Today was my last day at the orphanage. It was incredibly hard saying goodbye to all the kids, and there were hugs and kisses all around. I am sorely in need of a shower. My feet are perpetually stained red from the dust. I don't think that I've ever been so filthy in my life, but I almost don't care. As I was washing my umpteenth barrel of dishes today, I spilled water on my feet and stepped into the mud. I just looked down at my feet and kept going. It's amazing how easily you adjust to different conditions. Life just moves slower in Africa. The guides on Kilimanjaro (well, everyone) says "pole pole" which means slowly slowly, and everything really goes at that pace.
For the first time in my life, I'm waking up at dawn and going to sleep when it gets dark out. The little things don't seem to faze me anymore, though. Once again, our lodgings for tonight have been rearranged, and in the past it would really have concerned me not to know where I'm sleeping, or how I'm going to make my five-hour journey to the airport. But, as Jimmy Carter says, "Hakuna Matata" (no worries) and it's really true. I'm sure that when I head back to the US on my flight tomorrow evening I'll slowly get back into my usual, cranky, edgy self--but at least for one more day, I'll continue without worries, and move very "pole pole."
Very good posting. I just love it.
Good work. :)
Posted by: Nick Matyas | January 09, 2010 at 03:44 PM