Loooong weekend!

This last weekend was not just one day longer but two glorious days....meaning 4 days in total off!  It made the fact that my teacher buddies in Aus are on a two week holiday just a bit easier...haha

I am realising more and more how much of an introvert I am.  Four days was perfect since I could do my own thing on Friday before heading to Arusha as a group on Saturday.  Before I get onto that, I am so happy that I've been able to gain a whole new level of independence.  No more shopping with the group....I know most of the places I want to go in town now, and love the freedom of catching a boda boda (motorbike taxi) and doing Saturday shopping solo.  It has seriously become my happy place!  I love my housemates/workmates, but 7 days of being around people is too much.  Rather than being frustrated by this, I'm learning to accept the way that God has made me and enjoy every moment of solitude and silence that I can get!

That said, Saturday was group outing day and was great fun!  The school directors organise fun trips for the teachers every now and then, with everything paid for.  This time was Arusha, a bigger city about 1.5 hours from here.  It's a bit higher than Moshi, so also cooler and heaps greener.  We could see Mt Meru on the way too.

On the road to Arusha...can kind of see the outline of Mt Meru.....

"Slum Dunk" haha.  And handy signs so we know left from right.

First stop was a super posh coffee lodge for lunch.  The fish and chips were amazing!  Totally touristy but soooo good.

Person trying to stab me: That would be my boss!

Next was the cultural heritage centre and museum.  We got to see Tanzanite (really pretty blue gem) and the guy who owns the whole place was super passionate when talking about it.  He had one gem worth $11 000 000 but I think I'll wait til he's got some bigger items in stock before making a purchase.

Hand-carved out of a tree....wow

I got munched.

Last stop before returning home: icecream!  Just a bit better than the frozen-melted-frozen-melted-frozen again variety I usually get at Woodlands (little local supermarket)

All up it was a great time and returning to Moshi made me realise just how much here feels like home now.  God's blessings on your week xxx