Walking to Town(Moshi)

So, I have started coming to town much more often to take care of work. We used to just lay on the grass, eating bananas, washing our clothes in big tubs of soapy water, testing one anothers swahili, and counting down the hours, until its appropriate to venture across the street (rocky dirt road) to join our local friends for a cold Safari- yes, I've moved on to a different beer. 5.5% alchohol, and less than a dollar for more than a pint. Between the ugali and lager, my body is definetly changing! Now, I strap on my chacoes, put my hair up, pack my batik bag, and start walking down rocky dusty roads with the sun beating down, and Tanzanian children running up to you asking "what is your name" holding your hand and skipping down the road with you. African children are always smiling, and always friendly, and always trying to touch-talk-lick-play with you.One of our favorites is Henry. Henry is crosseyed, doesn't know much english, and very reserved. He is thirteen yrs old, but has the body and mannerisms of probably a seven year old. He waits for us at the bar, and asks us to buy him a pop when we get there. How could you resist?! He looks at us with these eyes that look every which way, and is so calm. He's started walking us to the track where we run. Ben tells him that he's the coach, and I dont know if he knows what that means, but I think he likes the attention. Dont worry, I have a great picture of Henry to share when I get back.
The rest of the way to town is hot and dusty. Constantly trying to maneuver between the huge holes in the road, dodge cars, bicycles, and dalla dallas. Dalla dallas are one of the many spectacles of Africa. Basically, its a white van, that is always filled BEYOND capacity. There's usually at least threee heads hanging out the windows, occasionally some chickens, everyone is sitting on top of one another, and if youre lucky- you'll get to ride for a hole hour in one of these with a goat in between your legs(which is what one of my friends got to witness). Oh- and I dont know how I forgot this, but African women still carry EVERYTHING on their head! Literally everything- I saw a woman carrying an entire full sized wooden bed frame on her way to town yesterday. Once you get close, people begin harassing you much more, not my favorite aspect of living here, but I will talk more about that later. As for now, I must sign off. I only have five min left at the inet cafe, and there's a good chance it will take the whole time or more just to publish this post.
Salama