Unfortunately the computer I am using today refuses to acknowledge my flash drive. This is unfortunate because I brought some good pictures I wanted to post. They will have to wait until next time.
So the school year is underway. So far it's going well and it has been an easy transition back into things. I have a slightly heavier load than last year, but I don't mind. Teaching seems a lot easier than it did before I think largely because I'm more comfortable in the classroom. It's been great to see the other teachers. I get along well with all of them and have become quite close with a few. In short, as odd as it may sound, I now feel quite settled into a normal, comfortable life. As much fun as I had during the break, I'm glad to be back into it. I can't believe how quickly my time here is winding down. I only have ten more months! I guess some people at home may think that sounds like a long time, but I can't believe how soon it will be over. Oh well, I'm just going to make the most of it and I think I can help my students do well on their exams. Time will tell.
So my life's back in routine, but here's some rather unusual information I've come across lately. You may or may not know that hippos can be quite dangerous. In fact there are many areas of this country that have a bit of a hippo problem. My buddy and fellow PCV Patrick who's over on Lake Victoria not too far from my old place lives in a small remote village right on the lake. They've had a few people killed by hippos apparently. This kind of thing isn't too uncommon. Because of this, sometimes the villagers may decide a hippo is too dangerous and must be killed. As you may imagine it's not exactly easy to kill a hippo. Now, however, I have finally learned the common method for killing a hippo, but it is only real effective if the hippo is in a fairly small pond. If you have problems with lake hippos, I don't think it would work. Sorry, Patrick.
This method takes at least two guys. One has a gun and the other has a very large stick, almost like a log. This method is very dangerous for the guy with the stick. The guy with the stick goes up to the edge of the pond and begins to stir up the water. Apparently this annoys the hippo and it will walk out of the water. Of course if the hippo walks out toward the guy with the stick, it's bad news. Anyway, once the hippo is out of the water they guy with the rifle shoots it. Hippos, though, are quite large, and one bullet seldom does the job. Irritated by the bullet, the hippo will return to the water and the process much begin again. Sometimes it can take half a dozen shots or more to finally bring the hippo down. There are no hippos around here, so I haven't seen it firsthand, but I wanted my faithful readers to know how to protect their loved ones from a dangerous hippopotomus.
That's all for now, hopefully next week there will be pictures.
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3 comments:
Recalling your difficult in dispatching a turkey, I'm glad you won't be trying to kill any hippos.
Looking forward to pictures, finally.
Love,
Baba
Pictures would be excellent. I always enjoy your blog.
Dana (Jen's Mama)
Andrew update: Margaret and I talked with him yesterday (Sunday, Feb. 11), and he's doing well. He had just finished an excellent meal with some fellow teachers of fresh fish, ugali and tomato sauce. He reports that papaya is plentiful, plums are still available and even apples are now in the markets, although they tend to be small and sour. He's lost a filling and will try to arrange a visit to a dentist in Dar later this week. That will probably require three days: one to get there, one for the appointment, and one to get back. Maybe he'll be able to get online and post those pictures when he's in the city.
His mail delivery suddenly has improved. For a long time, he was receiving fewer than half the letters sent. Last week, a bunch arrived. He welcomes mail. He's had to remove his mailing address from the blog, but if you'd like it please email me at DougClark55@gmail.com and I'll send it to you.
Doug Clark
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