Nane Nane

The sights and sounds of Nane Nane:  As I mentioned last time, this day is set aside to honor farmers and peasants, and is always held at the very large fairgrounds just on the outskirts of Dodoma.  Since the day has to do with farming, there are lots and lots of exhibits showing different crops, gardens, animals, including bee keeping (honey production is a big industry here in Dodoma region), sunflower oil making, etc.  We saw demonstrations on solar power and energy efficient wood-burning stoves.  And a lot of government offices had places where they announced and taught the services that they provide.  There was used clothing galore, shoes (new and used), lots of household good being sold along the roads and in other places being auctioned.  The Wildlife and Tourism Ministry brings in a few exotic animals (lion, hyena, boa constrictor, etc) and that’s always a popular place for people who have never seen the wildlife of their own country.

I made a beeline to the place that I remembered from previous years, the place that Tanzanian craft is sold.  There wasn’t as much displayed this year as last year, but some of the craft was of new designs and very nice.  We didn’t go all around the whole fairgrounds because of the sun and dust but saw lots of interesting things.  Before we left, we had our meal, in a tent with a couple of small tables and the cooking being done in the back of the tent by a woman who had set up her kitchen there for the duration of the fair.   It was tasty (spiced rice) and some vegetables.  This is a great time of the year to do business, and everyone with anything at all to sell was there at Nane Nane grounds, hawking their wares.  We also noticed a lot of extra traffic on the main road, as well as people walking back and forth, and motorcycles galore.  A good time was had by all.

It seems like our season is finally changing.  Everyone has been remarking that our cool season is exceptionally long this year but now I think it's finally finished.  It's been nice while it lasted but now my blanket has been put away and the time has come again to begin sweating.

And tomorrow will start the final week of school for me for almost a month.  I’ve been preparing lessons for the classes to do while I’m away and I think that’s ready.  The students will have a week of mid-term break during that time as well so we’ll all have a time away from each other.  I’m looking forward to seeing friends and doing the work we need to do as Maryknoll Sisters to prepare ourselves for the future.  My motto during these months of preparation leading up to our General Assembly has been:  Trust in the slow work of God.  And so I do.