sticky and sleepy.

Let me tell you, this doggone heat is draining to one’s person. Tomorrow we embark on a four-month adventure called language school. I am feeling freer now that I’m mostly packed. But I also feel quite tired. Imagine that! So who knows how long this post will be…

The beginning of the week found us babysitting for the Ellis’s overnight, and then… Hopping into a taxi that arrived for us and traveling to the Slipway (where the boats come in to be repaired and also where the tourist hang out). Upon our arrival, I fell in love with shopping the Tanzania way. The women at the Slipway have their little plots of shop and they all love you and want your business. The first lady, Mary I think, was one of my favorites. She kept calling me ‘my friend’. She was great. I feel kind of bad for not buying anything from her.

Shopping here we barter and buy lots of beautiful things. I was overwhelmed with the abundance of it all. I spent most all of the cash I had with me. And got great goodies like a purse, a dress, and some beaded sandals. What a great day. Then to lunch. Also quite great. And off to the hotel where Amy and Rob were staying.

We dressed in our swimwear and headed down to the pool and enjoyed our little selves. As we played, swam, and soaked up the sunshine amongst the palms, it occurred to me that this is the kind of place that people go to on tropical vacations. And we’re at it. God, how are we so blessed?!

One interesting observation I’ve had in the last couple weeks: the closer we get to the equator, the longer the skirts get. Shouldn’t it be the other way around? I think so. It’s stinkin’ hot.

Yesterday, we taxied to the mall. And among the shops we went to, my favorite was Mr. Price. Poor Amy was with me as I perused the clothes. I was in ooh and ah mode. ‘Oh! This is cute!’ ‘Ooh, that’s really cute!’ They had great clothes, especially little dresses. But when I went to finally try one on, I made a shocking and somewhat funny discovery: the elastic waist wasn’t quite big enough for me and resulted in a gaping hole in my tummy. I didn’t buy it.

After we sat in Dar traffic, got back, and baked a cake, we went to dinner at Pastor George’s. The Ellis’s pastor and Swahili tutor. We walked. Heat, humidity, and a million layers on for modesty sake, and I was a sweaty mess. And it wasn’t just a small stroll to his house. It was a WALK.  

Pastor George and his family were so kind and hospitable. And when we walked back, it was dark and Friday night. It’s as if people had come out of the woodwork (or claywork in this case). The night was alive and full of sights and sounds and lots of people. And there walked a group of ten whities among all the locals. Ha! We didn’t stick out at all. J Note: nighttime doesn’t cover up your skin tone in case you were wondering. The people were selling fruit and things, and a lot of the street vendors used little flames as their lights. There were lots of new and exciting sights to see, and it was nice to do in the somewhat cooler evening.

Today, I finally did it. I said I was going to at some point. And since today was my last day here, I had no choice: I tried the squatty potty. When I first heard the words squatty potty, I just thought it was a small toilet. But I found out a little later, it wasn’t. It looks kind of like a sink with a hole in it. In the ground. It’s like a sophisticated kind of toilet that you use backpacking, except it’s indoors. I was scared. And it stunk (literally). But I did it. And survived. It really wasn’t that bad. But it wasn’t quite as relaxing as normal toilets…

Things seem to taste better when eaten here. I’m not sure if it’s the ingredients, the cooks, or just that it’s Africa. Maybe it’s all three J  It’s been such a blessing to spend time with Tricia and Amy. Cooking and making messes in the kitchen. Shopping. Watching shows. I feel quite honored to be part of their circle despite the fact they’re married, in their thirties, and both have kiddos. They’re both joy and fun to be around!

As we head out to Rivervalley tomorrow, we head into the unknown. Life is full of unknowns, and tomorrow and the next four months especially. The kiddos and I will start homeschooling next week. I am truly excited, and a little nervous. I’ve never done this. But there’s a first time for everything, right? God is sure to teach us lots these next few months. Now the key is to be teachable. Lord give us grace!