I danced with one of my favorites, Teresa for a long time. Here's a pic of her:
Today we had a birthday party for Pixie and Helen, two regular volunteers. We covered the field in tarps, and hung up paper chains and colored pictures. It was transformed from a sorry looking gravel pit into a banquet/dancing hall! Then the girls did my makeup, which probably made me look very glamorous. Even Helen noticed, pointing out the beautiful streaks of mascara all down my nose. Then we had a dinner very different than their usual githeri (beans and corn) and ugali (corn meal). It was basically a feast that included chapatis, cole slaw, potatoes in sauce, rice and pop.
An aerial view of "the field," where we had the party:
It is a well known fact that white people can't dance, and a lesser known fact that Chapmans especially can't dance. But we also know I am not above embarrassing myself. So I broke out moves from my bar mitzvah days. Turns out, they loved it!!!!!!! All night the kids (and the teachers!) were saying "SJ you know how to dance!" I hear that a lot, but normally its completely sarcastic. I was learning many African dance moves as well, and I was likely butchering them but really no one cared, because we were all having an amazing time.
We hung the tarps over these clotheslines and strung the paper chains along them, giving a much more festive appearance than the laundry that's usually hanging there...
Random post script...
I am not joking when I say that I can not walk for 2 minutes without hearing: Wa, Mzungu (heyyyy, white girl). Every child I pass either stares at me, or more often, shouts "how are you!" For the record, the answer to "how are you" is "fine." Always "fine." Never anything else. In fact, when I say hi to someone, even adults, the reply is mostly "fine." Sometimes I just look at someone and smile and he/she says "fine." And its said in the same tone as a 5-year-old might say it if s/he wants to end an argument. In any case, I am bombarded wherever I go by people shouting at me. The only place I am safe is the orphanage, where people are used to Wazungu (whites).
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