Friday, July 20, 2012

Random thoughts while I prepare for Africa

Did you know that Hippos are considered the most dangerous animal throughout Africa? They are huge and can apparently bite you in half and kill almost 3,000 people every year...


 Yes, that is just one of the many random things I've been thinking about as I get ready to leave. I know this most likely will not happen to me but seriously I can just imagine a newspaper article saying PC volunteer dies by Hippo. Okay not funny I know but still I can't help it.


More random thoughts:


-I used to LOVE watching the movie Anacondas and thought I really wasn't bothered by snakes. That is until I got up close and personal with some snakes at work and realized I would run screaming into the night if I ever saw a snake by my house in Africa. (We'll see how that turns out since it's going to happen...)


-Twice this week we had wasps/hornets in my classroom at work and I freaked...some coworkers pointed out that if I'm scared of those wasps how am I going to survive African Killer Bees? I still have no answer for that


-I'm really going to miss frozen yogurt (froyo) and I highly doubt they have that in Africa


-You are going to laugh...but I'm honestly scared I'm going to fall into the Pit Latrine one time.




 Now that you've laughed at all my recent fears and thoughts I'll update you with what I've been doing (besides researching dangerous animals). I've been trying to devote a few minutes each day to practicing Portuguese and listening to how it sounds.  I feel like I've gotten better with the greetings and farewells. But obviously still need lots of practice before I feel sufficient enough in speaking Portuguese. All that's left is buying some random items on my packing list, practicing the language and of course cherishing my time left at home with family and friends and eating lots of froyo!


Tenha um bom dia! (Have a good day!)


P.S. Hope you got a good laugh out of the hippos fact...if you want to read about it here's a website.
Africa's Most Dangerous Animals