A Lifetime of Prep

Yesterday I met a girl at the university who asked me how long I'd been in Tanzania. When I told her one month she gave me a look of surprise and said, "it seems like you've been here much longer."

I don't know what she was basing that opinion on but sometimes I think my entire life has been preparing me for Africa. That's not to say I suddenly think I want to spend my life here.

Today I was on the bus and it was sweltering hot and we weren't moving (cues and hold ups are about the only thing you can count on in this country) and it occurred to me as I sat back resting my eyes that I'm incredibly patient. I'm not trying to pat myself on the back and if Heather is reading this she is probably saying "yeah right." But it's true...I am very patient for the things that can not be controlled but if I have an idea (such as "i want to play HALO - now") I have to make it happen right away (hence my impulsive purchase of an XBOX off Kijiji this summer). The point is, such a character trait is incredibly handy here.

I'm also really good at zoning out. In Canada some have thought I'm just constantly lost in my own deep thoughts (and sometimes that is true) but sometimes i'm just totally zoned out. No I'm not a pot head. This may seem an odd asset but when you find yourself in large crowds of people speaking a language you don't understand it is quite handy to zone out and live in your own world for a while (where you can talk to yourself and it's quite interesting!)

Perhaps one of the more obvious preparations are the years I spent in ethinic churches...particularly the Ghanaian one. There are funny little cultural things (like the presentation of a faux mink blanket as a gift - in this heat?!)that happen here all the time that don't phase me because I've experienced them so many times before. I guess that gives me confidence.

And my most African asset would be...my ass. Is that inappropriate? Sorry to all the 'professionals' reading this. But if you know Tanzanians you know they love to talk about relationships and the way girls look. I have a more African than Canadian figure. There is no escaping it. But If ind it somewhat hilarious because all the things that potentially make me insecure in Canada make me hot in Tanzania. Hot Damn.

In other news...I've been encourages by a professor/friend here to start writing again. After some of the things I went through two years ago I stopped writing because writing was a reminder of pain. I think it's time for me to get over that and start being creative again. So I might be publishing some colomns in a local English paper here...that would be cool!