TIA

Hey all,

Just thought I'd drop you a quick note and give you a little update. For the past week or so I've been living at that community arts center, called Creative Solutions, which empowers citizens through skill developement. Its been a great experience and I've gotten the opportunity to do many things including: teaching English and computer classes, weaving baskets, working on an outdoor glass mosaic, and just helping out around the house in general. Tomorrow I'll paint a room I think. Its really great and I've been living there with another volunteer from Germany named Mandy who is a lovely girl. The woman who started Creative Solutions with her husband is named Aida (formerly Alice) Ayers, an African American woman native to Nevada/New Mexico, who moved to Zanzibar about 15 years ago. She married a Zanzibari native, Mbarouk, who is actually originally from the neighborhood in Stone Town where I live. They are amazing people, and living out on their farm and working has been extremely gratifying. I was planning on maybe making a trip up to Arusha, but now plan to stay to work another week. In addition to the daily ins and outs, I've been able to do a great deal of my own art, which has been great, as I haven't been able to do much in the last few years. It was pole pole (slow) at first, but now the art is pouring out of me, and I'm very grateful. Mbarouk is an awesome cook, and I've become well versed in Zanzibari cuisine, which is amazing! Today I am in Stone Town and will go to another wedding here, of the daughter of our Kiswahili teacher, Bi Asia. Tomorrow I will head back out to the farm/community center, located in Mangapwani, about an hour's dala dala ride from town. Today on the way into town we got stopped by the police, and then there was a lot of shouting, and our driver got fingerprinted. To add insult to injury, later on the ride in, we got side swiped by another dala dala, and I just got out and walked the rest of the way into town. As the catch phrase of the Creative Solutions home goes, "TIA", This Is Africa.

Today marks two weeks left in this insane trip, and I'm filled with many mixed feelings. I now feel that Zanzibar is a home to me, but am very excited to come home and see everyone! Should be interesting. I'll try and write one more time before I leave.

best,
laura