Fun Monday

On Sunday morning I found out I was flying to Haidom Lutheran Hospital to be introduced and assist in problem solving for the implemented electronic medical record system at Selian/ALMC and Haidom. We met for a full day of relatively intense meetings in this very remote village in west central Tanzania. The hour flight over was cloudy BUT the flight back gave ample time to take pictures. Haidom airport is an uneven field that we first buzzed to scare off any animals. Its hilly and quite funny as it sits a few thousand feet off the ground just a few hundred yards away. It was my officially first "bush" landing. So cool.

Haidom Clinic is run by Oystein Olson who's father started the hospital along time ago. The Norwegian gov't subsidizes to some extent. He and Dr. Jacobson are very reputable in the medical system in Tanzania as I felt very surreal watching them interact together. It is special and unique history as it unfolds. While there we ate norwegian cheese and bread with caviar. It was quite the treat a few donors left in the past day.

It was great to see another hospital in action in remote Tanzania. Haidom sits on a rift (literally) above the plateau below. We flew over rifts, Taragiri National Park/River, Lake Manyara, as well as Maasai peoples' lands and saw other unique features like stand alone mountains. In the pictures you'll see the circular "enkangs" which are their homes and gates surrounding the village to protect their sustaining cattle. The Maasai believe in the powerful circle of life as noticed in their singing, ornaments, and dances. So cool to see from the air too.

Also...while at Haidom I survived my first earthquake!! Like I said they sit right on top of the rift and they had an earthquake while I was there. Well it barely made Oestein stop talking but it sure caught my attention when he casually announced.."earthquake". I'm sure he liked the look I gave him. Regardless, it was all bark but no bite. Loud and exciting but it hardly moved a chair.

Today (Tuesday) I cut out from work early and walked around town. I made a "friend" (actually I guy who was selling me his art/which was ironed on pictures of cape buffalo) who taught me swahili all day while I walked around until the point I wanted to be by myself and he asked for money. So it goes. Joel is leaving for home tomorrow. Very sad!! He will be missed from the house and especially for his interesting stories and jokes, going on jogs in the afternoon, and all things he contributed to the first leg of my trip as well as being a great person for the people he helped. Thanks for the memories Joel!

Oh and after Monday's flight, Mark and Linda had people over for a going away meal for Joel. Here is the pic!


(L2R)Charlie, Erik, Laura, Linda, Mark, Libby, Rebecca, Joel, me.