“Fat People Are Hard to Kidnap”

That was the bumper sticker on the semi-truck my bus tried to run off the road… five minutes after it actually DID run a motorcycle off the road.  So, while everyone else was up in arms and yelling at the bus driver about how horribly he was driving, I was laughing my head off knowing that the person who put the sticker where it was had no idea what it meant.  The poor lady next to me thinking she was about to die probably thought I was laughing at her.  Oops.  For better or for worse, there’s never a dull moment when you’re traveling in Tanzania.

I was thankful for that bit of comedic relief as it was near the end of a 14 hour travel day on dusty, uncomfortable buses and I was ready to be settled in at my destination.  I had spent the prior week up north visiting with a couple of good friends and I was headed to Morogoro to spend some time with the homestay family that I lived with when I arrived in Tanzania two years ago.  I had originally planned to just stay for a day and then come back to site but when I arrived, I felt so much love from them that I couldn’t help but extend my stay.  They have told me multiple times over the last couple of years that “This is your home in Tanzania,” but it wasn’t until this visit that I actually believed them.  I knew all of the routines of the house so I slipped seamlessly back into the household and they went about their normal routine just slipping me right back in as well.  I never once felt like a guest and it was absolutely amazing.  It was like socializing with my family in the states.  When there are things to do together, we do them together and when there are things we need to do on our own, we do them on our own.  Never once did I question their love or acceptance of me, even when no one was around, and that was absolutely wonderful.  The only time I had to check myself was when I prepared to eat my ugali (a thick porridge) with my hand like people do in the village and they started eating theirs with their silverware.   This would be the equivalent of me going to a fancy dinner and eating my salad with the soup spoon.  It wouldn't be the end of the world but it would have been a little embarrassing.  Side note: I would NEVER confuse my silverware at a fancy dinner. My grandmother has taught me well.  Anyways, my decision to stay a few extra days allowed me to really visit with everyone and goof around with my kaka (brother) and dada (sister).  When I left, I was both sad and grateful.  Sad that it was probably the last time I would see them but grateful to have been given such a wonderful second family in the first place.

Since then I have been back at my house.  I thought I would continue teaching as my Form 4 girls were required to stay at the school during the semester break but when I got to school ready to teach, I found that the structure I left when I began to travel had fallen to the wayside and everyone was about to start testing.  This meant that there was nothing for me to do at the school so I have been spending time at my house reading books, battling it out with the mice (as usual), and trying to figure out what I’m doing with my life.   Here's the run down:

Things I Know:

-I will be in Mtwara for the 4^th of July

-I have 80 days left until the end of my service

-I will be on a plane leaving from Dar near the beginning of October

-I will be back in Houghton in January

Things I don’t know:

-Where that plane out of Dar will be going

-What I will be doing between Dar and arriving in the states

-Where in the states I will be arriving

-What I will be doing once I arrive in the states

-How I am going to get to Houghton in January

So, logically, I’m going nuts reading about the things I want to do when I finish my Masters degree.  You know, the one I will finish in a YEAR.  I don’t know what I will be doing in 3 months but here I am trying to nail down what I will be doing a year from now.  You can see how this might lead to a little turmoil.  Ok, let's be real... I've been on the verge of a mental breakdown.

So what I decided I need to work on is trusting that it will all work out.  For now I want to just be here in the moment, focusing on spending time with the Tanzanians around me that I love and laughing at the funny things and crazy people I won’t be able to enjoy back in the states. Things like seeing bumper stickers that say “Fat people are hard to kidnap,” and people like the guard outside my house yelling at the goat across the field yesterday:

Goat: Baaaaa

Guard: Baa mwenyewe! (Baa yourself!)

Goat Baaaaa

Guard: Baa mwenyewe!

I think you see where this is going…

I’m excited to get my students back after this break is over.  They are where my heart is right now and I have really missed them these last few weeks.  On those days when I feel like I am banging my head against the wall and wondering why I am here instead of home with my family and friends, they remind me of why with their laughter and bright, smiley faces.  I guess I could use a reminder about now.  If only I could somehow bottle up that beautiful reminder and take it with me when I go.