Mzungu

Mzungu! Mzungu! Mambo! Mzungu! Walking down the streets of Bagamoyo this is what we hear day in and day out! Now if you weren't familiar with the language you might start to think this was some sort of greeting to visitors, and well you would be half right. Literally translated, mzungu means white person. And yes people, mostly children, yell this at you while you are walking down the street, shopping in the market, or really anytime they see you. This generally is accompanied by smiles and waves and a Mambo (hey/hello) but sometimes its just yelled to get your attention. Some days when we are feeling especially ornery, we look all around and yell "wapi" which means "where where". This is very confusing to the kids but usually they just get closer and point more feverishly at you. All and all its not so bad.

So I am not sure how many of you have traveled to places that require malaria meds but we certainly were not told about the crazy weird dreams that go along with taking this drug. I mean super crazy dreams every night that make absolutely no sense what so ever. The best that I have heard by far is for a girl here. She dreamed that she was running through what looked like star wars (like she was yoda) and had gary coleman on her back. Now here is the really really weird thing. This was days before he died. honestly we think she might be able to see the future.

Madme Rachel! Seriously, she should have a blog all to her self but in the interest of time I will try to some up her most famous characteristics. She is the mentor teacher at my school and she makes dr jeckle and hyde look like best friends. Today she cried when another volunteer left and made sad references to him all day. however usually she spends her free time hitting kids for asking questions. Yeah I think I have been avoiding talking about the punishment here but its really really hard to watch. Corporal punishment is not widely used but is absolutely present at my school. Feeling helpless is the worst but a smile and a hug seems to go a long way. so madme rachel really really likes to get her picture taken. Since I have been here she has asked me to bring the camera in at least three times. She poses and asks to borrow my sunglasses for her shots. Honestly its hard to describe, but wait for the pictures and you will see her in action.

Speaking of pictures....we are going to do our best to try and upload some this weekend. well if we have electricity and if the internet works and if jackie shows up to open the shop. Lots of ifs but we will try.
Sisi anapena! (we love you!)