Fourth of July Celebration

Preparations for our 4th of July potluck

Writing out 'American' proverbs (more on this later)

Taking a break for a swing and a soda

Fourth of July Swahili style

 'Grassroot' Tree Roots 

Impromptu neighborhood cleanup while wandering with our brothers as they
evaluated the success rate of a grassroots tree planting project they started

Roping in the passerby to help us out


For Love of Coffee

A quick cultural commentary: Coffee grows in many regions in Tanzania and is exported all over the world, including to the States (where it's best known as peabody tea). Yet for some inexplicable reason, it's nearly impossible to come across a real, locally grown and roasted coffee outside of a tourist-friendly hotel or cafe, since most everyone seems to prefer Africafe instant coffee blend. Luckily, the family we stay with actually grows, roasts and brews the coffee they grow...so pretty much every morning is a good one :)

Coffee beans pre-roasting

Baba Ndosi (homestay dad) showing a group of
Minnesota students how to roast coffee beans

More of the students (with Katrina and my digs in the background!)

Katrina assisting in the traditional grinding process
(requirements: blender and electricity)

Peel remover for raw coffee beans