to volunteer in Tanzania, it doesn't make sense to be tax exempt you have to be a religious organization, it doesn't make sense that if you are paying 2 inspectors $600/day for there expenses that you still have to pick up there $200/ night hotel room or they simply won't let you pass the inspection. I could go on and on, but I won't:) 

T.I.A.

1. A couple of days ago Jason and I were riding the motorcycle and a man on rollerblades grabbed ahold and we took him into town. I turned and said "Karibu" which means welcome, he just smiled:)

2. Our car broke down almost a month ago and we just got it back.

3. Nothing is made in Tanzania. Everything comes by truck from Kenya that is why it takes so long to get anything and why everything is so expensive.

4. You can buy a Range Rover here for $15,000 and buy the same one in the states for $4,000.

5. We see Masaai wearing all black with their faces painted white  with Ostrich feather in their hair on a weekly basis. They are going through circumcision and must dress like that for 3 months. They look terrifying but the Masaai are actually some of the nicest and funniest tribes.

6. I love it when the women make a high pitched noise while clicking their tongues on the roof of their mouths. It means they are happy:) 

7. Spending time with people in the villages makes me happy.

8. If Jason does not take off before 5:45 he has to spend the night in the Serengheti.

9.The milk here actually tastes like a cow and thats nasty.

10. If you import anything, including a package, the Tanzania government charges 48% of what they think it costs.

To see pictures of the white Masaai follow this ling:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8262578@N08/500275296/