A Little Privacy Please

I love living in my community with Tanzanian neighbors who are friendly and very helpful. It's nice not to feel unnoticed or isolated in this community orientated culture. However there are days like today when I wouldn't mind being a little less noticeable in the community.

I was sitting in my living room this room writing emails and letters, trying to catch up on everything, when suddenly I heard "hodi hodi mzungu!" and the sound of a bunch of kids laughing outside of my gate. They were basically saying "knock, knock white person" and asking to come in. Since there is an elementary school nearby I wasn't entirely shocked to hear kids but usually they only yell at me when they see me outside. Seeing as how I hadn't left my house yet I was a bit surprised that they were yelling. I ignored them and figured they would leave but I was wrong.

A couple minutes later I heard a loud commotion, a mix of kids yelling and laughing and the gate clanging. Suddenly I could hear them running right outside my window down the side of the house, which means they were inside the gate. Now I was frustrated. I'm trying to have a quiet morning and get some work done but I can't concentrate. Fortunately I have great neighbours and they chased the kids off. It doesn't help for me to try to do anything because seeing me only encourages them.

Unfortunately this isn't an isolated incident. Another day a while ago I was in my bathroom washing my hands when a neighbour girl heard me. There is maybe 3 feet between the wall of our bathroom and the wall of the neighbour's house. On top of that, the water from the sink runs outside instead of into a sewer system. This girl was standing outside and she heard the water so she started yelling "I love you mzungu!". She couldn't see me because I was quite a bit higher and the curtains were closed. But she knew that white people lived in that house and that someone was in the bathroom so she started yelling. It was slightly disconcerting to realize that I didn't even have complete privacy in my own bathroom.

So although there are days when I do wish for a bit more privacy, I like my house and my neighbours and am thankful God brought me here.