24 1 / 2013
very fat fat
Yesterday a man in a truck drove up to me while I was walking to the butchery in my village. He said hello, then told me I was “getting so fat now.” and needed to “find something to comfort you besides food”. I have to say that this Motswana man was very overweight himself, and had a pretty impressive beer belly.
I don’t know why people in this culture think it’s appropriate to tell me I am gaining weight or look fat. Especially when it’s not even true! For the past three weeks I have done an Insanity workout every night and lost 3 kgs! I am serious about my weight loss. Yes I have gained weight since I came to Botswana, but now I am losing it, and at a healthy BMI again.
I know calling someone fat doesn’t have the same connotations here as it does in America. But god I was so pissed off! Every time I walk around the village someone either asks me for money, or tells me I’m fat. Both are so rude in American culture. Some days I can just laugh this off and tell people “I don’t have money, I’m a volunteer” or “The food is just so good in Botswana!”. But today I just can’t. Argh. Time to go away for the weekend. I just need to get out.
