Shakespeare Meets Whitedent and I Learn What Those Nets Over Your Beds Are For

September 28th- October 1st:Monday-Thursday

Monday I found a copy of King Lear by Shakespeare when I was looking through the street vendor’s collection of used books. Bought it and finished it Tuesday. I really enjoyed the play. The copy I bought is great because it has a bunch of back round information and notes to go along with the play which are very helpful. Wednesday then I went online and downloaded Hamlet, Macbeth, and Much Ado About Nothing. Also returned to the book vendor and found a copy of Othello. Wednesday night then I read Hamlet. I love Hamlet, it is a great play. I wish though that I could find books of all these because it’s not as much fun to read them of the computer.

School has been good this week. Tuesday through Thursday I have been in charge of Gladness’ class because she has been going to a conference of sorts for teachers. Tuesday I was teaching the kids some English and a little boy through a spit sodden wad of paper at another kid in the front row. Unfortunately he missed and hit me. so I gave him a couple licks and Ella another teacher came in and started applauding. All the teachers carry sticks here to “mind the children”. Its completely acceptable practice. I can imagine myself trying to run for public office in the future and my opponent bringing up the fact that I beat children in Africa. Wednesday Omar, one of the kids, was walking around with the deflated soccer ball on his head while a crowd of other kids followed in his wake chanting and singing. After doing a couple laps of the field they came over to where I was sitting and Omar put the ball/crown on my head and they stood in a circle around me and chanted. Later they ditched the ball and were all singing and keeping rhythm by hitting broken water bottles, pill bottles, and bottle caps with sticks and singing.

Tuesday I went to the Shree Hindu Mandal Ujamaa Charitable Dispensary to get a malaria smear and some cream for my ringworm. Ringworm in a fungal infection of the skin and not parasitic worms as some may believe. The hospital itself was surprisingly clean and nice. As the name suggests it was run mainly by Indians. I got the smear and after waiting a half hour for the results I was ushered into the nurse/doctor’s office. I sat down in the chair in front of the desk and the women behind the desk say very slowly and softly, “be thankful…very thankful…there is no malaria.” She acted as though she were telling me I didn’t have cancer. she then commenced to explain very carefully about wearing bug repellant, about these net things that I guess your supposed to sleep under (oh, is that what they’re for. I though they were dream catchers to keep out evil spirits and malignant ancestors), and questioned whether I was on any preventative malaria medication. She treated me as though she thought that I was deathly afraid of contracting malaria and entirely ignorant as to how to prevent it. I guess she gets this impression from white people in general. After being released from her office I took a look at my receipt and say that I had been charged 1000 Tsh for “consulting fees”. Rip-off.

Have been running very little this week. Partly because I want to rest for kili this coming week. However I have also hurt a muscle in my leg. Its right on the inside of my shin bone on my left leg. It swells up and aches during and for a few minutes after running. After doing some research I have concluded it is the soleus m. there seems to be no way to stretch it so letting it rest is the only option.

Finally ran out of toothpaste this week so I have been using my new Whitedent. Three in one striped toothpaste; advanced long lasting protection formula with free toothbrush inside. Blue toothpaste keeps your breath Ultra Fresh, white toothpaste gives you strong white teeth, and red toothpaste with LLP-3 formulas provides long lasting protection. the box says this toothbrush is “New Improved” and the other side of the box hails it as “Revolutionary, toothpaste with LLP3 formula.” Directions for use: “Use twice daily for strong teeth, fresh breath, and healthy gums. Use with Whitedent toothbrush for effective cleaning, brush for at least one minute. Do not swallow-spit and rinse after use. Children under six years should brush under adult supervision and use only a pea sized amount. Visit your dentist regularly.” I think the visit your dentist regularly is a catch all. “what? Out toothbrush caused your teeth to turn black and then fall out of your mouth? You should have visited your dentist regularly, we put it on the box.”