Its not easy being Mzungu

I really had no idea how white I was.  It doesnt matter if I'm one of the tanner people at home, here I am a mzungu (ma-zune-goo).  Mzungu just means white person, and its not a derogatory thing at all, just a statement, something to call the random white person to their face or just in conversation.  


Its interesting though, all the different reactions you get from people wherever you go.  I think there are three main camps when it comes to opinions on mzungus and then a special category. 


1.  There are the people who think you are funny and something to make fun of when you pass them on the street (usually a group of guys my age or a little older).  Its easy to make fun of you because you obviously have absolutely no idea whats really going on even when you are getting used to things.  So the interaction looks something like this: they you see you coming and start smiling, then when you pass they start laughing and talking, sometimes you catch the word mzungu and you definitely know they are laughing at you.  But really, its normal and nbd. 


2.  Then there are the people who think mzungus are the coolest people in the world.  Their mindset is that if you are white you must have money and connections to visas in the US.  This group includes the boda-boda drivers who shout "mzungu I love you!" "mzungu, marry me!" (decoy rings are great!) to the girls who come up to you and say "Hi, I'm Betty, I've always wanted a mzungu friend, can I have your number?"  Out of all people, this is the most annoying group because its actually great not knowing what people say when they make fun of you. 

3.  Then there is the group of people, mostly children or at least age 16 and under who are just in shock that there is a mzungu in their community that I basically have celebrity status.  Let me tell you, its such a great ego boost walking to school hearing "mzungu bye!" over and over again from all of the cute kids I pass in the morning.  


Then there is the special category of people, mostly older, but this group is only discovered when you start to speak Luganda.  People don't really expect much of you until you greet them in Luganda.  It feels like magic when that happens because their faces instantly light up and are so excited and appreciative that you are willing to learn their language.  Its great.


I now greet two older women (who are friends of my maama's) on my way too and from school everyday as they are sitting out by the road selling their produce and charcoal.  There is also a little girl, probably almost 2 who sits with her dad/grandfather? everyday while he is selling his produce.  She has the cutest voice and its fun to great her in Luganda because she is totally not expecting it.  


So at first, being a mzungu was a little awkward - I had never felt so different in my entire life.  But there is also such a freedom in the fact that I dont have to try and fit in because no matter how hard I try I never will.  


p.s. its the weirdest thing when you are in town and you see another mzungu and your thought process is "what? a mzungu? what are they doing here?"