Goodbyes and last times

Health group. The business seminar went great!!! I was really happy with the NGO and my health group. SIDO has great teachers and they did a wonderful job with the group teaching them all about how to run a small business and how to make 5 food products. It was a great success and my health group LOVED it! What a fantastic last project with my group :)

The business seminar finished up Saturday and on Sunday I had a small going away party with my Mama and my counterpart Joyce. It was informal but they really put a lot of thought into it and I had a lovely time. It was so random because it was me, Joyce, my Mama, and then they also invited my carpenter (who has made all my furniture) and the village veterinarian (who has helped me take care of all my crazy cats). Even with the odd group of people it was a great little party. My mama cooked duck (so good!!), potatoes, rice, beans, and vegetables. They brought everything to my house and set up the table all nice. Joyce also brought beers and she and I wore our jeans! Talk about a crazy time!! Joyce gave me a really pretty shall and my Mama gave me 2 handmade clay pots. I LOVED both presents. Before dinner, we each said just a few words and I got choked up. All these goodbyes are too hard. We took some pictures which are up on Facebook which you may have seen. At the end, I let the others leave and then I gave my Mama and Joyce their presents. Each got 2 picture frames with pictures of me and them, a photo album full of pictures from my 2 years and a note to each of them, and then a phone because months ago both of them had their phones fail/broken and I am going to need to be able to call them!! They hugged me, were overwhelmed with their gifts, and almost started to cry. It was an emotional but terrific evening.

Monday and Tuesday I did the usual around the house and in the village with a usual health group meeting Tuesday. At the meeting, they mostly talked about my going away party and practiced the song they wrote for me. They are so cute!

Wednesday, I went to town to get some last minute things done. Then that evening I went to two other site-mates house along with my site-mates Megan and Nicole. They threw a going away party for me and made such good ‘tacos’ and a berry cobbler. The meal was delicious!! The rest of the evening we just hung out and chatted. All five of us haven’t been together just us in a long while, so it was really nice to visit and spend the night together.

Thursday, we all left early because we had work to do. Nicole and I went through the small town of Muheza to get to our villages. There we stopped to have tea and some breakfast. Afterwards, I headed back to my village. I got some work done in the morning and then I tried to take a nap that didn’t work out because people kept stopping by. Finally, I just got up because I had to go to my health group’s Thursday meeting at 2pm. They again, just continued planning and went over the specifics of my going away party Saturday and practiced the song. Adorable. When I got home, I went for a run, got water (yay! It’s been dry’ round here lately), and talked to me friend up north about how hard this all is…leaving our villages.

Friday morning my milk man visited me and he was passing by my house. He brought me a letter that he had written to me and it was full of such kind words. He also wanted to thank me again for the going away presents that I had given him. We had a wonderful conversation; I am going to miss him and his family so much. Later that morning I took a donation to my primary school. It was a donation from home of soccer t-shirts, shorts, soccer balls, pumps/pins, jump ropes, and a Frisbee. They were also so grateful and were so excited about the equipment. It’s so fun giving people gifts/donations/making people so happy. They too, had so many nice things to say and we took pictures of the occasion. That afternoon, I did my usual of working out and also prepared dinner because I was having a couple students over that evening. I also had a meeting with my health group again. I pretty much just read my book while they went over the details for my going away party the next day. When I got back to my house about 5pm, Tullo and John were already there. We chatted for a bit and then 2 teachers from the secondary school came by. We all hung out and chatted for a while and the teachers also filled me in on about my going away party they were having for me on Monday. After the teachers left, I gave my students their going away presents which consisted of school supplies. They absolutely loved everything! They also got a bit emotional about having to say goodbye to me soon and thanking me for their gifts and everything. They are such wonderful students and are so dear to me. Just as all the goodbyes are going to be, saying it to them is going to be so difficult. When we finished chatting about things, we ate dinner. I made spaghetti for them again which they really like. We all ate a lot and had such a lovely evening. As they were leaving, another teacher from my primary school stopped by. She hadn’t been at the school that morning when I dropped off the donation because she has malaria but she wanted to come by and see me. She was so sweet. She was so sick but still wanted to come by and say hello and chat before she didn’t have the chance to again. We sat and talk for a while, mostly about me leaving, staying in contact, about education, etc. I really like her and am glad she stopped by for a short while because I hadn’t seen her since we closed the school. When she left about 8pm, I spent some time in the phone with my friend. Then later than usual, I got a knock on the door about 9ish. It was one of my other favorite students. She grandmother is in my health group and I hadn’t seen her also since before the school closed. We talked for a few minutes. She is such and an adorable girl and I love her to pieces. She was also in my FEMA Club at the secondary school along with Tullo and John. I was so glad to see her after such a long school break. All in all, a very good day, but still full of goodbyes which is so hard to handle and I am not even done yet.

Saturday I woke up kind of late, about 9am. This has become a usual thing the past few weeks because I don’t work much anymore and my milkman (as I said many blogs ago) doesn’t come by my house in the morning to deliver milk because his cow is pregnant. Anyways, when I got up the first thing I did was work out. I was expecting my friend later so I wanted to make sure I got my workout in. Mid-morning one of my site-mates arrived and then the other about noon-ish. We hung out most of the day, chatted, and were waiting to go to my going away party at 230pm. When the time arrived, we headed to the village office for the party. They decorated the office and had everything set up so nice. The party began with introductions, then some of the members some words about our time together, they gave me my going away present, sang a song about our 2 years as a group and what we have done, and then we all shook hands and many of the mamas were getting tear-y eyed and actually some of the guys too. It was so sweet, but as soon as the first mama started crying then I started. I couldn’t help it! I got all choked up. Then it was my turn to speak. I had written it out, but I was so flustered and half crying my Kiswahili was terrible and I kept having to dab at my eyes. But they loved my speech and encouraged me all the way through it. They are the warmest, most loving people. When I was finished I gave them my gift, which was a photo album that I had made. It included pictures from the whole 2 years and also a copy of my speech that I had made in both Kiswahili and English. In the back, I also put 4 picture postcards of Washington, so they could see what it looked like and remember where I was originally from. When I was finished, one of the major figures in the village government (I forget his position) made a speech. I always love his speeches!! He is such a smart person with a worldly view of thing for coming from a small village. Note: he is also the grandfather of one of my favorite students John (who was also there as my CameraMan). His speech was wonderful and I really enjoyed it as usual. As we concluded the party, a few people say a few more short things and we all shook hands and took some pictures. It was absolutely perfect, touching, and I enjoyed every minute as emotional as it was. When we finished, we head over to where the food was being served. We had a great meal that the mamas prepared. It included the usual meat, rice, beans, cabbage, potatoes, oranges, and soda. I ate way too much which makes them happy. After we all finished eating, we took group pictures and said our goodbyes. It was a lovely day.

Later the girls and I returned to my house. We didn’t do much other than watch TV shows on the computers. We were pretty sedated by all the food we had eaten. When the computers died, we chatted for a bit, and went to sleep.

Sunday, the girls and I went to Tanga for our last trip to town together. When we arrived, we got breakfast at the nice hotel and ate until we hurt again :) It’s a buffet with American breakfast foods, like cereal with COLD milk, so you have to eat a lot haha. Thereafter, we spent the whole day poolside, swimming and I worked on my tan before I have to leave this beautiful sunny year-round place. That evening, we went to our favorite Indian restaurant to eat way too much again. I think I have mentioned this before but Tanga (the closet major town where we go) has a high population of Indians. Therefore, the Indian food here is to die for and is the best I have ever had. So I had to go to our favorite restaurant one last time and get all my favorite things!! Delicious!! And to top it all off the girls had surprised me by inviting some of our friends in Tanga. It was such an awesome surprise!! They were there when we got there and I was so freaking happy!! We had some beers, chatted, laughed a lot, and ate a great meal. They also surprised me with a going away present that I will treasure forever. One thing was a hand-carved welcome sign in Kiswahili (‘Karibu’). The other (and most sentimental) was the card that was signed by all my favorite people in town, including the guys from our internet café who have helped me immensely for the past 2 years, my mama that works at our fruit place, and the owner of our other small mom’n’pop Indian restaurant, and the girls/volunteers. It was the best card EVER!! Later, after a long yummy dinner, we got back to the hostel and watch The Tourist. The movie, of course, is simply fantastic because it has my bride-to-be in it, Angelina Jolie. And to add, it’s got Johnny Depp too. Not a bad combo. Again, I had a great day but sad, weird, and all of that too.

The next morning on Monday, Megan and I headed out early because we had stuff to do in our villages. As soon as I got back, I got ready and went to the other primary school to deliver the soccer equipment donation. They loved everything too and were super excited. The Headmaster is extremely nice and I was so happy to bring him the donation because I really haven’t done work with that school. Too many schools, so little time. I also had to say goodbye to my friend Editha. She is one of my best friends in the village and is a teacher at that school. So when I left the school, I had to say goodbye to her which was really sad.

After the primary school, I went to the Secondary School again. Two teachers had come over Saturday to tell me that they had planned a little goodbye for me and to come on Monday. When I arrived, the students and I first took a million pictures. My two favorite students, John and Tullo, led me around the whole school to take pictures with everyone. I haven’t looked at all of them yet but we must have taken close to 300 pictures. Practically, each student wanted their own picture with me. It was endearing and exhausting smiling that much too haha. When the students got their fill of pictures, I sat in the office, read, and ate a snack. That afternoon, the teachers set up a little goodbye thing in the office. I sat at the head table with the Headmaster. Most of the teachers took turns saying a few words, we had soda and cake, and they gave me a gift. I also said a few words, nothing scripted though. It was very nice of them but also a little awkward because it was never my favorite thing I had done (so I really wasn’t going to miss teaching haha). Thereafter, the teachers had finished with their small celebration and they gathered the students for the end of the day ‘assembly.’ My headmaster made a speech, as well as John and Tullo. They all had very nice things to say. Then I made a very short and sweet speech that I totally winged. As everyone was leaving, the teachers and I also took some pictures together. They were really funny and wanted to look at every picture we took. When I was ready to leave, 2 of the teachers walked my most of the way home which was very nice of them because it is pretty far. One my way home, I stopped and said hello to the doctor and nurses at the Health Dispensary. We had a nice conversation about leaving Kicheba and returning to America. Then I headed home where I just hung around the house while I had a constant trail of visitors coming in all afternoon through the evening. Again, I had to say some really hard goodbyes. I’m getting sick of saying goodbye; literally it’s been making me nauseous because of all the sadness and other emotions making me so upset and flustered. I don’t want to leave but I also can’t wait until this is over. I don’t know how much more sadness I can take.

That night, I did major packing and organizing, hoping to get most of it done that night. I wanted to have as little as possible to do my last night in the village. I didn’t want to be stressing out too much the last night trying to get everything together. I think I did a good job because it didn’t leave me with much to do the next day.

My last day in my village. Tuesday, I woke up and hung around the house for a little while. I cleaned, called to arrange for my taxi the next morning, and then I went out into the village to get something to eat (I had no food in my house). I also wanted to take some last minute pictures. As I was out and about in my village, I greeted and said goodbye to many people along the way. It was weird walking through my village for the last time. It was so surreal; I can’t explain it. I stopped at two ‘restaurants’ to have tea and something to eat. After a while, I took my camera’s battery to get charged so I would have it for my last going away party later that day. Then I stopped by my counterpart’s office and gave her some things I wanted to get rid of; we talked for a few minutes and then I left and she went back to preparing for my party. While I as hanging out at home, I busied myself with some more cleaning, playing with the kids, and reading. The afternoon went quickly and about 2:30pm I was escorted to my party at the village office. Though the party was similarly structured as the other parties, it was just as delightful. This party was with the village government, so I was happy to see some people I don’t see often, especially this one elder who I absolutely love and I think is the most adorable and kind man. They (as I have said many times) had many kind things to say that just simply warmed my heart and made me feel so special and appreciated. They are the kindest and most caring people that I have ever met. I got two more going away gifts, one from the whole village government and one personally from the WEO (Ward Executive Officer). I also again had to make a small speech. I didn’t prepare this one either but it went well…until I started crying. Then I just wrapped it up by saying ‘thank you’ and quickly sat down. I cannot keep the tears in check these days. Things are just too emotional. At the completion of the party, we had soda and took more pictures. It was absolutely magnificent. When I got home, I hung out with my mama and kids for a while and then I started to get many visitors, so I just mingled around my house as visitors kept coming and coming one right after the other until about 9pm. At some point, my loving mama brought me dinner so I could eat. I had my favorite, rice and beans made with coconut milk and vegetables. Finally, after everyone left…I got one more visitor haha. But really, after I closed and locked my door about 9:15pm, I bathed and did more organizing/cleaning up (it’s crazy how that stuff never ends). To wind down, I drank some milk I got earlier, typed some of this blog, and hung out with my Sparky-look-a-like who I have become very fond of. By 11pm, I was exhausted, so I just read a bit and went to bed. Besides the fact that it was my last day which in itself was so sad, I had a lovely day with my village and villagers. I couldn’t have asked for a better end to my life in a small yet amazing Tanzanian village.

Wednesday I woke up early and I did a few last minutes things but for the most part I was ready. I had prepared well, which I am glad I did. I wasn’t stressed out or having to run around doing a bunch of things. My closest site-mate came over from her village and came to my house to head to town with me. While we hung out waiting for the taxi to come, many of my students came by the house to say goodbye before they went to school. Especially, my primary school kids; it was so sweet!! About 8am (and on time!) my taxi arrived. By that point several members of my health group had come, my mama, neighbors, doctor, milkman, and kids were and my house to send me off. I hugged each and every one of them and started to cry (just a little bit) and quickly got in the card and did what I had to do. Leave. In the car I was OK. I think I was just didn’t believe that I wouldn’t be returning. When I got to the small town of Muheza, Nicole and I had tea/breakfast, I returned my PO Box keys, and pick up some skirts for my tailor. After that, I got on a bus and headed to Tanga. In Tanga, I ate at my favorite fruit place, ran some errands, and posted this blog.

Next on the agenda is to head to Zanzibar until Sunday. While I am there I am going to relax, de-stress, reflect, tan, and….get my PADI scuba diving certification! So cool, right?! I will be able to scuba-dive anywhere in the world. I am super excited. Many of my friends have scuba certifications and now I will be able to dive with them. YAY. Sunday I will take the ferry over to Dar and meet up with my friends who are also finishing their service at the same time. We will wrap up things at the office Monday through Wednesday and then very late Wednesday night I will leave for America. At 9:55pm Thursday evening I will be landing at Sea-Tac Airport. I don’t know what to say.

Random pieces of information:
- Frak is gone now too. I think they found new families because they knew I was leaving. And just maybe they are the smartest cats known to man and they knew with all the other goodbyes, they knew I was dreading saying goodbye to them and just walking away, abandoning them. So, they took it upon themselves to just head out and I have to believe that they are alive, okay, and just with new families or living the rolling stone life free and wild in Africa.
- My Sparky-look-a-like is so cute. I took some pictures of her. I swear she could be related to Sparky. She has been hanging out around my house with me and has become more and more comfortable with me. I think she is also very smart and new I need a friend during my last weeks here. Call it animal intuition.
- As you may have heard, I have cancelled my home coming party. Though I was really looking forward to it (for 2 years!), the date just didn’t work for many people. I don’t intend to reschedule it; it would be odd to have a welcome home party several weeks after getting back and after you already see many people. But I will keep you posted if anything changes and in the meantime I am sure I will see some of you around anyway.

And that’s that.

See you in America,
Jessica