You know you're back in rural Africa when. . .

Scott is pulling Michael's stitches out.  On the airstrip.  With a pair of pliers.

your roommate tells you she's duct taping the backpack that rats chewed through on her shelf.

you are once again accustomed to the permanent sheen of sunscreen, sweat, and dirt that is your outer coating.

there's lizard poo on your desk, on the floor, hanging from the wall . . .

you have to slash down the jungle that has inhabited your former garden site because three venomous snakes have been killed in your tukul (hut) over the last two months.

working late at the office means coming home with 100 mosquito bites on the exposed part of your legs, and ducking for the bats that like to hang out in the hall walkway.

the dog licks the entire surface area of both of your legs.  Not out of love of you.  But out of love of your salt.

you get to eat with your fingers instead of utensils, and boiled ground nuts are your favorite snack.

they sing a welcome song for you at church as you stand up to greet everyone.

going to the bathroom after church involves entering a 3 and a 1/3 sided grass enclosure with no door where the opening faces the church compound and the oft frequented footpath that leads to it. (Not to mention the fact that your underwear are stuck to you from sweat, you're balancing on some stones, and you've got a big bag under one arm.)  Because that's not awkward!!!!

It's GREAT to be back!