The Borlaug Blog

The craziest week so far. Pari and I started the week pretty chill, waiting for Joyce’s return. Then, somehow, we ended up at the Tanzania border four days into the week, where we went face-to-face with cockroaches and centipedes. Only to come home on Saturday with the worst stomachache imaginable. Let’s dive in.

On Monday, a guy from church introduced us to a father and son from Tennessee! It has been so long since I last saw a white person in person I started forgetting what they looked like.

This was a story in itself, to be honest. First, a man we kinda forgot who he was came up to Pari and me at dinner. He said, “I brought visitors!”. We were so confused. Why was this man telling us this? It doesn’t mean anything to us. Then we remembered he’s from church, a super nice guy who often goes to America. We then were excited because his bringing visitors could only mean one thing…They were American!!!

So we ran to meet them, they were people from our home how could we not be excited! It was so awkward. Typically, in Kenya, both parties are excited to meet each other; there are handshakes, even hugs. But there was nothing with these white people. Father and son. Just staring at us. We introduce ourselves, but oh my god, I can’t get the memory of the awkwardness out of my brain.

It was awkward, but it got me thinking, is this how we are in America. We aren’t excited or care to meet new people. Do we not care to know them? Why do we not ask each other questions and become friends with new people? Why, why, why? Why do we only care about ourselves? Why are we so individualized? Why can’t we be community-based? What happened to’ It Takes Village’? Is that just not a thing any more? Someone, please answer my questions.

After the awkward moment with the Americans, Pari and I realized how much living in Kenya for over a month has changed us. We like meeting people and are excited, too! [CONTINUE READING]