Circle of Friends

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On the way back, a circle of guys called to Pius and asked us to come over.  One of them spoke English very well but the rest not so much.  We shook hands with all of them, which was kind of annoying ‘cuz there were like seven.  They asked us where we were from and what we were doing here.  They told us that it’s customary to greet everyone when you sit down to talk.

 

They offered us gin.  I don’t drink so I said no thank you.  Andrew actually doesn’t drink either, which surprised me, but was totally the truth, and so he said no as well.  Pius also didn’t drink.  So there was no gin had.  I think we probably offended them, but we weren’t trying to be rude, we honestly just didn’t drink between the three of us.  I hate alcohol, Andrew can’t drink on this trip, and Pius doesn’t drink hardly ever at all.

 

They asked us if we wanted a girl for the evening.  I had actually thought earlier about how sweaty and dirty I felt and how the worst thing in the world would be touching another person who was sweaty and dirty, so I quickly said no.  Andrew shrugged his shoulders and said, “Sure?”  And they all went wild and said that he was a man.  I didn’t know if they were serious or not.  It kind of seemed it, though I hoped to god they were joking.  They talked about how we had to make hybrid children because they’re stronger than single-race children.  It sounded serious.  It was strange.  A lot of girls offered to marry us.  Pius told me, “The young girls are feelin’ you, Jeff.”  Girls my age never like me.  They all liked Andrew.  God.

 

When we left, Pius asked permission first.  That’s what you do in Africa before you leave, and then they said yes, so we shook hands again and said goodbye.  We talked to Pius about how we don’t drink and asked him to tell them later so they wouldn’t be offended.