2 More Weeks

Hello! Today is market day in Tengeru, so getting to the internet place is a mix of "Mzungu!" yelling and hellos of venders trying to get your attention, plus winding among them because it is mostly just tarps with merchandise on them and many many people. Madness! And it has been raining a lot here (wow the power just surged or something - that was weird) so it is super muddy. The craziest part of the market though, I think, are the women who navigate that all with some crazy thing balanced on their heads - like a big sack of rice or a bucket or water or even a bunch of bananas! I can't even do it with nothing - it is like no matter how long I am here, seeing people walking with things balanced on their heads is endlessly fascinating. I'm trying to learn, but I'm not sure I have the balance. And I'm sure I'll never be able to walk with a bunch of long corn staulks on my head as they do - simply beautiful.

So I officially changed placement and I start teaching on Monday, taking over my friend Sarah's class because she goes home today. I wish I could explain in words how great this school is - Michelle (who is also taking over a class) and I went with Sarah and Daniel (another volunteer here also leaving today) on Friday because Sarah wanted me to video tape. On Friday's they have a religious service for the first hour and half, then just sing and dance basically for the rest of the school day - no class. Just all of the students together singing. We didn't go to the service because it is all in Swahili, but danced and sang at the end (while the students laughed at us trying to do it right). Then after the break it was basically and hour and a half goodbye ceremony to Sarah and Daniel. It was so touching. They have been teaching there for only 3 weeks and yet everyone was sad to be saying goodbye. The students are so caring and so eager to learn - they just want to get all that they can from us while we are there. It was so much fun and just an amazing thing to be a part of. And it was great because Sarah introduced me to them on Wednesday and they are excited for me to take over her class. The students all asked where I was on Thursday (because I did my last day at St. Lucia) - so cute. Anyway, I know it will be hard, but I'm very excited to teach as best I can.

My last day at St. Lucia was nice - super boring, but nice. We spent the first 2 hours with the older kids, then laundry when they left for school. But the new child we have, Hilda, I'm not sure I mentioned before. She is the cutest thing ever - and the only kid I have comfortably interacted with. She is 4 years old, but is barely the size of a 2 year old. But she walks and talks like a kid her age. She is completely cross-eyed, which is sad and yet endearing at the same time. And she has quite the attitude on her - I'm guessing she's had a rough time and has had to defend herself, but it is funny now with the other kids - they are twice her size yet she'll just walk up and push them, then just stand there staring at them. And on Thursday while Garrett and I were doing laundry, there was a bucket with a cloth soaking in water in it. She walked over, got a handful of detergent, put it in the water, and started scrubbing the cloth in her hands (after pushing up her sleeves of course) and wringing out the water. It was amazing. She could have taught us how to wash the clothes by hand - makes you really wonder what her first 4 years have been like. I'm guessing she is positive, based on her size (plus malnutrition), but they haven't tested her yet. So cute - she made me almost want to stay at St. Lucia.

The hardest part of being here is feeling so up and down all the time - torn between wanting to go home and not being ready to leave. I'm tired and getting sick of certain things, yet I know that when I get home I'm going to be sad I left. Just need to make the most of my final 2 weeks. My safari plans fell through and I no longer get to go to the Serengeti - very sad, but I'm trying to let it go. Just means I have to come back to this beautiful country - I hope you all get a chance to come here - I even know of hotels to stay in! I'll help you plan - you have to come here. It is simply beautiful and I'm already excited for my next trip here. Instead of the 4 day Serengeti, I think I'm going on a camel safari in the Arusha National Park - you can do 3 days for much much cheaper and see almost all the same animals - plus you get to ride a camel!!! Hah. Here's hoping it works out cuz I can't leave here without seeing animals!

Well my time is almost up and the power seems a bit unstable today, so I'll leave it at that for now. Going to Pete O'Neal's birthday party tonight, so I'm very excited about that - should be quite the party. Plus we get to stay there again which means a night away from the home base - just as exciting. And I'm staying safe - no more cars!