I am currently sitting in my Fort Collins home, drinking a
cup of Kilimanjaro tea and listening to Richard’s Swahili music, making it an
appropriate time to FINALLY write my last blog post for Africa. It’s been 8
weeks since my return from Tanzania, so this post is clearly long overdue and
I’m sorry for those expecting something sooner! My plan was to write during my
return home. It would be perfect way to entertain myself for a small portion of
the grueling 36-hour trip home. But believe it or not, 36 hours in airports and
airplanes flew by (no pun intended ;)). I
actually happened to sit by some really interesting and friendly people on all
four of my flights, and when I wasn’t talking to them about worldly travels, I
was reflecting on my last few weeks in Africa or dreaming about them while I slept. So, I did do A LOT of reflecting
during my travels home, those thoughts just never quite made it to my laptop
screen…until now :)
I still think about Tanzania nearly every day. As I go for
walks, as I listen to Richard’s Swahili music, and as I stumble upon the many
differences (and similarities) between our countries, I flash back to my
unforgettable journey across the world and the amazing people I met along the
way. Some experiences really stick out in my mind: safari through the
Ngorongoro crater, delivering my first baby at the hospital, and learning to
confidently navigate the streets of Arusha. However, these would all be
meaningless if it weren’t for the people that accompanied me.
First, I could not have asked for a better group of students
to live with for 6 weeks in an environment completely new to all of us. We
learned together, bonded over our medical nerdyness, and laughed a lot. These
are the people that truly understand my experiences and we will always share
this unique commonality. Along with my roommates, I became friends with many of
the local Tanzanians. These are the people that graciously welcomed me into
their country, open-armed and eager to learn and teach. We talked a lot about
cultural differences…the fact that Tanzanians put friends and family above all
else. I know most of us really value friends and family in the U.S. too, but I
don’t think it’s quite the same. One Tanzanian friend told me that if your
neighbor becomes ill, you will scrounge up any of your own money to help them
regardless of the hardships on your own family. This is quite an act of giving
considering the average Tanzanian only makes about $2 a day! After hearing this
story (and many others) and witnessing their kindness first-hand, I am
convinced that Tanzanians are some of the nicest, most generous, and genuine
people in the world.
I am thankful to keep
in contact with many of these great friends. Here are a few pictures of some of
them
Almost every day after working at the hospital, Grace and I would walk to our favorite supermarket where our friend Angel worked. She is 22, just like Grace and I. What a sweet girl with such a big heart! Angel and I text most days and attempt to make calls if we can get decent reception (which is almost never) but I am grateful that we still stay in touch. I miss you Angel and hope we will cross paths again someday!
These two boys were always waiting around the corner for Grace and I to get done at the hospital. Thomas (left) and Baraka (right) sell paintings on the streets of Arusha. Thomas approached us one day as Grace and I started walking away, thinking he was going to hackle us with sales like many other street workers. But, Thomas starting talking with us and never once asked us to buy a painting. He simply wanted to befriend us and have a conversation. In the end, we became great friends with Thomas and his cousin Baraka, exchanged English-Swahili lessons, and now I have a painting from Thomas hanging on the fridge in my kitchen (he still never asked me to buy one though!)
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These are pictures of Grace and I with some of the staff in the Laboratory at the hospital. We worked in the lab during our very first week at the hospital and were thankful to have this wonderful group of people to welcome us. I was very nervous on my first day but that feeling quickly diminished once I was greeted by these friendly faces. Grace and I returned to the lab at the end of our trip to deliver a cake and to thank them for welcoming us with open arms. They really got a kick out of our American-made cake. We tried to cut the cake into wedges pieces for serving but they wouldn't let us and proceeded to cut the cake into tiny pieces and eat it with their hands like typical Swahili dishes. Hysterical!
A final note...
There are two things I have learned while immersing myself
in Tanzanian culture:
1. We all have a lot more in common than one might believe.
I think
people often form misconceptions about
people and places other than their own. We often get stuck in our own bubble,
blinded by the politics and voices surrounding us. Africa has saved me from
this. Africa taught me to open my heart and my mind, to be open to new ideas,
new people, and new places. The only way to know, is to find out for yourself,
to travel the world and meet these people for yourself. So, go, and do it! :)
2. slow down
Each day in Africa, a group of us
would take the time to sit on the roof or walk to a local café to enjoy each others company and reflect on our day at the hospital. This was also a great
time for me to blog because I was relaxed and surrounded by good people. I don’t
think we have enough of that in the U.S. We always seem to be on the go,
thinking about our next task, and letting worry/stress effect our
relationships. The ‘pole, pole’ attitude is something I have really been trying
to incorporate in my own life, and I think we could all use a little of this.
Take a break from work or whatever it might be that is holding you back and
make a conscious effort to enjoy the life and the people surrounding you.
So, my message to you is to slow down, appreciate life for
what it is, and travel the world as much as possible. Life is too short to be
stuck in one place!
I hope to keep this blog going throughout PA school and
later on in my life so keep checking in with me.
Love you all,
xo
