Geoff and I checkin' out the view (Tanzania) from the mountain top.
Alrighty, this week has flown by! Last weekend we went on a trip to Rakai to visit a community center (check out the Kibaale Community Center online!) --It took us six(ish) hours on the bus to get there. We did stop at the equator though which was pretty cool. Once we arrived it was a complete relief to know that we were going to spend the next couple of days in a rural area as opposed to a metropolitan one in Mukono. It was so relaxing and beautiful! Oh, we also played the most epic game of Spoons (well, bottle caps) that I have ever played--no joke; people left bleeding.
Geoff and I being silly on the bus.
Our 'we made it up the mountain' faces!
I'm pretty sure that this was not considered an appropriate, lady-like activity, but we did it anyways...
The gang.
. . .
We have been flooded with a ton of cross-cultural information and have learned even more from first hand experiences with our families, communities, etc. But my favorite lesson so far has been the gesture of just being present with one another. At first, there was a lot of awkward "nothing" time with our families, but those moments seem so precious now because as the African saying goes "presence is the debt we owe to each other." The other day for instance, Mama and I had tea alone (oh! Africans take tea-time very seriously around here! ha. Once before lunch and once before dinner) and we just laughed about nothing and everything. It was absolutely ridiculous but awesome... I can't even begin to explain what our connection is like through a blog. She--along with everyone else in my family--has such a kind and genuine spirit.
William - Mom, Dad, found my husband in Africa. Gettin' hitched next week...
...ha, joke. ;)
Up next! Part one of "Muzungu vs. Mutatu: A Retelling of Near Death Experiences on the Road"
...Coming soon!!
"presence is the debt we owe to each other."
ReplyDeleteAmazing.