I hope Santa wore shorts because it was a very balmy Christmas Eve in Moshi. Balmy and dark. In true Tanzanian fashion, the power went out during Christmas Eve service. As I looked out into the pews of St. Margaret’s Anglican church, the congregation was awash in the glow of cellphones. We sang “Silent Night” by the improvised light from these handy devices in languages represented by the attendants: Swahili, French, German, Kikuyu, and English. I don’t think I’ve ever attended a Christmas Eve service without power and buzzing with thirsty mosquitoes. We all agreed afterwards, it was an unforgettable event.
Christmas dinner included imported Kenyan turkey, sweet potatoes and local green beans. 
For those who feared Santa would not find us this year, his GPS system works just fine. There was no Maasai knife, (Santa has the same sensibilities as the pediatrician parent) but the next best thing for Anders:
And like almost all twelve year-old girls, Lena was quite happy with her new clothes:
Posted by Luisa on December 31, 2009 at 8:16 am
Hi Lena,
I have the exact same T-shirt as you.
Happy new year !
I miss you !
Luisa
Posted by diane on January 2, 2010 at 8:27 am
HI Luisa, It’s cool we have the same shirt. I hope we get to see each other soon!
Lena
Posted by Dan Gregersen on December 29, 2009 at 4:22 am
Hi folks .
Wish you a happy New year.
Did you receive my mails (4) to your mail box: dgbowe@yahoo.com dated 21 Dec 2009 ?
All the best to all of you from all of us .i.e. Elisabeth ,Anne ,Rune ,Lis and Dan.
PS: Just finished an article in NaT Geo dec issue featruring the Hadza people, Hunter/gatherers living near Lake Eysia ,Great Rift Valley Tanzania .Very interesting indeed.
Seems to be the local Hamish people !
Posted by diane on January 2, 2010 at 8:28 am
We did get your annual letter, thank you. And, we visited the Hadza people this week…keep reading!
Posted by Emily on December 26, 2009 at 11:34 am
Merry Christmas, Bowes and Gregersons! We were just marveling with Joel and Sylvia that is has been 5 months already. Hope we can talk soon!
Posted by diane on January 2, 2010 at 8:29 am
We got Joel’s text messages on Christmas
Miss you guys.
Posted by Ryan Carey on December 26, 2009 at 2:16 am
Glad to see St. Nick made it! No Maasai knife for Anders…? Wassa boy to do?
Posted by diane on January 2, 2010 at 8:29 am
Oh, he got better. Stay tuned.