Life in Tanzania is feeling remarkably normal. We’ve been living in Dodoma for two weeks now, which apparently is long enough to feel like life is simple- maybe even boring, and there isn’t much to write about. Which clearly can’t be true, since we are living in the middle of Central Tanzania with a bunch of people we hadn’t even met a month ago and we now call friends. Isn’t it strange how that happens?

We begin each day at 8:30, and I now struggle to drag myself out of bed before 8 in order to walk across the courtyard for breakfast. Pathetic, I know. I continue to find my deepest motivation in the promise of a hot cup of coffee, the instant flavor forgiven because of the warm milk that accompanies it.

We continue to learn Kiswahili, the majority of us frustrated that we haven’t come closer to mastering the language in the two weeks we have been here. Yes, we all need to chill. Today we practiced purchasing groceries in the market and I secured a mango and some yogurt for myself. Success. I also purchased a beautiful basket I look forward to putting in our place in Dar. There’s nothing quite like being a successful adult and then struggling through how to introduce yourself to a stranger. The goodwill laughter that erupts is universal and humbling.

We are preparing for our three day homestay next weekend, learned to make our own water filters, visited a local hospital and university, have been checking out some of the local restaurants and capping off most evenings with a cold beer and the Olympics.

Jason and I have now been living together in one small room or another for the past six weeks and thus far we still like each other. He has been joining in the near-daily yoga classes I’m leading and has already attained some postures that I’ve spent years working on. I am deeply enjoying sharing my love of yoga with him, even though in a very un-yogi way I’m jealous of his head stand.