This Is Africa, the good the bad and the straight up entertaining. You may order 4 “large” busses for travel day, do not expect anything more than 2 or 3 tiny vans. When you find a cab do not expect it to have gas in it, always be ready to go to a gas station and when they put barely a dollar in the tank, do not worry this is normal. Expect to run out of gas or break down at least a few times. Anytime you get into a vehicle and think you are stuffed to full capacity, there is room for at least 10 more.
Be prepared to be dirty ALL the time. Your skin will always have a layer of dirt and sweat on it, your feet will be black, your nails will have dirt in them no matter how hard you try to clean them. You will shower with a bucket and although you may be semi clean for a brief moment you will probably be putting on dirty clothes. When you hand wash your clothes, they never really get clean, but hey you tried! When you go to the bathroom in the squatty potty just look up and enjoy the scenery. Don’t expect to find soap, it is a luxury item for sure! When you run out of hand sanitizer just try not to think about it. If you think there is nowhere else a mosquito could possibly bite you, trust me they will find a spot! If you see a camel spider crawling around don’t worry they may be massive but they are not poisonous plus it is kind of fun watching them attack the ginormous beetles.
When you walk down the street and someone shouts “Muzungu” (White person) just smile and wave politely. Also when you walk down the street and you immediately have an entourage of kids following you and fighting for your hand embrace it no matter how dirty or sticky their little hands may be! When they continue to hold your hand and walk with you for a long time, don’t worry they will turn around…eventually. Don’t be surprised when little kids say to you “Muzungu give me money” or ask you for your water bottle (they LOVE bottles). When you’re asked if they can buy you as their wife, don’t be surprised or insulted this is acceptable in their culture. When everyone you meet or walk by wants to meet you and shake your hands, take the time to greet them you have no idea how much it means to them.
When something is supposed to start or arrive at a certain time add at least four hours to that time (we call this Africa time) and enjoy some down time while you wait. When people walk uncomfortably slow don’t rush to pass them just enjoy the view. When events last 6 times as long as they would in the states try and soak up the time spent together. Embrace the culture for what it is, it truly is beautiful! The more I think about all of the “quirks” of Africa the more I laugh and realize how much I am going to miss it here. It truly is an incredible culture made up of wonderful people!
