I have to admit it's taken a bit of adjusting though as i move from one culture to another...
I went to the shops and parked my car, rolling down the window to ask the next egg man i saw to pass me a tray of eggs.. Only there was no one around...Not even fifty people on bicycles riding past! I walked inside to get some bananas and started chatting to one of the ladies in the fruit section. She didn't appreciate the greeting or the proclamations of friendship at all, and walked away when i told her which bundle i wanted...
When i went to check out the next part of the store i saw a white person and yelled out "Uzungu" assuming it must have been someone i knew.
It wasn't...
They turned around, as did everyone around me and stared.. it was awkward so i put my capalana over my face and kept on walking hoping to blend in with the crowd.
I went up to the checkout counter and began my bargaining banter. The man was a tough one to crack that's for sure. I didn't think it was fair that i was doing his business such a favour by buying all these items and he wasnt budging on the price! Everyone knows they are Uzungu prices! He wasn't even throwing in an extra wooden spoon, keyring or anything! But i bought it all anyway because i've never been very good at the whole bartering thing and to be honest it doesn't bother me anyway. Though next time i may try the Coles and see if i can get a better deal.
I shoved my change back into my africa pocket and put the shopping in my basket and onto my head, and off i went.
Well one thing that hasn't changed is that people still stare a lot. I don't know if i'll ever work out why. Maybe it's my bad portuguese?
I think i'm adjusting quite well for the most part. Although maybe i shouldn't tell you about the drive home!
Joking aside, I am missing the team greatly and it has been a bit strange trying to fit 8 or so months of catch up into three days so far. I have major jet lag that i didn't expect and am still trying to fight off some sickness i've been carrying around for a week. I have a pile of mail to sort through and many things to prepare for. Life suddenly became fast and i'm not sure i'm ready for it! Thankfully God's got me and He is ready and will give me the strength to handle it!
Thanks for reading! I'll be keeping this blog for the time being. Stay tuned to hear what i'll be doing this year!
Here are a few things i'm missing... In no order and certainly not an extensive list. That will require another blog post...
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| My friends who don't mind me joining in their games as i walk past them each wednesday... |
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| The famous gap in the trees....letting us know Lichinga is near :) |
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| Casa de Wagin, with Banjo posing out the front. My home in Lichinga. |
