'M'e Tsita, the small sweet principal of Ngoana Jesu High School, shuffled up to me this afternoon and asked, "Ntate Greg, can I expel you from school? You can come back Friday morning."
I instantly knew what this was all about. I've always had a problem with stealing. Not true. Fact is, my school and village consist of generous and festive people, and they are putting together a farewell party for me on Friday.
On Monday and Tuesday school was shut down midday so everyone could begin cooking and choreographing and sewing dresses and otherwise preparing themselves. I'd wander over to the music and chatter and hear, "Hey! What do you want here? You'll see it all on Friday. Go, go!"
Today, Wednesday, school shut down after only a couple periods. I was told classes would resume after the weekend. That's when our principal came to me with the strange request. "We would like it to be a surprise for you on Friday," she explained. So I called my Peace Corps supervisors and asked if I could stay in the capital for a few days. They laughed but accepted. Here I am, wondering what's in the pots back at school and excited like a child for Friday to get here.