With one week left here in Tanzania, Kaetlyn and I have begun the pre-packing process. It is really hard to believe that at this time next week we’ll be air-bound for home. We’re flying into Dubai, United Arab Emirates at 2 a.m. on August 1st, and I just got a Middle East and Northern Africa security email about Ramadan, which begins on August 1st. The email reads, “While there is no history of an escalation of attacks by Islamist extremists during Ramadan, heightened security measures should be anticipated in the vicinity of Western diplomatic missions, foreign banks, marketplaces and public buildings as a precautionary measure.” The email says that along with tougher security measures, most stores and public buildings will be closed in observation of Ramadan and advises against eating in public to respect those who are fasting. I’m not worried; I just think it’s neat to acknowledge how seriously Ramadan is practiced in this region considering how ignorant we typically are about this kind of thing in the U.S. Maybe Christmas is comparable in its impact on both public and private daily life, but that’s sadly become more of a commercial than religious holiday in the States. I really admire the discipline and devotion it takes to be a Muslim, with the praying five times a day and fasting for the month of Ramadan and such.
On the wild ferry ride back from Zanzibar yesterday we ran into a young woman who was getting ready to head back to the U.S. in two days after living in Tanzania for two years. She was in the Peace Corps working on health projects relating to HIV/AIDS here. She told us that the first two months were the toughest for her, but now the last thing she wanted to do was go home. For our parents out there who might be reading this right now, don’t worry we are counting down the days to see you. But one day it will probably be a little harder to pull us—well, at least to pull me—away from a place like this. While it’s been an exciting two months (pregnant with adventures and looong bus rides), I think we’re all about ready to go home.
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| Good times at the orphanage |
When we've been playing with the kids at the orphanage last week and swimming with the dolphins yesterday then standing on the bow of the ferry like Rose and Jack today, it occurred to me that I might want to have more of these experiences instead of going to Geneva for my junior year abroad. I can’t help but think how conversant in Swahili I will be by then after completing all of the Swahili levels that the Five College Language Center offers vs. cramming in one year of French and living in Europe for a semester or a year. The United Nations Environmental Program headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya takes interns.
Until then, I think I’ll just bask in the thought of all the potential opportunities that I have to choose from. And go out for dinner at Addis in Dar one final time tonight :)
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