Masai Outreach Clinics

Brandon and I just returned from outreach clinics to the rural Masai areas. (These are the same clinics that I did with Maiken back in October.) Above, Brandon with the plane and Mt. Meru as a backdrop; below that, a picture of a Masai village taken from the air (much greener during the rainy season as compared to my pictures from October). Because of the rains, all of the animals had spread out across the area...we flew right over giraffes, zebras, impala...basically a bonus flying safari!

The clinic huts, above, are made from mud, sticks, and cow dung. Above, the mamas line up to see me (for OB and regular clinic visits) inside the hut, while Brandon sets up his baby-weighing and vaccine station outside. Below, one of his least happy customers:

One of the clinics was quite chaotic, with no semblance of crowd control; below, Brandon being swarmed by mamas with their babies, and below that, me doing pre-natal exams in a very crowded corner of the hut.

The older kids at the clinics are very helpful with setting up the clinic; above, Brandon's little buddy who helped him bring in the suitcases of medicines from the plane.

Our blue gloves were a HUGE hit at one of the clinics...the kids just couldn't get enough, and within a few minutes were using them as blow-up toys, water vessels, hats...basically, "The Gods Must Be Crazy" Part Two.

Randomly, we met a group of Franciscan nuns, who were quite excited to get a picture by our plane. They were basically like the sisters from "Sister Act," singing and laughing, wanting to pose for pictures and joke around with us.

Quite an adventure!

Zanzibar!

We just returned from a week on the island of Zanzibar...not a bad way to spend the holidays! Above, a picture of Stone Town (the main town on the island), which used to be the capital when Zanzibar was an independent nation. We spent most of our time on the other side of the island, which was quiter and had great beaches.

Above, the three of us girls sporting purses woven from leaves, made for us on a "spice tour." The island grows cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, and all kinds of other spices and fruit...and we got to sample it all fresh! Delicious. Speaking of delicious, there was a fresh fish market in Stone Town where we just walked up to one of the above stalls and they BBQ'd shrimp, lobster, calamari, shark, etc. for us on the spot. Yums.

One of the beach towns had a music festival on the beach...great bands and dancers from many countries, and time for some poker too! Ann and Grant, on the right, are med school friends from Minnesota who joined us from their current location in Uganda. We made some hilarious makeshift poker chips using cement chips and bottle caps, which worked out beautifully: For Christmas, my mom sent us some decorations so we could feel more festive while away from home. The champagne told us to wear them like the Masai do:

All four couples at Christmas dinner.

We had lots of good beach time, including swimming with dolphins (amazing!), and some beautiful sunrises:
Brandon and a Masai man, chillin on the beach:

These last two are from a fantastic New Year's Eve spent by the ocean:

Happy 2010!

Wedding in India

I took a small detour from Tanzania to spend a couple of weeks in India. The main event was a college friend's wedding. A whole crew of my college friends flew in from the US, and we had an awesome time! The ceremonies took place over a few days, starting with a party in Delhi:

Above, a pic with some good buddies from college.

Below, one of the sexy hookah lounges set up at the party.

A picture of the "pooja," or prayer, that is meant to bless the groom before his wedding:

Above, an awesome "fire dance" that the bride's side does to announce her arrival.

Below, some of us at the music festival, or "sangeet," that happens the night before the wedding.

At the actual wedding ceremony, the groom enters in a big procession, riding a horse and with his entire side of the party dancing to announce his arrival. Everything is extravagant and glorious...and every night ended with dancing until 4 or 5 in the morning!

Above, the lovely bride and groom (at the ceremony that took place at three in the morning, a time the priest had deemed most auspicious!)...and below, the groom with all of his friends from overseas.

Of course, amidst all of the wedding fun, I had some time to visit with family. I spent one week in Kerala with my grandma and some cousins:

The Shoranur train station (I love the trains in India!), in the town where my grandma lives:

Above, fishermen in Cochin, Kerala take a break to play a game.

Below, a hilarious sign in the Jewish part of Cochin:

After all of the fun, I had time for a farewell meal with some cousins before flying back to Tanzania:

Such a great trip!