I’m fine, how are you?

Walking between the office and the center we pass many people who are socializing, carrying water or other supplies, herding animals, working, or just playing. Tricia explained that it was customary for foreigners to be the first to greet people you pass or see while walking – and there are a LOT of people to greet. Megan and I quickly picked up "habari ya yako" and "habari zenu", the greetings, and "nzuri!" the response. Small children run up and say "how are YOU?" to which we reply "I'm fine, how are YOU?" to their delight and they follow with the question "how are YOU?" This goes on for a while. Very Constant Gardener.

Other volunteers and Tricia know many people and a walk with them always involves a stop to chat with someone about their homework or family or plans for the day. People are excited to meet me and Megan and remember our names when we see them later in the day. (I wish I could do the same!)

As we walk, young men approach and ask who we are and where are we going. (I think all of the young women are already busy at home with babies – I just heard about a 17 year old girl with two children already.) A lot of them are familiar with the Center or know others who work there, so we'll be given messages to pass along. They want to know where we are from and how long we'll be here and what do we think of Takaungu. One asked if I would marry him and take him to America so he could become a professional football player. Once he learned my age, he asked if I had a younger sister in America….I'm hoping this will be an uncommon occurrence.