Last days in Geita

It's dark outside, the African jungle-sounding nighttime noises are creating a chorus outside our windows, and from some house a ways away I can just barely make out Celine Dion on the radio (people here like to play their music loudly)... but other than that it's peaceful and quiet, so I figured it'd be the perfect time for an update. I promise this one will be more encouraging than the last!

First, this was a beautiful sight yesterday:



I never thought I would be so thankful for rain, but after living here for nearly two weeks and sparing water and Daniel having to take a huge tank (seen in the background of the picture) into town to fill up from another water source there, we were all smiling when the skies opened up and we could collect a couple thousand liters off the roof in barrels, buckets, and tanks. Drinking water (don't worry, it's filtered first), shower water, washing dishes and clothes water... we have enough for awhile!

Also going on at the house lately has been Marina's "Salooni" (salon in Swahili) which she's opened up. To all the relatives I did this to when I was little... it was payback time ; )



Other than that, I have been doing interviews for my research and am finding people's opinions about who missionaries are and what they are here to do really interesting. Some people say they come because they want to live in a new place. Others think that missionaries want to earn money. To help people. To teach about God. To spy. Quite the colorful quilt these people are painting for me! I've talked to people from all different walks of life, from the diocese bishop to housekeepers, and one thing I am loving about the interviews is how much people like to talk and share thier opinions. It's fun!

I will be in Geita until Friday when I board another night bus back to Nairobi (oh joy). I'll stay with the same family I did on my way through last time and am really looking forward to that, and then on Sunday night I'll leave the Southern Hemisphere and the warm weather and head to Germany for a quick visit.

Speaking of the Southern Hemisphere... here are my two quick observations about it:

1. The constellations look different. Of course I knew this would happen, but let me tell you, the big dipper does not look like it could hold any water at this angle.

2. I really wanted to see a toilet flush with water swirling in the opposite direction. No such luck. All the toilets here are either not the kind that swirl in circles or are just plain holes in the ground. Bummer.