5-19
I’ve spent a good amount of time lately thinking about things I’m going to enjoy when I get home. What I’ve failed to do is think on the things I’m going to miss about Chad, the things I should take extra time now to appreciate and enjoy. So here is my list, though it might not all make sense to anyone but me.
Morning prayers at 5:30
Hearing “bon apetite” before eating anything
Having menial but consistent chores to complete (setting the table, filling the water filter, sweeping the square of concrete outside my door)
Eating fresh baked bread every morning
Working out to the silly aerobics shows my brothers sometimes watch in the morning
Having (almost) no obligation to be connected to the internet
Being able to walk from one place to another because the necessities are all close by
Smelling beignets being fried and smiling at the women baking them
Waving to familiar faces who sell things outside their homes, even if we don’t know each other by name
Never being cold
Not having to call before visiting, and having random visitors pay surprise visits all the time
Having a tailor who makes quality, inexpensive clothes that are just my size
Being greeted by children singing “nasara, nasara” when I walk down a side street
Teaching silly games like Limbo and Go Fish to my host siblings, and learning silly games from them
Squatty potties
Bucket baths
Colorful lizards on every wall
Wearing Chacos everywhere I go
Not having to worry about matching my clothes
Laundry hanging on the line to dry
Looking forward to care packages and letters from home
Joyful singing and dancing in church
Scratching the silver stuff off of phone credit tickets to enter a new code
Buying juice or cookies for just $0.20
The playful high five slap people give when you say something to make them smile
Hibiscus juice
Bouille
Visiting the babies at the orphanage
Explaining things like contact lenses and retainers to hair mousse
Picking fresh fruit from trees in the yard
Papa’s silly way of watching TV
Maman’s goofy explanations for what is or isn’t good to eat
Papi always wishing me “bon apetite” but no one else at the table
Lily trying to guilt trip me for basically everything
Garoum play fighting me as we mess up each other’s hair
Minga practicing the English phrases I’ve taught her
Mbaishisem eating lunch with me when no one else is home
Nerambaye shouting random song lyrics to no one at all for no reason
Feeling awesome just because I can say “I live in Africa.”
I’ve spent a good amount of time lately thinking about things I’m going to enjoy when I get home. What I’ve failed to do is think on the things I’m going to miss about Chad, the things I should take extra time now to appreciate and enjoy. So here is my list, though it might not all make sense to anyone but me.
Morning prayers at 5:30
Hearing “bon apetite” before eating anything
Having menial but consistent chores to complete (setting the table, filling the water filter, sweeping the square of concrete outside my door)
Eating fresh baked bread every morning
Working out to the silly aerobics shows my brothers sometimes watch in the morning
Having (almost) no obligation to be connected to the internet
Being able to walk from one place to another because the necessities are all close by
Smelling beignets being fried and smiling at the women baking them
Waving to familiar faces who sell things outside their homes, even if we don’t know each other by name
Never being cold
Not having to call before visiting, and having random visitors pay surprise visits all the time
Having a tailor who makes quality, inexpensive clothes that are just my size
Being greeted by children singing “nasara, nasara” when I walk down a side street
Teaching silly games like Limbo and Go Fish to my host siblings, and learning silly games from them
Squatty potties
Bucket baths
Colorful lizards on every wall
Wearing Chacos everywhere I go
Not having to worry about matching my clothes
Laundry hanging on the line to dry
Looking forward to care packages and letters from home
Joyful singing and dancing in church
Scratching the silver stuff off of phone credit tickets to enter a new code
Buying juice or cookies for just $0.20
The playful high five slap people give when you say something to make them smile
Hibiscus juice
Bouille
Visiting the babies at the orphanage
Explaining things like contact lenses and retainers to hair mousse
Picking fresh fruit from trees in the yard
Papa’s silly way of watching TV
Maman’s goofy explanations for what is or isn’t good to eat
Papi always wishing me “bon apetite” but no one else at the table
Lily trying to guilt trip me for basically everything
Garoum play fighting me as we mess up each other’s hair
Minga practicing the English phrases I’ve taught her
Mbaishisem eating lunch with me when no one else is home
Nerambaye shouting random song lyrics to no one at all for no reason
Feeling awesome just because I can say “I live in Africa.”