Butt Maggots

Mental image: butt maggots. Just think about it for a minute. Maggots…in your butt. This week we talked about basic first aid and potential cases we may have here in Tanzania. No one was more surprised than I about the idea of maggots that will lay eggs on your clothes, and if not properly ironed those eggs could hatch in your skin. Prior to this information I informed my host family that I didn’t need to iron my clothes because I bought wrinkle-free shirts to avoid the hassle…I’ll be taking that claim back soon. As if that mental image weren’t bad enough we THEN learned that those eggs are often picked up when you sit on the ground, causing the eggs to be implanted in your behind….thus the idea of what I like to call “butt maggots”. While this would normally cause some to worry, I erupted into laughter. Now I refer to friends and loved ones as “butt maggots”. I think it’s a term of endearment.

Aside from the idea of butt maggots, or perhaps going along with that new found knowledge, this week has been great! We brought the Fourth of July festivities to Tanzania with a big celebration with the PCTs that involved relay races, soccer games, frisby, volleyball, and of course tug of war. I then announced that I would be setting off the fireworks I managed to smuggle overseas…if only.

Being here I realized that sometimes, or often, I find myself in somewhat awkward situations. For those who know me I’m sure this comes as a shock, but yes, it does happen to me here occasionally. The other afternoon my friend and fellow trainee realized there was a huge celebration near her house. We walked over to see what was going on and soon found ourselves dancing in the middle of this party with people surrounding us. Just picture any awkward white suburban girl with zero rhythm and no dance moves and you have the two of us. Good times. It turned out the celebration was a wedding, and it was really awesome to experience the culture. I just need to learn how to stay on the OUTSIDE of the circle next time.

My Kiswahili is…coming! I’m able to buy mangos at the market, greet any and everyone in the village, and announce when I’m full. I’d say I’m near fluency right now.

So yes, things are going well and I hope things are fine and dandy back in the States!

-Catherine