Mzungu in Africa

There is a simple hand-washing ritual that is done before any Tanzanian meal. Doesn't matter whether you're sitting down for a formal dinner, or whether it's 4:30 am and you're ordering chipsi na kuku(chicken & chips) at the "fast food" place after a night on the town. It's the same every time: someone brings a basin and pitcher and pours water over your hands til they're clean... and then you can eat.

I have to remove myself from the present moment and look at myself from above to realise that all this is happening. After once or twice, the hand-washing was already natural. It's bizzare how easily you can forget that you are in Africa, riding a jam-packed dala dala  with music blaring; or how easy it is to forget that you're at the market, with the thick, pungent smell of sweat, garbage, and fried food filling your nose; or that you're at the beach watching little kids running around, splashing in the water, giggling and chanting in swahili. You quickly become absorbed in- and a part of- what you're living.

Today it's extremely hot, so I'm living the pole-pole life (slow). But though I am taking it easy, time is going by very fast, and all the while I am having to constantly remind myself that I'm in Tanzania. Soon, I'll be back with you all, and this episode of my life will be remembered as a dream.
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Anecdotes:

1. The other night at Boona Baana, Beatrice, Maria(dadas=housemothers) Thekla(German volunteer) and the kids were doing weights in the back yard! I can't wait to post pictures of this. They have a bar with two cement blocks at the end and I attempted to show them how to do a power clean... it was HILARIOUS. A few of the kids caught on, as did Thekla... great fun.

2. Here, I am known as Mzungu, which I guess means white person. At the market, I obviously often get Mzungu prices, and I also get waved to and pointed at alot.  I suppose I will get used to it.

3. I will post some photos, but I often hesitate to take my camera out, for two reasons. First, I don't want to be too invasive at Boona Baana. And second, when I'm out and about, I don't want to be singled out by thieves. Yesterday, I caught a guy stealing from Thekla at the market place,so I smacked his arm and yelled "HEY," and he ran off... empty handed! :)


CHECK MY Facebook PICTURES! There aren't many because I got a virus on my camera, but there are a few goodies.