So, no post yesterday. It was a bank holiday, so every thing was closed. Anya and I stayed home. I did a bit of revision on my paper, a nap, emails, some yard work, and a bit of just vegging surfing the web. No pictures. No post.
Today, Anya was off to school after several days off. After school, she went off to the mall on her own with her bus pass to buy a pair of Hummel brand, soccer-style sweat pants that everyone wears around here. She made her own pizza for dinner, because I was at the Maasai seminar.
I had a bit of time at home to do more revision on my curse section. In reading the approximate 50 pages, I feel that things are gelling fairly well. However, I’m so close to this writing that I no longer have much objectivity.
After lunch, I got on the bus to the airport area to go to a conference center on the beach. I walked the last 30 minutes, but it meant that I got to walk past some interesting and beautiful areas. I love Google Earth to help me figure out the things to see and how to plan a walk. Then on the map app on my phone, I will set the path and have the ability for GPS to keep me from taking a wrong turn or getting lost. Pretty cool! For example, I didn’t know about this next place until the mapping process. Then I could read a bit of the history on Wikipedia (Norsk version, translated by Google translate). Finally, I looked at pictures on Google Earth an on Goggle images.
First, I walked past a church that was originally built in 1150. Wow! However, it had fallen into disrepair in the late 1800s and the German soldiers dismantled it during the occupation during WWII. But then, the local community put the funds and effort into rebuilding it.
From image searches on the internet, it seems like it is quite a nice wedding chapel. However, it is so close to the sea that is must be windy all the time!
But with the wind comes kite surfing! Does this look like Norway to you?!?
Back to the Sola ruinkirke. A building on the grounds is a great representation of the grass roofed buildings, which were prevalent in bygone days.
The Maasai seminar had 7 of us: one Norwegian, one American, one Dutch woman (it doesn’t seem like you can just say one Dutch); and four Tanzanians, two of whom are Maasai who arrived today for the seminar.
This is part of Knut’s grant. We started with lunch (which was nice, because I realized my sandwich was not enough.) Knut then laid out the scope of the project. While Knut was speaking, I could look look past him and watch five kite surfers do their magic on the water. Amazing!
Next, Dr. Parsalaw, Vice Chancelor of Tumanini University Makumira, presented on the history of Maasai Christianity in Tanzania. Then I presented my research project and got some good feedback from the Maasai guests and our Dutch anthropologist, who has done research among the Maasai in Tanzania. (And it was her dad’s book that introduced me to intercultural hermeneutics!) Dinner was lively. The anthropologist and I were deep into conversation we found invigorating but probably few others would. On the other end of the table, it sounded like our feminist post-doc researcher was posing some challenging questions to the Maasai male elders. It became animated in a good way with laughter and stories, but I’m not sure our feminist was hearing what she hoped to hear.
So, a good day with more seminar all day tomorrow.
With blessings,
Beth
Please do greet Pr. Justo. Our prayers are with you and for you all.