Written on July 19:
So, this past week, every morning I woke up, quietly gathered my belongings and tried my best not to wake any of the 12 others I live with. Then I headed out the front gate, made my way through Mkimbzi Village, walked down the dusty, dirt, rocky roads about 15 minutes to reach the main paved road. There, I crossed the street and waited patiently for a city "bus". (A.K.A. 12 passenger van that looks like it's going to crumble to the ground at any moment!) Typically, I let one or two pass by because it's too full for this American. Eventually, I find a seat close to the door, hop in, hold on, and say some prayers. The ride is anywhere from 20-40 minutes depending on how slow we go over the large speed bumps (every kilometer) and how many times we stop. Along the way as the van stops to pick up others, I try to keep myself distracted by keeping a running count of how many people there are. Each time I am amazed, it never fails. Just when I think there is NO possible way anyone else could fit, we slow down and 2 more grown men shove themselves in… that makes 29 people in a 12 passenger van! TYPICAL- very, in Africa. Did I mention I am recovering claustrophobic?
If living with 12 others in a small house of cement walls and no ceiling doesn't violate/strip all your rights to personal space, this daily adventure certainly will! All this excitement for only 250 Tanzania shillings which is about .16 cents!
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Thankfully, at the end of the day it's all worth the troubles because I am blessed to hop out of the van and walk up this hill to these precious little ones eagerly awaiting my arrival. As soon as they see me each night they start screaming and jumping and doing cartwheels.
