I have just passed the one year mark in TZ and I am very pleased with myself! I just can’t get over how much has changed in my life and how much I have learned. I truly believe that Africa challenges you in ways you could never imagine and no matter how much you think you are going to give, or try to give, she brings things right back to you instead. This is a place where the people, their culture and ways are so dramatically different from everything that us westerners know and believe in that everything can be lost in translation and you have to delve into the deepest confines of your soul sometimes to survive. And that’s often what it’s all about, or the only thing it’s about. Before making any changes or putting forward what could be the best idea in the world, well researched and thought out, one must first understand the obstacles. There are always plenty of those. So it is that our very survival on this continent and therefore to be of any use to anyone we must firstly learn how to do, see and think differently every minute of the day. It’s been exhausting and I am tired often. But, I make some progress at times. Funding is being received, priests are (some reluctantly) changing their ways and learning new things. And that is what I came to do. There is light!
Throughout the twelve months I have gone through more personal growth than I could ever have done at home during years of trying! Life is more about getting to tomorrow and less about what my next ‘thing’ is going to be. I don’t often use my diary anymore and don’t know from one week to the next what I’ll be doing. I have ditched the heels and have been seen in crocs…! I can also be seen sweating profusely along with the locals in the humidity and never touch make-up in the height of the hot season. I have also become a huge believer in the angels. Spirituality is more important now and time-out crucial. I have met some amazing and special people who have become friends for life and I receive at least one invite each week from some random Tanzanian who says he’d like to be my friend!
Mostly though I see life differently now. It’s all about perspective and respect. There is a lot of racism in Africa and how you react to it and deal with it teaches you a lot about yourself. And that’s not just white to black but very much visa-versa. I am constantly challenged to remain non-judgemental and retain my principles.
Some of the things and highlights that come to mind include:
1. arriving in Tanga and being amazed at the contrast and ‘backwardness’ of it all 20 hours after leaving a developed London. The mud huts and driving through herds of goat, sheep and cows to what seemed like the back end of the earth came as quite a reality check
2. the sunshine and heat everyday
3. the hundreds of bicycles and the day I saw beds, mattresses, tables and then all sorts of other household things on the back of each one
4. the sheer poverty and ignorance of most of the people(from a lack of education and opportunity)
5. the corruption and the sheer obviousness of it EVERYWHERE
6. the beauty of the land
7. the frustration and moments of despair when nothing happens
The most memorable moments have been the simplest things however. Getting to a ‘real’ supermarket for the first time in months and getting my hands on dark chocolate was like all my Christmases coming together! The first time a herd of zebra just galloped past the car like horses and hearing a bush baby (v small and cute primate about the size of a squirrel that comes out at night and is exceptionally vocal!) running along the roof and not knowing what the hell was out there!
And so to a new year of experiences and a new blog. A change is as good as a rest and I would like to continue to share this journey and adventure with you, whatever it may bring. There will always be a story and a lesson to be learned and shared. x
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