October is almost over and I've finished teaching. The Peer Educator group had their last session with the primary school students. The grant money has been sent off. All that is left is to write my last End of Term report for my work at Chidya Boys' Secondary School and the grant report. But I'm still here for another month. But let's back up to the beginning of the month.

The fleas never came back. But I was still getting bit. During the day. Different types of bites. So I was unlucky enough to have 2 bug infestations at the same time. I set to washing everything washable in hot water and storing them safely in my travel bags. I had written to the Peace Corps medical unit about my fleas and they sent me special cream to use one night only. After everything but the clothes I was wearing had been washed and stowed, I put the cream on my whole body one night. The next day I washed my dirty clothes and bed sheets and sprayed insecticide in my closet and a few other suspected areas. Die bugs, die! It worked! I've been bug free since the first week of the month.

The Peer Eds had their last 2 sessions at the primary school this month and they did great. The first few sessions we did a student or 2 would come out to me and ask a question about the lesson. But now they're pros. We even transitioned out the Form IV students and in 4 new Form I students. They have done a really good job. I'm so proud of the kids and expect them to continue on next year with Geofrey.

The second week saw an end to the month of Ramadhani. We stopped fasting on the 13th of the month-30 full days of fasting. I celebrated first with Kassim and his family. We had huge plates of pilau and I was surprised to find my stomach had plenty of room. Then that evening I ate with Ajili and his father where we discussed the local language, Kiyao. The tribe is called the Yao. The word "Swahili" in Swahili is "Kiswahili" so the language of the Yao is "Kiyao". The language of the Gogo tribe is "Kigogo." The word "Tanzanian" in Swahili is "Mtanzanian," "American" is "Mmarekani" where "Marekani" is "America." So a person from the Yao tribe is called "Miao" (a slight grammatical exception) which is pronounced "meow." I explained what "meow" means in English and they got a good laugh out of that. Again I was surprised my stomach had more than enough room for a generous helping of chipsi mayai.

So it seems after my one month of fasting my appetite has not suffered at all. Whether I'm happy with this or not I'm still not sure...ok, it's good. I love food.

Teaching was just review and our last official day of teaching was the 22nd of the month. As with Form IV we leave them to their own studies the last week unless requested to teach a certain topic. Since I've covered almost every topic twice I doubt they call me in the last 2 days.

A Peace Corps car happened to pass through the region and since this is rare I took the opportunity to have them take most of my stuff up to Dar es Salaam. I was mostly packed from washing all my clothes because of my bug problem. Only school supplies and a few personal items remained. I packed 2 small bags and one really small bag and...my guitar. On the 22nd the car came and took it all away. I remain with few clothes and one backpack. Word got around most of my luggage had been taken away and people started talking about me leaving and that they'll be sad to see me go. "But I still have one month," I keep telling them. But slowly people are starting to realize I don't have much time left here. And so am I. And the last 2 weeks have been a hard balance of feeling I'm ready to go and feeling time is too short.

I have one more full month here and then a few days in December. Then it's home to hopefully see as many of you as possible, meet Anna's family and friends, and get married. So much to leave behind, yet so much to look forward to. Until next month,

Justin