Funny thing happened today...

So, I was reading through my former posts and realized that they all sound a bit depressing. Sorry about that...I feel the tide has changed and life here is actually really nice in many respects. The weather here is beautiful, you can't get better than this...sunny, mid-80s during the day and drops down to 60s at night with a few rain showers here and there. I have also met some wonderful people. I attend a play group for Charlie on Wednesdays and Fridays which has been lovely (I feel like I am talking a bit like a Brit since being here since I am hanging around many of them).

The play group consists of ex-patriotes (mostly Europeans) and many cute little kids. The play group on Wednesday is at a woman's house who is an elementary/pre-school teacher during the days. She has a nice set-up where kids can paint, play in the sand-box, jump on a trampoline, play with toys, explore their surroundings. The play group on Fridays is similar but not as well equiped with all the "goodies" but is definitely good conversation. The play groups have been really nice for Charlie and me...Charlie gets to play with people his own age and I get some adult time and understand more about life in Tanzania (I promise to take pictures next time and post some).

Many of the ex-patriotes are committed to staying 3 plus years working at the international school or due to their husband's job (computers). They are all very realistic about how they feel about living here stating that they have their ups and downs. The upside is that a mom can stay at home and live a relatively comfortable life taking care of the kids, the weather is fantastic, and the people are warm and friendly. The downside is that there really isn't much to do with the kids besides a swimming pool at the Il Boro Lodge and outings like play group. One can feel quite isolated if you don't plan get togethers weekly. The moms all have cars which they say has been a life saver and really helped in getting adjusted and acquainted with their surroundings.

The slower pace is becoming much easier to handle...and I quite like it now. Lazy mornings, playing with Charlie, long walks with Charlie on my back, scheduled lunch and nap times, when Charlie naps I read or take a nap with him. It is quite luxurious. On Tuesday and Friday mornings I go to Step by Step, on Wednesdays and Friday afternoons I have play group, every other Thursday I have bible study. These activities have come to be enough for me to easily settle in and really start enjoying life here. I have met a few regulars on my morning walks with Charlie too! I realized after talking to one man that owns a shop along the road that his main goal was to find a white woman to marry and wanted to know if I knew any of them and if I thought it were possible. Now that was a loaded question! I wasn't quite sure how to answer him without crushing his dream. The thought of an American woman marrying a man that happens to be of the Masai tribe which historically do not treat their women well is hard to digest. The Masai men tell the woman what to do and the woman does it, she has no free will as I understand it (my information given to me from a friend that has lived here for 30 years and has worked with the Masai). If the man dies, the wife has no way of supporting her family and is lost. SO, you can imagine my difficulty in answering the question but basically I left it open ended....and eventually gave him Sarah's number...ha ha ha. I mean, who knows, I could be surprised. Life is often not what it seems to be...

A bit about Charlie: Charlie is getting to know our gate keeper well (Mbutuai), saying "hi" and even letting him pick him up periodically. Charlie is very independent playing inside the gate but once we step out he is reaching up for me to hold him. In the beginning of our walks he is in my arms clinging to me as little Tanzania boys and girls come up to him, try to touch him and say "jambo toto." As we walk further he gradually wants down but holds onto my hand and after about 15 minutes he is walking on his own and I am having to tell him not to chase after the dogs or chickens. He is talking a lot too! He says all gone, all done, goat, dog, please, thank you, chalk, mommy, daddy, okay, lets go, chocolate milk (hard to understand but we know what he is saying), juice, book and the list goes on. He is also pointing to all of his body parts without help (ie. where's your eye...and he points to his eye). Charlie LOVES to play in the dirt, moving dirt from one pile to the next. He loves to throw rocks, read books, and chase after mommy and daddy. Charlie and I have had fun singing songs and performing the actions (the itsy bitsy spider, hokey pokey, etc) and follow the leader (bear walks, stomp your feet like an elephant, wave your arms like a monkey, jump like a frog, run like a leopard, walk slow like a turtle, arch your back like a cat and so on). He and I have lots of fun!