I've been busy. These past few months since I've moved to DC my life has been frenetic. I'm putting my back into my job which is a whirlwind of acronyms and email protocol to remember. Trying to met new people in my city. Putting myself in awkward situations to see if I can meet that kindred friend I know is out there. I've gone on many dates. I've had a boyfriend, then didn't, then did, then didn't again. Testing the limits of what it means to be in my 20s. Trying to quiet my inner narrative about what it means to be a woman and if I'm living up to that.
But when I'm traveling, it all disappears. The toys, boys, and noise take a backseat to adventure. Being in a new place makes me giddy and wriggly and at peace. I have, for two weeks, escaped.
I made time between meetings to walk in the neighborhood around the hotel. Women carry comically large burdens on their heads. Their hips sway as they walk down the street as if they're dancing. I've got to learn how to do that. I walked into the market and breathed deep the stink of it all. When you're traveling, dirt and danger seems quaint and character building. Chickens gawked at me and so did the vendors. As I went deeper, the market closed in and the eyes got bigger and my followers pressed in tighter. I thought it was best not to linger.
For dinner, Peter and I ate at a streetside BBQ. The chicken was roasted over a large pit and the smoke was a thick fog around us that clung to my hair even after I showered.
Tomorrow we will travel to Tabora to visit our field sites.
Kwaheri,
Chelsea
But when I'm traveling, it all disappears. The toys, boys, and noise take a backseat to adventure. Being in a new place makes me giddy and wriggly and at peace. I have, for two weeks, escaped.
I made time between meetings to walk in the neighborhood around the hotel. Women carry comically large burdens on their heads. Their hips sway as they walk down the street as if they're dancing. I've got to learn how to do that. I walked into the market and breathed deep the stink of it all. When you're traveling, dirt and danger seems quaint and character building. Chickens gawked at me and so did the vendors. As I went deeper, the market closed in and the eyes got bigger and my followers pressed in tighter. I thought it was best not to linger.
Tomorrow we will travel to Tabora to visit our field sites.
Kwaheri,
Chelsea
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