I always remember this line from the song, “Closing Time” as it makes endings seem less sad. At least, most endings.

After almost 10 years at CaringBridge, I decided to leave and try something new and different. Paul and I have been talking about living somewhere else for a few months for a little while now. So then we started talking out loud and to other people and pretty soon we had a plan, or at least part of  a plan.

I left my job on January 12th and we left for Tanzania for 3 months on January 18th. Currently we are planning a year of travel. We are calling it our “Gap Year” and this is the first stop!

As I write this we have arrived and are getting settled in. There is always the issue of jet-lag, so we are working on getting our days and nights figured out. Throw in the bonus of both of us catching a cold and we are off!

We are currently staying at the Elephant Motel as our house is being remodeled to add a bathroom. Our house is actually the motel manager’s house, so we will be sharing space with him. His name is Seth. Everyone at the motel is very kind and accommodating.

Paul’s parents are also here with us for the first two weeks. They have been to Tanzania several times in the last 20 years. In fact the first time I was here, 12 years ago with GCN (Global Citizens Network), they were here leading a group from the Newman Center in St. Cloud. I did not know at the time that they would be my in-laws!

Our host is Father Mansuetus Setonga. Paul has been working with Father over the last few years in helping establish a nonprofit called Mater Dei Africa. It provides outreach programs to the area around health, education, and agriculture. They have just opened their new offices the 1st of the month. We will see what help we can provide in the coming months. Here is their website if you are interested in learning more. http://materdeiafrica.org/

Water is an issue and you always see some form of water being transported, either by bike, motorcycle, hand cart, or donkey! I know I take our land of 10,000 lakes and fresh clean water for granted when I see this little one trying to get her donkeys home from an all day journey to get water for a day.

Our pace has slowed and I am hoping to take in each day. I actually stopped what I was doing the other day to listen to singing in the far off distance. It was beautiful and it felt good to be present.

Paul was here 3 years ago and spent 6 weeks in the same area. It is fun to see the friends he made back then, so excited to see him again. I’m looking forward to getting to know these friends and making new ones.

As I write this, Saint Paul is digging out of almost of foot of snow. I’m feeling a little bad sitting here with a warm breeze, eating fresh mango, bananas and pineapple for lunch, ok only just a little. Many thanks to our house sitter for making this time away possible for us and now all this shoveling.

I will close for now as this first post needs to get out. Thanks for reading and all the love and support we received in sending us on our journey.