So, as I’ve stated before, I am living with a host family
until the first couple weeks of August. Most of the time I don’t really
communicate much with them because my mama and dadas don’t speak English, and
my Swahili leads a lot to be desired. I did manage to crack a joke when we were
sitting outside thanks to my family-tree assignment. Major accomplishment! Plus,
later on Priska played with my hair, which was fun. I think she wants me to have
it braided…
Anyway, tonight my host brother was hanging out in the
living room and asked me if I had a digital camera. I got out mine and showed
him how to use it. (We aren’t allowed to let people use our belongings, but I
figured it was a good bonding activity to do together. I wouldn’t let him use
it on his own, but it was fun to show him the different settings and stuff.) He
took some pictures of my host sister Jacky eating dinner, and then we all took
different photos of each other. It was really fun!!! I’m a little sad I look
like crap in every photo since I’m make-up-less and have my hair all over the
place, but I guess that’s my norm now! They want me to get a printed copy of a
full-family photo before I leave. They have one from the volunteer who stayed
with them last year. Her name was Rose, but that’s about all I know. After I
showed them some photos from home (I brought hard copies), my host bro and I talked
about gay marriage, Obama, poverty in the US and TZ, if the Free Masons are
devil worshippers/if Jay-Z and Rihanna are Free Masons, and my relationship
status. He asked me if I supported gay marriage, and I said I did, even though
I know I lost major brownie points by admitting that. I don’t mind fibbing
about other things like how religious I am, but it felt wrong to lie about
that. I explained that I personally support it, but that it varies widely in
the US. Talking politics isn’t something we’re encouraged to do in the PC.
Anyway I really enjoyed talking to him. He asked me for my FB name and phone
number, so I guess that makes us official friends in all senses of the word.
OH! The missing house dada has returned and seems to be
well. Not sure where she went, but I assume she was visiting relatives or
something? Also, I was given a large piece of sugarcane today. Tracy and Aly
(from my CBT) went over to my neighbor’s house while we waited for Sam and
Michelle to meet us (my house is on the way to the school), and they gave us
each a hunk. This little three year-old girl was gnawing on one piece and also
wielded a knife pretty well to hack off chunks of it. People are much more
relaxed about childcare here in a number of ways. Often I think the US is too
uptight, but here I do worry sometimes about young kids getting hurt. They seem
to do okay for themselves, though!
Feeling good about getting myself out of home-sick mode.
More info about TZ later! I’ve been meaning to blog about generic cultural stuff,
just never seems to happen.
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