Package Pandemonium

Entry via Letter

There must be a shout-out to all those who are fighting for my sanity and sugar withdrawal on the home front. First, thank-you-vivid reader of my blog, for procrastinating whatever activity you were productively performing (studying, putting pointless car parts on to a car feeding the cat) to stop and read my blog. By reading about my experience with African culture you are helping me teach and bring the culture home to you. This is one of Peace Corps goals, and your avid viewership helps me fulfill it.

Second, a monumental thanks to all you who send me letters. I love to read them. I love to write quirky responses. Giving me news and pictures from home helps me stay informed and keeps the home sickness at bay, thank-you!

Finally, to all you dedicated senders of packages, I must publically declare for both you and the contents of your gifts my undying love, and also the delight of the students who have also benefitted from the contents.

Lillian Swenka, Jeanna Bryant and crew sent me a surprise package that arrived just before Thanksgiving, containing pictures (!) and Halloween candy and treats. When my student and I opened this package we immediately ate the entire package of double stuffed Oreos and bag of candy corn, and thus learned an important lesson “when one eats America food, one becomes very sick”. I personally felt that it was WORTH IT. A large hit in the package were the pictures that I hung on my wall. My friends Jeanna and John became instant celebrities because of their dogs – full bread Great Danes Wyatt and Evey, who appear in many photos. Students now ask if these dogs are used in farming, if all dogs in America are that big, and if Jeanna can bring her dogs to visit. Students also got a taste of American culture through the Halloween-theme package when they saw pictures of Pumpkin carvings and flipped through the Halloween book – amazed and slightly appalled that American children dressed like “hooligans” and then had the audacity to ask people for candy. They were even more surprised when I told them most people gave them candy. The package was a delicious learning experience for us all, and I’m personally thankful for my crew at home for thinking about me! ☺

My beautiful niece Alexa and her extremely intelligent caregivers sent me package number 2 – which arrived on a “Christmas-like” day when I received 3 packages. Pictures of my brother’s family already hang throughout my house- my students and mama’s alike are always shocked that my “poor brother” only has one daughter (instead of 6) – yet the wizened nurses at the dispensary applaud the great example of “American family planning”. This package was anther learning experience as I was able to explain the tradition of stockings, ornaments, and snowmen – which Alexa had drawn on a Christmas card with a thought bubble stating – “I would rather be in Tanzania!” All of the candy was swiftly hidden by one student when another cam knocking on my door (“teacher you must hide the candy or we will have to share”) and even the Hy-Vee sacks that were used as packing materials became prized (you have to pay for plastic bags here!). One of the most thoughtful gifts was a ball of yarn and collar for my cat Pepsi. The minute I lifted if from the box she must have known it was hers, because she grabbed it in her mouth and leaped off the table-running to a corner of the room where she proceeded to rip it apart – and growl ominously at anyone with the nerve to walk within 3 feet of her and her gift. Thought the package made me miss not spending Charismas at my brother’s house with his family, the prized contents of the package will hang in my room until next X-mas!

My grandparents sent package number 4, the contents of which I feared had suffered damage since the box was badly battered. I soon was at ease though as when I opened the thread of tape holding it shut and saw my grandma’s card and Christmas picture smiling back at me. In a country where towels are expensive and extremely hard to find, she had sent me enough to last me the next two years. Though my students didn’t understand why I got so excited over towels when there was a stack of pipi marekani (American candy) left in the box – I knew Grandma was thoughtful as always when she packed the box. Probably the most prized part of the gift was the small oatmeal container – the vessel of choice when Grandma delivers cookies – a rare glance is usually sited right after the delivery of such cookies, before they disappear to a location only known by my father. Miraculously, each of the sugar – cookies had survived the trip to Tanzania and they were delicious! After putting away our gigs and sitting down to tea with these cookies, my student banged his glass down on the table and stated “God bless Bibi Manekani (American grandmother) for sending biscoti Marekani (cookies)”. He followed this up by asking when my Grandma was coming to Tanzania to visit. The cookies, candies, towels, and other treats were all hidden in a secure location, and my Grandparents picture hangs on my wall for all to see, all impressed and shocked when I tell them my Grandparents are both 85 and 86.

The final package was mostly celebrated by me – as it contained products essential to my personal hygiene. One student claimed that my parents “didn’t like me as much” as my brother’s family and grandparents because everything they sent was an indication that my parents “do not approve of your overall cleanliness”. Oh if they only knew. My parents also sent my sharpie collection, which even now is at work making time-tables and posters for the up-coming school year. My parents are constantly keeping up my sanity behind-the-scenes, posting my blogs and updating me on American politics once a week – I wouldn’t be the same here without their love and support.

To become a part of package pandemonium, the membership is simple – cram items into small box, take to post office – mail. For those already dedicated members you again have my deepest heartfelt thanks, your letters and packages give me that little taste of home that I miss every now and then when I’m defending my candy from rats or scratching mosquito bites. Thank-you!