Arrival in Arusha

11th April, and my head is spinning outta control. Trying to get sooo much done... and getting sooo nowhere!!! Well, not true. Getting places but guess what... we're getting there pole pole sana (very slowly).

Am staying in one of our mate frank's volunteer houses. very big. very chafu (dirty)... we got a cleaning lady today, finally! We're trying to have a lady come cook as well because the days have been looooong. Up at 5... home at 7pm. Our local friend, Mudi, has been fantastic, could NOT do this without him. he's been translating ,chasing, directing, organising cabs, dullas dullas, lifts, price checks. fantastic. His wife and baby are gorgeous too.

Daz has been out to the land we are buying and measured up. He got accosted by a young kid with a panga (long grass slashing knife) wanting money but daz shooed him away by standing up and beating his chest like a gorilla (or a daz verison of that anyway). The block is good and just as described/ pictured/ imagined.

Have found weeners! (Edwina, the 5th chick, lost in wilds of Africa) imagine! she was climbing more mountains and freaking everyone out with her pop-up toaster act (don't ask), but she stayed with us last night and is coming again tonight. VERY BIG FUN TO BE IN AFRICA WITH WEENIES again.

Gave donated jumpers to samaritan orphanage. Daz, Luke and I all had trouble holding back the tears. The kids are looked after well but their stories are heartbreaking. Young boy there with a brain injury because his parents tried so hard to kill him when he was born. Okay, tears again now, so shh.

I meet Rotary in an hour and it's just dawned on me that they probably want me to speak at their meeting - aghh! All good though. Also made a time to meet lawyer, Felician, tomorrow so we can draw up contract for the land. Still to see extra 9 acre block and the other 2 acre block.

Rob Watson (architect extraodinaire) gets here on Saturday so we'll have some news to report on that then. Okay, time running out, next update soon...