Firstly, I didn’t know I was obsessed until I visited Namibia. But it’s a very Western trait. We only ever have one foot in the present and the other in the future. The scary thing is that we don’t realise it. However, we find comfort and security in knowing what is coming next whether it be our next meal, our commitments, our daily and weekly plans.
Perhaps you think you’re not obsessed but I bet you know what you will be doing and when you will be doing it on most days. It’s so ingrained in us, we simply dont think about it.
It’s different in Africa. people live much more in the moment and are more accepting of delays, plan changes and a loose adherence to agreed times. I found this very tricky to adapt to. So here are some tips.
Lunch is simply the next time you eat after breakfast – it will not necessarily be between 12 and 2.
Estimates of how long journeys take are likely to be wildly optimistic. African colleagues know it will take as long as it takes so simply guess to make you feel better.
Most events will start much later than expected, last longer and involve speeches
In Rwanda, never go to a restaurant when you are hungry. It will take 1-2 hours to prepare your food.
So if you want to keep your stress levels low, try hard to keep both feet in the present and go with the flow. It will be harder than you think
Old Runyoro saying, “Muzungus (white people) have the watches but we have the time!”
2 Comments
stephen myerscough · 24th March 2019 at 7:50 am
The practice of Mindfulness is becoming popular, even fashionable, among us ‘Muzungus’.
This old Runyoro saying encapsulates the concept beautifully!
Margaret Thomson · 25th March 2019 at 4:29 am
Absolutely. One of the reasons that I keep returning to Africa is that I always learn more than I teach!