Katete/Mfuwe

The next day in Katete we road ox-carts to Benson's house (the chef at Tikondane and friend of professor) who is a fabulous cook.  Imagine 2 oxen attached to a wooden cart with two car tires with a car frame/axel underneath - very clever.  We watched the sunset as we bumped along on a dirt road.  While riding, Leslie pulled out her polaroid camera and took a 'now now' shot of Benson's son who is in his twenties.  When she showed him the polaroid photo he giggled, and couldn't stop.  It is one of my favorite moments during this trip so far.  He'd look away from the photo for a moment, then when glancing back down at it would uncontrollably giggle like he had never seen a photo of himself.  We laughed along with him (me crying I was laughing so hard) and there went the ox cart full of giggling Mzungus down the dirt road to Benson's house!
About 100 small kids greeted us as we pulled into Benson's village, holding our hands as we swung them between us as we walked around the village.  After our tour we returned to Benson's house where we sat outside in chairs wile the kids surrounded us sitting on the ground and sang to us many children songs (loudly!) We were then expected to perform a song for them in retrun - so we sang "Itsy Bitsy Spider", "UR my Sunshine," "Twinkle Twinkle" and "Row your Boat."  It was pitch black the whole time, we couldn't see a thing, only the shapes of the sea of children in front of us in the darkness. Turning our flashlights on seemed to hurt their eyes, so we let our eyes adjust to the dark as their eyes have.
Next we had a FEAST.  The food was tons better than what we've had so far, because it was made with love and care, with a nice table setting and fresh cold water (!) It is hot here (80-90 degrees)

After dinner we rode in the ox cart back to "Tiko" our lodging, admiring the huge black sky above us with more stars than I've ever seen.  It is amazing when there are no lights obscuring the view from the ground.  We prepared for our last day in Tikondane that evening, the community is throwing us a party in the afternoon.  I saw the dead goat in the kitchen so I will NOT be partaking in that part of the celebration!  We are expected to perform so we've created a skit to the "Lion King" song (In the jungle the mighty jungle...the lion sleeps tonight...) It's super cute and will not doubt make everyone laugh.  They are big on performing here, and we dance for every occasion!