There are just some things about living in Africa that are completely different than what you would experience back in the US. Sometimes words just can't describe some of the funny things that I have seen or experienced. There are some luxuries that I never thought I would miss before coming here (or even thought were luxuries at all for that matter.) Here are a few of the highlights.
(I wrote a similar post back in November that can be seen here.)
You know you have lived in Africa when...
- checking for ants on your toothbrush before brushing your teeth becomes second nature.
- you walk into the ATM booth not for money, but simply to enjoy the air conditioning inside.
- you get excited when your office buys perforated toilet paper. (It's the little things that make you smile.)
- you look forward to the full moon not for its beauty, but for it's light because it makes it easier to see as you walk home at night in the dark.
- you don't even need your flashlight to walk home even if the moon is gone because you have memorized the locations of all the potholes.
- friends asking for money as an inherent obligation of friendship is no longer offensive.
- you look forward to going to the slightly more expensive restaurant that puts cheese in their dishes all week.
- you wear a pair of pants two or three more times than usual in order to avoid washing them by hand.
- driving within 6 inches of a car while riding on a boda boda (motorcycle taxi) is quite as nerve-wracking as it should be.
I should stop and clarify. Despite all of the smells, inconveniences, and other random annoyances here, I really love it here. The people are all so nice and I have made some wonderful friends. I am going to be very sad when I have to leave this place in June.
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