You snooze, you lose

On Friday, we headed down to the fabric market in City Centre. The market is located in a neat district in town that I had never seen before that had a much more Arab and Muslim influence and lots of old buildings (the picture was taken from inside the daladala while we were on our way out). I purchased too much fabric (I am my mother's daughter), and Chris kept telling people that Stacey, Wendy and I were his three wives. He then proceeded to try selling us to whoever would give him a quote, thoroughly amused by the situation. We found out Wendy was worth 10 cows, Stacey could be purchased for 200,000,000 TSH (Tanzanian shillings), and I was not even marketable because my father is a farmer. :) It was entertaining, to say the least, especially their faces in reaction to the prices and our responses to Chris, which included pretending to choke him. We then stopped at Debonair's Pizza (still just isn't the same as pizza at home) and ice cream (now this is arguably better than home, but it is just too hot to enjoy it the same way but just inhale it). We were lucky and snagged seats in a daladala during prime time for traveling out of City Centre, and due to traffic, it was a significantly longer commute – almost 2 hours to get back to Mwenge then one more daladala to campus.

On the ride back, I kept trying to close my eyes and rest a little (still using my body as a shield protecting my purse, always on the defensive...), but I found myself not wanting to miss any of the drive back, to not see more of Dar even if it was dark. This reminded me of how I feel whenever I am tempted to take a nap in the late mornings or afternoons here, as those 5:45 a.m. wake-up bells are getting harder and harder to restrain the urge to hit snooze. I just do not want to nap because I feel like I might end up missing some of the experience. Sleeping more just seems like a waste of time here because really, I should be living every second I am here in Tanzania because the trip will be done before I know it (it is already way past the halfway point – I can hardly believe it!).

When I think about reconsidering naps here, though, I start to realize how much I take life for granted, not just the conveniences that make life easier or the familiar faces and touches that make life individual to each person, but the very gift of life itself. Just the opportunity to wake up, to run, to eat meals and laugh with friends, to experience both the exciting and the mundane, to even experience emotions in general – all of this is such a blessing that, like Africa, should not be missed. I am a bit ashamed to admit it took coming here to realize that, but better late than never, right? So, from here on out, I am choosing to live each day – whether at home, Luther, Tanzania or even outer space – to the absolute fullest, reveling in the beauty that life's opportunities paint each and every day, no matter where I am.