First week alone. Kanda, my housemate left home. I gave my houseboy a week off. What a change. I love it. I admit that living with the boys has been fun. But living alone after 11 months, this is what I call life. I can wake up when I want to and go to bed when I want to. I can even walk in my underwear outside from my room. Well, that amuses the neighbours but I don’t care.
On Monday I cleaned the house and went shopping. I bought everything I thought I would need during one week for cooking. I have invited some of my friends over and we have had a good time. I found some sausages from the town supermarket so it has been a heaven to eat something else than fish after a long while.
Living alone has some disadvantages. Everyone thinks that I am lonely. Neighbours come in and ask if they can do anything to help me. They don’t usually leave until I let them do something. Nowadays the boy next door waters the garden for me.
We have a primary school nearby. Kids have a break at ten. They all come to my house to get some mangoes. We have some mango trees on the yard so they are more than welcome to eat them. They are now sharing them with baboons that take their share in the mornings.
After climbing trees and playing at the yard for few hours they come in to ask for water. It takes almost a half an hour to serve for 20 kids for water. It still amazes me that it is all they get since waking up and before going home for evening meal. And let me tell you that my water is pure. Most of the time they drink from the lake, where the water is contaminated and full of crocodiles.
Since my going home is getting closer I have started to clean my closets. I have given out most of clothes and shoes already. I never thought how big of a hassle it would cause. I thought I managed to get rid of unwanted beggars after giving out all the shoes, but no. This has caused even more problems. Every day at least ten people come to me and say give me my shoes, give me my shirt, or give me my ball. I should not have given out anything. I should have just left it all at the house for someone else to give out. At least I learned my lesson. Never give out anything. They learn that Mzungu (white man) will give you always something.
Tomorrow, on Saturday I will have my farewell party for my friends. I have invited only few people but as we know, when Mzungu has a party, everyone will come. So let’s see how many we are tomorrow.
I know that everyone will expect to get food. That is ok. The only challenge is the amount. I don’t know how much I should cook. Then another thing is that we have no plates for everyone. Fortunately Africans are used to eating with their hands so that won’t be a problem.
After the weekend I will go and visit my friend in Bukoba. It means an overnight boat trip on Lake Victoria. Last time I did it, I had a food poisoning. I didn’t really enjoy it. I hope this time will be better.
After coming back from Bukoba I am heading towards Dar. My plan is to drive through country to enjoy my last days in Tanzania. As we all know things happen when you are on the road. I just hope I will be safe. Until next time!
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