Day 7

Habari

I can't believe I have been here for 1 week already. It is going fast. I was really excited for the weekend that is for sure. I started teaching on Tuesday and taught until Friday. I must say it is quite exhausting. Fun, challenging yet at the end of my day of teaching, which is only 3 hours, mind you, I am DONE.

I really am loving staying in Bagamoyo and it is exactly what I was looking for, as far as a third world city/town goes. In every sense of the word, it is 3rd world. It is like what you read and see in National Geographic, being that I grew up reading it. And no, I am not talking about the nudie pictures either- ha ha. As I walk through the many villages within the city I am pleasantly amazed at the rawness of their living. The houses are made of mud and sticks and are sometimes adorned with a beautiful, Arabic style door and or window. The windows are carved out in the shape of, a window, square and sometimes they have a few bars in them, but that is rare. Many times the front porch has an outdoor area for sitting and hanging out or for eating. These areas are made of sticks that are placed about 8 inches apart so you can see everything that goes on inside them. Many times the children are just sitting with their mothers or relatives either eating, playing or the women are cooking or doing wash or just hanging out.

It is such a trip, although I have been to a few places that are similar in environments, like Dominican Republic, it is still mind blowing to be exposed to such a raw, rough, dirty, dusty, poverty stricken environment. What amazes me even more is that the people are HAPPY and smiling. Of course they are because they haven't experienced anything but this lifestyle. It makes me reflect on how simple their lives are and how LITTLE they need to survive and enjoy their lives to the fullest. In the USA and many other countries we are so fortunate and spoiled, really. The word excessive comes to mind a lot. Don't get me wrong, I love my life and am very grateful for everything I have created and am able to have, yet being exposed to such raw simplicity brings me closer to earth, more grounded and I think to myself how much I can do without. Let's not get crazy here though. I know what I can and CANNOT live without. That is an entire other blog story ;)


I am loving learning being immersed withing the culture on such an intimate level. I literally walk out my door and I see women in their beautiful dress, the tonga's, wraps and barefoot carrying their child tied to their backs with another tonga. I am so inspired by the womens' dress. They wear a tongas or scarf around their heads, a lot of the time, with a different colorful patterned tanga wraped around their waist and either have a shirt or wrap, as well. The village women and children wear more of the traditional dress and are barefoot. Almost everyone is barefoot. Many of the younger girls where partial traditional and western. It is interesting to see how the western fashions influence the younger teen boys and girls.

I'm super inspired by the many gorgeous, vibrant patterned tongas that all the women wear and I also notice them hanging from house to house because EVERYONE hand washes all of their clothing and materials. Even me:) I can't wait to go on a mission to buy as many tongas as I possible can. I especially love how the women wear the scarves around their heads. They do this to keep the heat out and for carrying everything from an almost full sparklett's bottle to a basket of fruit and vegetables and at times they even carry a bundle of wood. I will try this one day. My friend actaully saw a woman carrying a half full Sparklett's bottle on her hand as she reched down and swooped up her little boy. All in one movement. Talk about impressive and multi-tasking at it's finest. Could you imagine me doing that...I am the clutsiest person ever. It was funny one day I was at the group of stores teaching my students and I moved and knocked over an entire shelfe of hand carved animals...i started to laugh with pure embarrassment, while they waved their hands expressing to me that it was 'not a problem', and I said 'I am such a clutz.." they didn't get it but now they know.

Everyday I fall in love with the children. Their bright, dazzling smiles as they all come running up to me and hug me or just stand by on the side, if they are more shy, makes me melt. So precious. One day we were dropping off one of the girls at her placement at the orphanage and as soon as they opened the door to the car the little 3 to 5 year old babie dolls climbed into the car, without any hesitation, and just climbed right inot my lap or sat as close as they possibly coud right next to me and reached for my hand... OMG I was in heaven. There is something to say about their curiosity and sweet hearts. I find myself wanting to spread the love to as many as I can.

I have also noticed, as soon as I arrived here, how the women carry themselves and walk around with such pride and dignity with the straightest posture. I find most of the women are truly so lovely in their own way. I find that if you look them in the eye and smile or greet them with respect, they then share that feeling and send you a warm smile. others just look at you and i wonder what they are thinking "what the hell are you looking at me for, or why are you here?"

The men, as in anywhere are more open and friendly - of course they are :) I find the elder villagers are more quietly and just look at you as you pass by. To my surprise some of them look at me then ever so slowly, their lips curl into a bright smile. African men...hmmm did
I already say this... they are more times than not, beautiful - stunningly so. Some men graciously look and turn away and others are a little more aggressive. I can feel right away if my space feels invaded, in or good or bad way. I find with the men, women, girls and children they are so friendly and just want to talk to you and get to know you. The younger ones are less shy and approach you. |Many of the girls and ladies are shy to approach me, yet as soon as I greet them they warm up to me. Although they still don't approach me. I will practice getting to know them because they have such a mysterious, inquisitive vibe about them.

Today I will walk around for a few hours exploring the various villages, shops and people. I have to be wary of some areas though, as they are not safe to even walk around in the day. And since I am dying to get around and take pictures, I have to be even more careful since I won't be paying as much attention. I can barely walk and talk at the same time, let alone take pictures and watch where I am wandering too AND have a sense of direction. ha ha - say it isn't so.


One love, Heidi