breakfast today was fried potatoes, sausage, ham, eggs, pineapple, bananas, millet porridge, beans, toast, juice, chai. no, i did not eat all of those, but prett close. i am trying to eat things that will keep my blood pressure up and vitamin levels happy. so, i had a large serving of beans, a banana, some pineapple, and small amounts of sausage, toast, and potato. i understand why we gain weight now. humongous, delicious meals, class all day )= sitting), and tea/cookie breaks in between. of course, this is a very upscale guest house that we are staying at this week, but i think the lots-of-food/little-exercise thing applies everywhere. lunch today was mikala [i think] (potatos corn spinach), mixed vegetables, fried fish, sauteed chicken, bread rolls, fresh fruit, beef stew, and rice. water. apparently americans drink infinitely more water than africans (to which i respond that we probably consume more of everything, save the potato mix i mentioned earlier). but, it is true. i have been drinking water constantly, mostly as an attempt to keep my temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure stable. everything is very new and exciting, and my health is consequently out of whack, to put it scientifically. i fell asleep at eight pm last night and woke up at three thirty a.m., ready for the day. i am also pretty shaky and find that y heart starts to beat very quickly for no apparent reason once in a while. but i figure that being in such a truly foreign land for the first time, with people i do not know very well, can do that to you. lots of sleep, daily multivitamins, lots of fruits and proteins, liters of water, and keeping a positive outlook should be the perfect remedy-- at least, that is my professional opinion.
we are being immersed in swahili very quickly, with six hours of constant lessons daily (plus we practice with each other). it is a simpler language than english, but in no way easy (at first). when i do not focus very hard, everything sounds the same. the teachers are wonderful, incredibly friendly and helpful. i also have better hygiene here than at home.. probably because i have more to worry about, but it is still funny. i will update more when i write more in my journal (was interrupted on the last entry by having to go back to class).
hope you are all well.
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