Will you marry me?!?!

This last week, things have been going just swimmingly! The weather hasn't gotten too much hotter, and when it starts to verge on unbearable, a nice thunderstorm roles through and quickly cools everything off. The hospital remains on the quiet side (everyone would still rather be out working in the fields), though there are always a bunch of kids who have had a run-in with a mosquito or two and now have malaria, which keeps things interesting! This past week, for whatever reason, it seems that we have all had a number of marriage proposals. While Americans may only be proposed to once or twice in their lives, that's not the case here!

Let me start by saying that they way Tanzanians view their families is very different. While we are very clear about who is/isn't our biological relative, they consider almost everyone their family. So even if someone is a cousin or brother-in-law, they refer to them as their brother or sister. And throw multiple moms into the mix (polygamy is very common) - family dynamics get pretty crazy! Seems like everyone is related to everyone, so we've just stopped trying to keep track! I guess we should take it as a compliment that all the hospital workers want us to marry one of their "brothers." One nurse in particular has introduced us to at least 3 or 4 brothers! Even though we tell them that we have a boyfriend or husband at home, they insist that we should have one for Tanzania too! They think we're crazy for wanting a monogamous relationship! One time, we thought we'd be funny and say that you couldn't just marry one of us, but had to take all three of us as wives. The plan backfired on us when the guy readily agreed and we had to politely decline! I have started to tell people that I do have a Tanzanian boyfriend. His name is Blessing, very cute and is the son of one of the nurses we work with...he's also 3 months old! When all else fails, we tell them that we will only marry them if we are allowed to have multiple husbands. So far, no one's gone for that...though we promise to send out invites if there's gonna be a wedding in Kowak!!

P.S. I survived my first mosquito bite!! I was bitten 10 days ago (that's how long it takes for malaria to develop after being bitten) and no signs or symptoms.........yet!!!!!!

P.P.S. After writing this blog, We stopped by the Hospital on the way home from dinner, and we were standing around talking with the nurses. One of their husbands walked in and we were all introduced. His wife (one of the nurses), then proceeded to tell Stephanie that he could be her husband too, she could be wife #3! We all pretended that we didn't understand what they were saying (usually our first line of defense). When it became painfully clear what they were saying, poor Steph had to politely say no, with back up support from Rach and I. They didn't quite get the hint, because the nurse is waiting for Steph's answer tomorrow!!! Please note that the husband was quietly standing there the whole time...just a little awkward!!! So different!