1. Kids have a wider circle of roaming safely since everyone knows who the two white kids belong to, and kidnapping is not an issue here.
2. We have an amazing garden and view of Lake Victoria that would add an astronomical price to any house in the USA, but here it's not even a factor in the rent. Trivia point: Lake Victoria is approximately the same size as Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg all together.
A view from our backyard. The smoke is actually a cloud of lakeflies.3. Fresh produce! Our avocado tree has great fruit right now on it (and yes, avocados are considered fruit here), and the local market is only 1/2 mile away where I can get fresh produce as often as I like. Local pineapple, mango, bananas, tomatoes, etc! No need to remind any Tanzanian to "Eat Local."
Here's one day's take of fruit from our garden this spring: passion fruit, oranges, and guavas.4. Oh, this one's great! I don't have to pick up after my dog when I take her walking/running! People would think I was absolutely insane if I picked up after her. I can only imagine what they would think I would do with her poop after picking it up. Plus she can be off leash all the time.
5. No need for heaters or air conditioners. The windows are open almost all the time.
6. No traffic here in Musoma. Dirt roads take care of that.
7. You never know when you'll spot a fun critter outside: hedgehogs, monitor lizards, tropical birds, monkeys, mongooses, and chameleons to name a few. In the effort to remain positive I'll not mention the MANY unfun critters.
Me with a chameleon on the end of a stick.8. Only one season of clothes to wear, so no cycling wardrobes in and out, and we never have to deal with dressing ourselves or kids in mittens, socks, boots, coats, warm hats, etc.
9. The simple life. Need a haircut? Meet me on the back porch with the scissors or clippers. Want some fresh flowers? Grab the snippers and step outside. Entertainment? Family game night. Home repairs? Get Dusty and his toolbox.
10. No need for the zoo; we have:
