One is the Lonliest Number...

Ok...here goes some attempt at framing the last, and without question, the hardest week of my entire life.

I was hoping by the time I got to a computer this story would be funny, but I'm not exactly laughing yet. I'm getting ahead of myself though, let's start at the beginning.

Our swearing-in ceremony was fantastic, if not a little yawn-worthy. I was actually given the privilege of writing a speech with another girl in my class and giving it in Swahili at the ceremony. It was taped so I'll put it on my blog when I can. :) Oh and in case you had any doubt, I looked absolutely fabulous in my yellow,orange,brown checkerprint skirt, shirt, and headwrap. Not as fab as Mama though, naturally. That woman just rocks it night and day. She even bought some new hair for the occassion. (Side note: Sometimes I don't recognize women that I actually have met several times because they're always changing their wigs!!)

Fast forward to that night...VICTORY PARTY. We made it. There was dancing, drinking, and all-around merrymaking. I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't dancing on the bed of a pickup truck at one point in the evening. End scene.

Next morning, at 6am we set off in a little coasta (van/bus type thing). There were 10 PCVs and about 14,000 suitcases. Dozing, reststops, and anticipation, yada yada. We finally arrive in Njombe town at a little after 8pm. Projected ETA? 4PM. The next morning we frantically raced around the market buying buckets, pasta (about all I eat), and random other must-have items.


I arrived at my lovely village, Mhaji (Moo-hah-ji) at around 4 and put all of my bags in my completely empty house. I'm talking zip, zero, nada empty. Oh unless we're counting spiders. Then I have the most furnished house in the world. I threw my foam mattress on the floor in one room and spread a sheet on the floor of my 'living room.' No prob whatever, moving on.

Day 2 was exhausting and busy and full of mind bogglingly fast Kiswahili speakers. Fine okay, good. Go to bed. Finally, time to escape and store up energy to try it all again the next day. Around 1:30am. I awake to a strange noise. I ignore it but it doesn't stop and it's so close to me. I fumble for my glasses and flashlight.

OH MY GOD. Really. OH MY GODDDD. A rat was crawling around my head. The F word, completely applicable here will be used freely. THERE WAS A FUCKING RAT CRAWLING AT MY HEAD. AHHHH

I went through every step of grief. Denial (lasted 2.2 seconds), Anger (about 12 seconds), Pain/Fear/Misery (7 hours). Let's just say the floodgates finally opened. I cried the type of cry where you are choking, screaming, cursing your very existence, why me, why me? There was so much snot pouring out of my nose that I started blowing it on the sleeve, neck, bottom of my shirt. I was a picture perfect mess. Major shout out to my family, and PCV Jess who calmed me down throughout the night. I sat on the cement floor with no blankets (not love or money would take me back in that bedroom). It was a pity party to end all pity parties. The next day...I got a cat. Well, more truthfully, I rented one til my lil kitten is strong enough!

Shoot, I only have 10 minutes left. Life has been progressing slowly since The Night of the Rat. I have been visiting around the village, trying (very poorly) to cook, bathing (verrrry occasionally) and even gardening a bit! As for the whole vanity thing...I'd say it's gone out the window. I was kindly told today I'm wearing myshirt inside out...the same shirt I was also wearing yesterday. I think I may be starting to embrace this smelly new identity with a bit too much fervor.

OK SHOOT. The rest of my blog was deleted and this was all I could salvage. Stupid internet cafe. I literally have minutes to finish so I will send you this plea: CALL ME.

And...write me

Kate Glantz, Peace Corps Volunteer
P.O. Box 749
Njombe
Iringa Region
Tanzania

Don't worry too much about me though. I love and believe so much in the reason that I'm here that I'm not ready to let some pesky rodents kick me out just yet.

Alright I am off. On a final note this weekend I am embarking on a home improvement project. I'm going to paint the inside of the house. Mwaha, what a fabulous little disaster that will be.

Finallllly...in this tragic comedy of a life I am living, much of the humor comes from my wonderful family and friends. I relish in your comments, letters, and texts. I could use some more calls tho! You are all amazing, and I couldn't do this without knowing somewhere you're all out there.


Love you. Miss you. And wear your heels loud and proud girlies.

Katie