Underwhelmed

This morning on the village bus, squashed between a woman with a chicken in her purse and a 20-something man wearing a black jean jacket with gold-lamee tassles cascading in all directions, I realized something...I do NOT fit in here. This epiphany can only mean 1 of 2 things. First, my skin is now so thick I don't register lingering stares or the piercing sobs of children literally terrified I will chop their heads off. Or second, I'm an idiot and it's taken me 20 months to realize that I'm a white girl living in a village. Feel free to place your bets, but I'm siding with Option 1 for ego's sake.

Since getting back to the village after 3.5 glorious weeks in America (and a less glorious 9lb weight gain), I have felt, well, under stimulated. Village life is boring! A full day consists of making coffee, playing with children, buying tomatoes, cooking a meal, reading, and maybe a walk if it's not torrentially raining. My projects are all in an in-between phase now so beyond a quick phone call or 20 minute meeting, I've got absolutely nothing to do. I can't decide whether this pace is ideal and I'm too high strung to appreciate it, or if this pace is a type of torture designed to make me go insane day-by-day.

On a positive note, the chickens have started laying eggs! Only about 4 are laying each day but this number will continue to increase over the next few weeks. Thursday I held a meeting with the teachers to discuss the details of the money and how to make the project transparent (AKA-the principal will not be getting his sticky fingers anywhere near the loot). The toilets, while completed last year, finally had doors installed last week. As for batik, I was able to sell 15 batiks in America! Thanks to everyone who supported the awesome women in my Mama's group. We will begin making village oriented fabric next week.

It's safe to say, I'm in the home stretch. I have 6 full months of service left until I can finally pat myself on the back. I will not be continuing my Peace Corps service. I can only take so many surprises-the latest, bed bugs. UGH. I'm beginning to consider my options for work in Tanzania. I simply refuse to return to America and waitress indefinitely when I could be getting great experience in the development field here. For the sake of my mom's well-being, however, if anyone hears of jobs stateside, let me know! :) My only requirement is living in a city that has at least part-time electricity.

Nothing else to report for now. Love to everyone.

PS-Leave a comment! I change the settings so anyone can. Trust me, you will make my day. xo