Trust in the process

After being here for about two weeks, I can definitely see my feelings starting to shift. It is still exciting, stimulating, and engaging, but there is a hidden side to this place that isn't 100% positive. Don't get me wrong, I really like it here and am learning new things from the locals everyday, but its not all rainbows and butterflies like it seemed to be at first!

The first few days of my homestay have proven to be a challenge. Staying in the comforts of a hotel with all of my friends in my group is quite different than living with a Zanzibari family, as I've been doing for the past 5 days. My Zanzibar family consists of a single mom with five kids all under the age of 15. Since I've been here, one of the kids has had the flu, malaria, and stomach illnesses, while another one has cerebral palsy and can't eat, walk, or talk on his own. It's been a shock to my system to see this family go about their daily lives and I find myself feeling awkward - especially because of the language barrier. They are extremely welcoming, though, as everyone here is. It gets better everyday as I get more comfortable... I'm learning a lot from them and hopefully as time goes by it will become an even better experience!

Another thing that has become less charming as time goes by is the lack of attention to timeliness people have here. Multiple times, we've been sitting in class waiting for a lecturer, only to have them show up 45 minutes late, or one time, not at all. Its interesting because we are on an American program where everything is scheduled out, and Zanzibar time doesn't really match up with that schedule. I'm not a very patient person (never have been) and I'm definitely learning a little more every day to just let things go! I have to remember that I'm not in America where everything is go, go, go and take advantage of that difference!

Finally, I've lately been shocked by some of the guys here. As my director told us, "Zanzibari men think they are God's gift to women." I have found this to be completely true! They love to talk to the girls in our program and sometimes it's a little disturbing. DON'T WORRY though, we are super safe and I've gotten really good at ignoring them!!

If this post sounds depressing at all, it's not meant to be! All in all, I am having a great time and there really are hakuna matata! I'm pretty much in class all day, errday... but there is still plenty of time to explore. I just wanted to show the other side of things instead of just writing "THIS PLACE IS AMAZING" every post! I'm missing America a little bit but we're told to "Trust in the process" so that's what I'm doing. Seems to be working so far! This coming week: 21st birthday celebrations, a music festival, snorkeling, and more homestay excitement!

Hopefully pictures will come soon - the internet is too slow to load anything substantial though!
:)