The following post features student writing.

This weekend (July 22 & 23) we are taking a break from our work in Marurani to explore more of northeastern Tanzania!

Our first stop of the day was a small supermarket called Nakumatt in the town of Moshi. It was a perfect stop to buy refreshments and candy. A few of us bought some mixtape CDs for the bus ride. It was very interesting to compare the differences in our culture and Tanzanian culture.

Following the brief stop in Nakumatt, we broke up into groups to explore the local market. There were many different shops and storekeepers with really nice colorfully patterned pants, bracelets, souvenirs, and more. It was a really exciting experience because we got a taste of daily life in Moshi and got to negotiate with the local shop owners.

After exploring the market we headed to a restaurant with an exquisite buffet. They served rice from fair trade farmers, light roasted potatoes, and a local beef plate. For beverages we enjoyed Coca Cola, multiple kinds of Fanta, and Sprite. The group loved the wide variety and combination of delicacies. It was a perfect stop to refresh our throats and fill our bellies.

To end the day, we arrived at Babylon Hotel on the majestic slopes of the one and only Kilimanjaro. We are all enjoying the plentiful showers and soft beds! Tomorrow we will be exploring the Marangu area and will hopefully catch our first glimpse of the Kilimanjaro summit.

– Charlie, Matt, Ryan, & Alek