There’s a common saying here: T.I.A. (This is Africa). It’s the go-to quote when anything crazy or unexpected happens. It’s also common to hear when things are just miserable. “Oh, there’s a chicken beside you on the bus?” T.I.A. “Your ride is four hours late?” T.I.A. It somehow makes the situation better by reminding you that life happens, and there’s not much you can do about it.
It’s hard to believe that we have less than one week left in Africa. Time is flying by faster and faster by the month. Auburn’s spring break was last week. Crazy! It feels like we were just celebrating Christmas in Turkey. What’s even crazier is that we only have three months left. Our time in Africa has been amazing. Africa has taken me to the highest spiritual and emotional state of the race, as well as the lowest. It’s been a rollercoaster, but I know I’m not leaving the same.
I’ve had a dream to come to Africa for years, so it’s strange that this dream has now become a reality. I feel like I’ve learned a lot about Africa, so I’d love to share some tid-bits of info in case you ever find yourself on this crazy continent.
1. Travel is insane. You can take a big bus, a small bus, a taxi, or a motorcycle. The best advice I can give after boarding your preferred mode of transportation is to close your eyes, especially if you have high blood pressure. It’s better that way.
2. You will get lots of attention for being a mzungu (white person). If someone is selling something, they will not stop following you. Children often cry and hide if they’re not used to seeing white people.
3. 98.3 percent of Africans are born with the ability to harmonize. I love hearing them sing.
4. You might as well throw your watch away. Time is very relative. If someone is supposed to meet you at 1:00, expect them to roll in around 4:00.
5. Mosquitoes are demons sent by Satan to torment poor innocent souls. They are immune to bug spray and dryer sheets. They buzz in your ears at night, which is more annoying than if they were to actually bite you and get it over with. When they do bite, they choose to bite you in strange places…like the tip of your finger, cheek, or the bottom of your foot.
6. Price is also something that’s very relative. You can usually negotiate prices greatly. Unfortunately, my Frosted Flakes were at a grocery store that had marked prices.
7. Children have far less supervision here. It’s not uncommon to see a baby wandering around alone.
8. The fruit here is absolutely incredible. I’m now obsessed with mango.
9. You will most likely get sick. Accept it and move on.
10. Africans are very generous. If you are the guest at someone’s home, you will be served milky tea or juice until your stomach explodes.
Captivating, huh?
