The Proposal

I have still yet to believe in whether or not love at first sight exists.

I believe there is attraction at first sight but for me love is much deeper than bulging biceps and man buns. 

One week ago, on November 9^th, I could have been someone’s missus.

I was walking back to In Movement with my youth from the trading center when all of a sudden I get a tap on the shoulder. 

Now let me note something.  This is no Cinderella story and the man was most definitely not Prince Charming.

This man was very light skinned, compared to your average Ugandan and I actually believe he might have been from Somalia or Ethiopia.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with Somalis or Ethiopians, but the more time I have passed in the UG, the more I am attracted to darker skinned men.

Don’t worry white men… You are just as high on the list.  Especially if you have bulging biceps and a man bun.

See above.

This man also had terrible teeth.

Now I know.  I live in a developing country.  Access to dental care is minimal but come on man… You can find a toothbrush and toothpaste for just around a dollar. 

One of the most annoying things I find is how men here simply declare their love for you without even knowing your name.

At lest this guy had the decency to greet me, shake my hand, not call me muzungu, and ask what my name was.

I followed at proper cultural protocol and soon discovered his name, age, where he was coming from and where he was going. 

All very standard questions upon meeting someone.

I could have asked about whether he had children, again very standard, but I decided to see where the conversation was going.

I assumed he would ask me about In Movement and our programs but I was wrong.

So wrong.

“Tara.  Do you have a ‘insert inaudible words here.’”

“Ehh.  Mmmm.”  In English that would translate to, “kind of, yes.”  This was all accompanied by a very confused face.

“I am asking… Are you with ‘insert inaudible words here.’”

“No.  Sorry…”

At this point I thought maybe he wanted money.

“Oh great!  Since you do not have a husband you will marry me please.  Let us go together.”

“Oh sorry bambi.  I was mistaken Ssebo.  I do have a husband.  He is in America and will actually be traveling here to accompany me when I leave.  Nice time.”

Bambi: Expresses empathy.

Ssebo: Sir. 

Nice time: Absolutely appropriate way to end a conversation.

All of this happened in a flash and while I was out to fend for myself while bodas buzzed by, my youth were looking on simply laughing.

As we left the proposal scene they kept exclaiming, “Tara you should have taken him!  Then you would stay in Uganda forever with us!”

Yeah.  I would rather stay in Uganda alone with my youth. 

I got this single parent thing on lockdown!