An eventful week

A lot has happened in the past week! Here are some of the highlights:

Starting to figure out my way around Arusha – I can now give directions to our house, even using some Swahili words

Ordering a taxi in Swahili and having it show up at the right time and in the right place

Discovering that the easiest way into town is to walk down the hill (a 15 minute walk) and take one of the many taxis waiting at the bottom

Attending a meeting with some of the parents of Umoja’s outreach students – local Tanzanian kids who will start their violin and piano lessons in a few weeks

Having someone say their phone number in Swahili, writing it down as they said the numbers and actually getting it right

Trying to memorize my phone number. If anyone’s wondering, it’s sifuri saba nane nne tano tatu tano tano saba nne  -- figure it out!

Enjoying a delicious dinner at an Ethiopian restaurant with Danielle and Tiana and her daughters

Having pizza with Liza and Danielle at the Masai Café

Dancing at Via Via!

Hearing live music at the Blue Heron

Signing up for Swahili lessons

Going  running through the coffee fields next to the International School (only once so far, but planning to make it a regular practice)

Learning to read alto clef since I have a viola student

Saying goodbye to Liza, who is off to grad school in London. I will miss her! As will so many other people! But we are excited for her as well.

Trying to organize a safari

Cooking a few quick but good meals and learning a few food words including mkate, mboga, ndizi

And of course, teaching a full week of private lessons and groups.

This evening Danielle and I were present at a very special occasion. Tiana invited us to her house for the “Minuet graduation” for her daughter Elsa, who has been one of Liza’s violin students and will now be one of mine. Elsa played for us the three minuets by J.S. Bach from the first Suzuki book, with Liza accompanying her on second violin. In the background, through the living room windows, we could see the sun setting over the hills. A beautiful setting and beautiful music. It was so amazing that in the midst of our busy and somewhat frenetic lives time stood still while we listened to a young girl play Bach. A moving testimony to the power of music to bring people together in community and to bring peace and joy into our lives. Also a testimony to the importance of supportive, encouraging parenting that celebrates the milestones, large and small, in a child’s life.

Now it is Sunday night and I am writing with the kitten curled up in my lap. A new week begins tomorrow. More adventures ahead!

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