Privileged is the best word

I have used the word 'Privileged' so many times since I have been here, but it's entirely appropriate. Most nights I lie in bed and think 'did that really happen?' Most things here, even the small things, are one off moments that you can never repeat. 

Today, after a Big Baby shift, I went to the house of one of the mamas. We took 2 dalla dalla's, and... after much persuasion and reassurance... A MOTORBIKE. I have spent the past 2 weeks telling the mama how I am afraid of them, how I don't like them, and next I am sandwiched between her and the driver, holding on for dear life over the bumpy roads. That was the first time I have ever sat on a motorbike... hey, it's all about new experiences, so I won't guarantee it will be the last... 

Arriving at the mamas house, we were greeted by her husband and two beautiful children. Her 'front room/lounge' is pretty big compared to others I have seen, there was seating for 8 and plenty of space for the children to play with the Toy Story bowling set we had brought. She was soo apologetic that she had no floor, which was amusing! (it was just bumpy concrete, they had recently moved in). She proudly showed us her photo album, which has wedding pictures, pictures from her husbands graduation, and a picture of me and her together at the Baby Home! I'm pretty honoured!!! The house was up on a hill so the views were incredible, the environment peaceful, and I so full of thoughts about how amazing the afternoon was that I was speechless and at one point asked if I was happy... I couldn't have been any more happy! 

We decided to leave as we realised the sun was lowering, and the mama held my hand for the entire 40 minute walk back to the dalla dalla stand. This in itself I would describe as a privilege, as you see same sex people holding hands often and is a sign of friendship. 

Upon my return, two volunteers returned from shift with a gift for me, from a mama who was about to start a night shift. Apparently she was really sad that I wasn't at the Baby Home tonight to give me this gift herself. I had seen this mama at 6am as she was working last night, and in the middle of a Swahili conversation about work she had asked me if I liked fish. I answered yes and figured my Swahili had obviously broken down and caused a communication issue, and thought nothing more of it. You've guessed it, my gift is a full, frozen, gutted fish! I can only smile widely at this.. as random as it maybe to us Mzungu's, this mama has given me a gift. Privileged is the right word isn't it :-)