Kwaheri Bekah.

My going away party was yesterday. People were invited to come at 2:30, but many people came right after work got out at 12:30. Rose, one of the participants in my study, and my neighbors Max, and Kassoni started cooking at 8:30. Well, if cooking includes killing the meal. I still can't believe I actually paid for a goat to be killed. Here in Tanzania, a party isn't a party without killing something. After the first goat was deceased and cut up, Rose arrived and said it wasn't going to be enough to have nyama choma (my favorite part) so someone went off to find another poor soul to sacrifice. On the menu was banana and stomach soup (it is a stinky endeavor and not really my favorite), pilau (rice and meat), cooked cabbage, nyama choma (roasted meat), beer and soda. The five of us were so busy the entire time I didn't really get a chance to see who all showed up, but those that were attending the party said everyone enjoyed. Due to my small fear of large groups paying attention to me, I had some wine set aside for me. Rose told me later that a few people asked what was in my water bottle and she told them it was dawa (medicine) for me only because I was so sad to be leaving. Actually, it was my liquid courage :). These guys are dancing and eating. Looks like they too had some liquid courage.I had an outfit made for the party, but unfortunately, didn't get a picture of just me in my outfit, but here is a picture of me and my pikipiki driver, Samuel. I am pretty sure if model recruiting occurred in Tanzania, he would be in GQ by now. Near sunset, the music was turned off and I was dragged out of the kitchen to face everyone. The mzee of the group announced to everyone that if anyone had any problems with me or if I had any problems with anyone there, it was time to tell them. Oh, and safari njema (safe journey). Then some ladies that work at the office came forward and presented me with some beautiful material. I am glad everyone had fun, but my favorite part of the day was talking about it with Rose when it was over. Here we are with the gardener who works at my house.It felt a little like working at a restaurant must feel before and during the dinner rush. I realized that only two people actually pulled me aside to say kwaheri. But that didn't bother me. I don't like saying kwaheri anyways and it is always awkward because I really don't know if I will see these people again. They could quit their jobs or I could not get a chance to come back for a visit for a long time. Enough about that. The point is, everyone enjoyed themselves and my emotions were dumbed down enough that nothing was really bothering me about having so many people in my "territory."