Mamou, oh how I adore thee. So I think it’s safe to say that this trip to Mamou has been terrible. The girl’s conference went really well and we had a lot of fun and it was pretty good. The girls seem to really enjoy it. I did a presentation with Brienne on HIV/AIDS with a condom demonstration. It went well but the topic is just too big to try to squeeze into an hour and half long session with young girls. (Meanwhile I’m at a training for HIV/AIDS and it is 4 days long) But anyway it well, the girls enjoy it and had many questions and we did a couple activities and it was good. So about girl’s conference each volunteer brought a young girl from their village to get all this awesome information in hopes they will share it with their friends. Hopefully. But some sessions were hard like planning your futures and making action plans because a lot of the younger girls did not know what they wanted to do yet. I was trying to ask the girl from my village why she wanted to go to college and she in return she asked me why she should go to college. As if there was a wrong answer. I think I need to explore that question with her more when I go back to the village.
Right after the conference we had malaria training and it was not one of the bests. It was poorly organized and very un-engaging. And on top of that I was feeling noxious throughout the past three or four days. Yeah not fun. That and being light headed half the time. So it didn’t pass very well. And the sessions really didn’t leave much room for breaks or naps or anything like that.
Now we are having our HIV/AIDS training. It’s going a bit better, the internet finally got fixed, it wasn’t working when we first got here so that’s exciting. Funny story, I’ve been noxious for days and last night I woke up burping. My roommate was talking in her sleep, something about bushrat. She said “bushrat.” I was like bushrat? And then she said it again like agreeing with me yeah bushrat. Next thing I know I starting throwing up. Yucky feeling but kinda funny. After I got that out of my system I’ve been feeling better since. It just sucked I didn’t make it to the bathroom cause I didn’t think it’d come. Oh well. Anyway. Bushrat is the magic word to make me puke. So anyway back to the conference, I brought my host brother and he seems to be enjoying himself. It’s much better than having my official homologue here. So far, this conference is going much better than malaria, even with me puking the other night.
So things at site are going ok. Before I left my site I started working on my big completion of a health post project and silly me left my flash drive with the proposal on it at site. I’ve officially decided that going to the health center twice a week is more than enough because any and all work can be accomplished by going twice a week. I’m going to start going to Labe once a week, because every other volunteer has neighbors but me and I actually found work for me, a DECENT tutor, and a host family (actually two host families) as well in Labe. So everything is covered. But I just need to run this by the village because they aren’t really using me. Apparently it’s still a hard concept to grasp that I am not going to just give them money. Some get it, but not everyone. So the plan for the rest of August is a short vacation to Boke. Then September is Ramadan. I’m not sure exactly what I’m gonna do. I think I should stock up on more food in my house because I won’t really be able to eat with my family. I really would like to try fasting, but realistically I know I’m gonna end up cheating or not being able to hack it for a whole month. I guess I’ll try it. During the month of Ramadan Muslims do not eat during the daylight hours. Throughout the day they fast and neither eat nor drink. So I wouldn’t even be able to drink up some water. That stinks.Grrr. well I’ll try it and see what happens. I plan to plan my sensiblizations for October during that month, including preparations and scheduling and such. Nothing too big or too small. Then I’ll have more paperwork to do so I’ll be pretty busy. I think we might do a trip to see some waterfalls mid September but I’m not too sure and I’m the one planning that event so I should really know. Huh? I still don’t know what I wanna do for my birthday. Like I want to do something but it doesn’t have to be anything big or anything so I think I just might go out dancing with some friends. And of course November Thanksgiving we are gonna try to do a big dinner. I’m looking forward to stuffing. It’d be nice to have instant stuffing. Hmm. Stuffing.
So it’s really hard to believe I’ve been away from home for so long. It’s been 8 months and on December 2, will be a year since I left home and I think December 5th would be a year since I’ve been in Guinea. And that’s like right around the corner. Can you believe it? Cause I can’t, cause I was so close to not coming. Oh I look back and laugh at that.
My host family is doing well. They always always always ask about my family back in the states and whether or not I’ve talked to my mom recently. Actually every time I see them they ask me if I’ve talked to my mom and how my parents are doing. Then they tell me how they are doing and then ask me how I’m doing for the fortieth time. Its always really good to see them. Oh I don’t remember if I wrote this but my host brother Boubacar is doing better. He’s walking and driving again and feels much better, I think they’ve removed his cast already. I was so happy because it really sucks to have to limp everywhere. Everyone is doing ok the host family in Labe is doing ok too. I went to visit them right before this because I hardly find time to visit them when I go into Labe so I made a special trip for them. They were very happy I came to visit and spent an afternoon with them and then walked to Ila’s office which is a walk. But I went with his sister Sali and we talked and joked and stuff. And I hardly really got a chance to talk to her and it was good to connect. What else? My other host family, I haven’t been to see them in a while but i have called them. I find it difficult to visit my host families if I don’t have a schedule already planned out because they never want you to leave. I’ll be like, ok, I’m going go for a walk to use the internet café. And they’ll be like oh I’m going too but I’m not going for another two hours, wait here and eat this bread and we’ll go later. LOL. Uh, ok.
Um I wanted to do a project for like young girls at my site, but like one thing I realized at girl’s conference was that it takes me a while to connect with girls. Like the girls connected with me because I’m a black American so they automatically felt comfortable around me but it wasn’t the same for me. But after the second day it was a lot easier. I really would like to go over everything the girl from my village did at the conference with her and her friends and just get them interested in staying in school and not becoming “Masion Slaves” (a slave to the house) and just learning how to take advantage of opportunities or just try to figure out what they need more help with in order to become successful for themselves.
What else? Well um if anyone wants to send me a package for my birthday coming up soon, I would love that a lot. I’d like something fun, I honestly can’t think of anything right now. Or even a letter would be cool. Maybe some chocolate. Thatd be awesome cause the chocolate here sucks. Its not real chocolate. Yucky. So good chocolate would be awesome to have. And I’d also like a USB drive for backing up my very very important documents in case my computer becomes broken which is inevitable here.
Oh I’d really like guides or study aids for taking the GRE’s. Anything helpful?
OK, that’s all. I miss you all. I can’t believe federer lost, I’m a little shaken up by it and sad I missed that match, I heard it was awesome. Ok, well I miss you, um I’ll be back at site next week.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Return to Site
Finally back at site. Apparently someone did miss me, either that or they missed my money. Sometimes it can be very frustrating but other times very rewarding and right now there are those frustrating times.
Let me explain, i love my community. I live in a small village where everyone knows eeryone and is each other's cousin or brother. I have an amazing host family that treat me as if I'm one of tha family. I work well and have given a lot to the community as it stands. I've given many sacrifices to be here to help and assist them as I a capable to. However it is extremely frustrating to find out that one of my coworkers is taking advantage of me. It's difficult enough to come to a country where you don't know anyone and living amongst people who look at you funny because you dress, look and talk differently than they do. I don't know any better so I ask a coworker to help me fnid soeone to make furniture for my house. And he uses this as an oppurtunity to overcharge me and profit for himself. And of course when the person was finished making the bookcase it was not what i wanted at all and ask him to make another one and this time showed him a photo. And yes he managed to get it wrong again and i complained to my host family and they pointed out that I had paid way too much for what i got in return. And right now I'm outraged cause i noticed he recently purchased himself a nice cute little phone. I'm pretty sure it's from the money he proffitted off of me. So I'm a little ticked off. More sad and disappointed. I'm sad because this is exactly why they have nothing. I'm disappoined because I've been used and i really want to help this communit but i can't if i need to be guarded and feel tat i can not trust them.
I have thought about confronting him and telling him off, there's no need for me to build up my rage. Instead he will learn his lesson the hard way and continue to wonder why he's so poor and why i get to go t America. I guess that could be my sweet revenge. (evil laughter)
Also the week has been a little depressing. My friend's uncle passed. I met this man a couple times and knew he was sick, you just never expect the worse. And i cried a bit while sitting amongst a group of wailing women that i knew and as uncomfortable as i was i geniunely felt their pain.
To make matters worse on the same day my host brother fell off his moto. He fractured his foot and i think his shin as well. He can barely walk and i feel so terrible. Just the other dqy i was trying to prove i can jump higher than him (i didn't manage to though) and now he cant do that anymore. But i think it will heal. I hope so. It's hard to limp around with one leg. I found it funny that the one legged man, Alphoma, came to visit. He had lost his entire leg a little over a year ago because of an moto acident. So what have we learned? Mots are dangerous and you might lose your leg.
Some good news? I have my health. I feel better now emotionally, physically, and mentally. Despite how many times people try to get as much money as they can out of me it's going to come back to them in the end. And I'll be too far away to help. I think I'm gonna spend more time with my host family in my village. They are a decent group of people who take care of me and NEVER ask for anything in return. I do get them things sometimes. They only ake me t stay longer or t eat more or sleep there and take breakfast in te morning. I remember the reason why i didn't want to be there that often because both the brothers had hi on me but that stopped and hae alled me a sister. And have proved to be among the few people i can trust.
After being away from site for nearly a month I didn't get a warm welcome. The doctor I work with yelled at me for not calling. Meanwhile I told him where I was going and why and wen I'd e back. He claaimed a lot of crap but in the end I juust stopped fighting. It wasn't worth it. I did what I had to do and I know I did nothing wrong. Is just the way he was talking to me like i was being dishonest which wasnt the case at all.
Its only been a week and already so much has happened. I was pissed off upon arrival to find my cat was practically starving; And thne hours later arguing with my counterpart. Oh what the hall?
Let me explain, i love my community. I live in a small village where everyone knows eeryone and is each other's cousin or brother. I have an amazing host family that treat me as if I'm one of tha family. I work well and have given a lot to the community as it stands. I've given many sacrifices to be here to help and assist them as I a capable to. However it is extremely frustrating to find out that one of my coworkers is taking advantage of me. It's difficult enough to come to a country where you don't know anyone and living amongst people who look at you funny because you dress, look and talk differently than they do. I don't know any better so I ask a coworker to help me fnid soeone to make furniture for my house. And he uses this as an oppurtunity to overcharge me and profit for himself. And of course when the person was finished making the bookcase it was not what i wanted at all and ask him to make another one and this time showed him a photo. And yes he managed to get it wrong again and i complained to my host family and they pointed out that I had paid way too much for what i got in return. And right now I'm outraged cause i noticed he recently purchased himself a nice cute little phone. I'm pretty sure it's from the money he proffitted off of me. So I'm a little ticked off. More sad and disappointed. I'm sad because this is exactly why they have nothing. I'm disappoined because I've been used and i really want to help this communit but i can't if i need to be guarded and feel tat i can not trust them.
I have thought about confronting him and telling him off, there's no need for me to build up my rage. Instead he will learn his lesson the hard way and continue to wonder why he's so poor and why i get to go t America. I guess that could be my sweet revenge. (evil laughter)
Also the week has been a little depressing. My friend's uncle passed. I met this man a couple times and knew he was sick, you just never expect the worse. And i cried a bit while sitting amongst a group of wailing women that i knew and as uncomfortable as i was i geniunely felt their pain.
To make matters worse on the same day my host brother fell off his moto. He fractured his foot and i think his shin as well. He can barely walk and i feel so terrible. Just the other dqy i was trying to prove i can jump higher than him (i didn't manage to though) and now he cant do that anymore. But i think it will heal. I hope so. It's hard to limp around with one leg. I found it funny that the one legged man, Alphoma, came to visit. He had lost his entire leg a little over a year ago because of an moto acident. So what have we learned? Mots are dangerous and you might lose your leg.
Some good news? I have my health. I feel better now emotionally, physically, and mentally. Despite how many times people try to get as much money as they can out of me it's going to come back to them in the end. And I'll be too far away to help. I think I'm gonna spend more time with my host family in my village. They are a decent group of people who take care of me and NEVER ask for anything in return. I do get them things sometimes. They only ake me t stay longer or t eat more or sleep there and take breakfast in te morning. I remember the reason why i didn't want to be there that often because both the brothers had hi on me but that stopped and hae alled me a sister. And have proved to be among the few people i can trust.
After being away from site for nearly a month I didn't get a warm welcome. The doctor I work with yelled at me for not calling. Meanwhile I told him where I was going and why and wen I'd e back. He claaimed a lot of crap but in the end I juust stopped fighting. It wasn't worth it. I did what I had to do and I know I did nothing wrong. Is just the way he was talking to me like i was being dishonest which wasnt the case at all.
Its only been a week and already so much has happened. I was pissed off upon arrival to find my cat was practically starving; And thne hours later arguing with my counterpart. Oh what the hall?
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Back to site!
It's been three weeks andI'm finally going back to site! Ahh. I can't believe it, so this will be the last you'll hear from me in a while. Say goodbye to hot water, good cell phone coverage, internet, movies, tv for that matter, electricity, lightbulbs, indoor bathrooms and the list goes on. A tear!
But anyway my address if anyone wants to send a letter or a package here's my address, thanks and take care and happy independence day.
Kimberly PCV
Corps de la Paix
B. P. 1927
Conakry, Guinea
West Africa
But anyway my address if anyone wants to send a letter or a package here's my address, thanks and take care and happy independence day.
Kimberly PCV
Corps de la Paix
B. P. 1927
Conakry, Guinea
West Africa
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Finally leaving Senegal
Ok, i know it's a little corny but i wrote a poem about my daily activities. It's supposed to be like a day in the life of, it was supposed to rhyme but i gave that up in the second line.
My days begin at seven in the morning.
If it’s not my cat purring in my face, I wake up to the sounds of my neighbors hard at work in the fields.
I rise, wash my face, brush my teeth and seize the day
As I head out on the path toward my centre de sante.
People come, people go.
On jaaraama, Tana alaa, Jam tun.
Nene comes expecting another child and vaccinating her enfants.
I see how far along they are with their pregnancy and weigh their enfants as well.
There’s much to be done at the health center each day;
Murals to be painted, shots to be given, medicine to be received.
At noon, less people come and tea is served.
Tea is served with more sugar than I can stand.
I return home to prepare my lunch and feed my cat.
I continue to do household chores and return to the health center at 15.
Sometimes I eat dinner there or sometimes it’s to get updates.
At 17 it’s about time to study and visit my host family.
I walk a short route to greet my host family.
A jaaraama, Tana Alaa, No marsedee seeda.
The evening continues in Pular, French and sometime English.
I help prepare the sauce to mix with the pot full of rice and of course eat as many mangoes as possible.
I’m tired by 21 or at least ready to call it a night and return home.
From my host family sometimes I like to go to the boutique to charge my phone.
But the majority of the time I’m too tired and I need to get my rest.
I return to my dark masion and the company of my cat.
I light a small kerosene lantern to read my book as I nod off to sleep.
This is a typical day in my village but every day is not the same.
My days begin at seven in the morning.
If it’s not my cat purring in my face, I wake up to the sounds of my neighbors hard at work in the fields.
I rise, wash my face, brush my teeth and seize the day
As I head out on the path toward my centre de sante.
People come, people go.
On jaaraama, Tana alaa, Jam tun.
Nene comes expecting another child and vaccinating her enfants.
I see how far along they are with their pregnancy and weigh their enfants as well.
There’s much to be done at the health center each day;
Murals to be painted, shots to be given, medicine to be received.
At noon, less people come and tea is served.
Tea is served with more sugar than I can stand.
I return home to prepare my lunch and feed my cat.
I continue to do household chores and return to the health center at 15.
Sometimes I eat dinner there or sometimes it’s to get updates.
At 17 it’s about time to study and visit my host family.
I walk a short route to greet my host family.
A jaaraama, Tana Alaa, No marsedee seeda.
The evening continues in Pular, French and sometime English.
I help prepare the sauce to mix with the pot full of rice and of course eat as many mangoes as possible.
I’m tired by 21 or at least ready to call it a night and return home.
From my host family sometimes I like to go to the boutique to charge my phone.
But the majority of the time I’m too tired and I need to get my rest.
I return to my dark masion and the company of my cat.
I light a small kerosene lantern to read my book as I nod off to sleep.
This is a typical day in my village but every day is not the same.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Pictures
Hey whats up. I had some spare time so I thought I'd post up some old photos from training. It wasn't too long ago but it feels like forever ago. But it's just a short stroll through memory lane.
So here we are I think this was New Year's Day in front of the bureau getting ready to play some soccer and eat some sheep. lol.
Here's a monkey. Isn't he cute?
The women tend to carry large starngely shaped objects solely on their heads. Check this one out. I've tried I can do it but I use an arm to hold it in place. i think it takes a lot of practice.
aww this is so cute. This was at the airport in JFk before we left. It's me, Astrid, Adam and Ciara. Peace!
Here we are at the end of Staging. We had no idea what we were in for.
Here's a good view of a "bush taxi" I hope you can see how much is piled up on top of this tiny little wagon. Surprisingly it gets more ridiculous than that.
Here's another bush taxi not only is this one loaded with stuff, you've also got some people on top as well as people inside the car.
Not the best market photo but here's a few small fish vendors. The fish just sits there.
This isn't from training. Me Ila and Alpha at the computer center where I've started teaching English to their students.
I love this pic, this is me with my host family. From left to right it's Ila, Wodey, oumou, moi, and Boubacar.
awww this is g15 when we first arrived to Conakry. We look so young and clean. lol.
Me and Astrid. That girl is awesome she needs to move her site closer to mine.
Signs
So here we are I think this was New Year's Day in front of the bureau getting ready to play some soccer and eat some sheep. lol.
Here's a monkey. Isn't he cute?
The women tend to carry large starngely shaped objects solely on their heads. Check this one out. I've tried I can do it but I use an arm to hold it in place. i think it takes a lot of practice.
aww this is so cute. This was at the airport in JFk before we left. It's me, Astrid, Adam and Ciara. Peace!
Here we are at the end of Staging. We had no idea what we were in for.
Here's a good view of a "bush taxi" I hope you can see how much is piled up on top of this tiny little wagon. Surprisingly it gets more ridiculous than that.
Here's another bush taxi not only is this one loaded with stuff, you've also got some people on top as well as people inside the car.
Not the best market photo but here's a few small fish vendors. The fish just sits there.
This isn't from training. Me Ila and Alpha at the computer center where I've started teaching English to their students.
I love this pic, this is me with my host family. From left to right it's Ila, Wodey, oumou, moi, and Boubacar.
awww this is g15 when we first arrived to Conakry. We look so young and clean. lol.
Me and Astrid. That girl is awesome she needs to move her site closer to mine.
SignsWell i really hope you enjoyed these photos. I really enjoyed taking them. hehe.
I miss Guinea
Blog June 19, 2008
It’s officially six months into service, that’s ¼ completed. Can you believe it? I sure can’t, time is going by so fast. So currently I’m spending some time in Senegal and all I can say is that I miss my home and I miss Guinea. Um so it looks like June is almost over and a lot of things I was looking forward to have been put on hold till I get back to my site. Thankfully a training has been rescheduled so many things won’t be such a complete mess it just stinks to leave for long periods of time.
Forth of July I hope to spend at the capital with a bunch of other Americans. I really would like to go to either or both Morocco and Egypt. (if anyone is interested in accompanying me, let me know)
So how’s Senegal? Well it’s different, but I honestly really can’t say because I haven’t done much exploring. So I don’t have much of an opinion. One of the languages is close to language they speak in the region I am located in guinea. It’s not exactly the same but has a lot of similarities. I really like the music, I’m finding it hard to dance to though because the beat is so fast but it’s good. I really enjoy it. I’m enjoying more music from surrounding countries than the one I live in. Cote D’Ivorian music is excellent as well. With all this time on my hands I’m trying to think about what I want to do after this adventure is over, I’ve narrowed it down to three choices, graduate school, work maybe foreign services, and/ or a three year of Peace Corps. I know I’m getting ahead of myself but I think I want all of those and wouldn’t be that upset if I didn’t do a third year. But we’ll see. Any ideas? Write me!
So I’ve been going back and forth with the idea whether or not to go home, this would give me an opportunity to bring back more gifts for people but I think it might be easier to send them with people who come to visit me. That and it’s gonna be another adjustment and like it’s expensive and such. As much as I want to go home, it doesn’t seem necessary. And I bet when I go back to my village everyone is gonna ask me for gifts until I’m blue in the face. LOL. That’s a guarantee!
I wish I had more to say but really nothing is new, nothing’s going on. I’d love to get letters. That’d be nice or even a package. That’d be even sweeter or maybe even an email. I didn’t die or anything, I only joined Peace Corps so like why haven’t you wrote?
It’s officially six months into service, that’s ¼ completed. Can you believe it? I sure can’t, time is going by so fast. So currently I’m spending some time in Senegal and all I can say is that I miss my home and I miss Guinea. Um so it looks like June is almost over and a lot of things I was looking forward to have been put on hold till I get back to my site. Thankfully a training has been rescheduled so many things won’t be such a complete mess it just stinks to leave for long periods of time.
Forth of July I hope to spend at the capital with a bunch of other Americans. I really would like to go to either or both Morocco and Egypt. (if anyone is interested in accompanying me, let me know)
So how’s Senegal? Well it’s different, but I honestly really can’t say because I haven’t done much exploring. So I don’t have much of an opinion. One of the languages is close to language they speak in the region I am located in guinea. It’s not exactly the same but has a lot of similarities. I really like the music, I’m finding it hard to dance to though because the beat is so fast but it’s good. I really enjoy it. I’m enjoying more music from surrounding countries than the one I live in. Cote D’Ivorian music is excellent as well. With all this time on my hands I’m trying to think about what I want to do after this adventure is over, I’ve narrowed it down to three choices, graduate school, work maybe foreign services, and/ or a three year of Peace Corps. I know I’m getting ahead of myself but I think I want all of those and wouldn’t be that upset if I didn’t do a third year. But we’ll see. Any ideas? Write me!
So I’ve been going back and forth with the idea whether or not to go home, this would give me an opportunity to bring back more gifts for people but I think it might be easier to send them with people who come to visit me. That and it’s gonna be another adjustment and like it’s expensive and such. As much as I want to go home, it doesn’t seem necessary. And I bet when I go back to my village everyone is gonna ask me for gifts until I’m blue in the face. LOL. That’s a guarantee!
I wish I had more to say but really nothing is new, nothing’s going on. I’d love to get letters. That’d be nice or even a package. That’d be even sweeter or maybe even an email. I didn’t die or anything, I only joined Peace Corps so like why haven’t you wrote?
Sunday, June 15, 2008
The Six Months Point
June 13, 2008
Oh how amazing. The other day someone sent me a note saying Happy Six Months!!! Has it really been that long since we swore-in as Volunteers. This time next year I’m going to be applying for graduate school or looking for a job or maybe both. Perhaps both. But who knows right now. So whats been up man? So I’m taking another trip to Conakry for a week and then after headed to Mamou for a few days for the Girl’s Conference which I am really looking forward to. I hope things work out as planned. I know they won’t but as close as possible. The other day I baked some oh so yummy oatmeal cookies. Yes this is a highlight because I have no stove, so the fact that I prepared something baked is an accomplishment all in itself. (and yes I am patting myself on the back.) Something fun, so it’s rainy season and yes there’s lots of rain and lots of things growing and forming and things are blooming and blossoming and such and it’s oh so pretty. And also the mangoes with their AMAZING VITAMIN A. Rainy days are nice and I’m starting to make them a little more productive. Many people, or well most people that I have seen in my village spend the time sleeping when it’s rainy. One rainy afternoon I spent at my host family’s house practicing Pular with my brother. I then tried to explain to him about how difficult it is to find work and that no I’m not rich like 50 cent. Surprisingly enough he knew who 50 cent is. These are my favorite past about being here cultural interactions. I learned how to tell someone they are ugly and stupid, which aren’t really necessary but fun words to know and of course I learned their opposites if I’m feeling really nice. But its really slow coming and I don’t have structured learning so it’s kinda just all over the place as far as what I know how to say and what I understand. So yesterday I got a package from my mom which was very sweet and she had sent me my Nintendo DS, which I wish I had brought with me in the first place its been a lot of fun playing Brain Age and Pokemon. Pokemon, I asked someone about this amazing creation while I was in the middle of doing a battle. (ok, no need to make fun of the fact I was playing pokemon.) but anyway as I was saying I was trying to explain the concept to one of my friends but I really don’t even know if I can explain to myself. I remember when my brother tried to explain it years ago, I had no freaking clue what the hell he was talking about and from what he told me about it, I was way off from what I thought it was. The only thing I could say was that it was Japanese. But really what on earth is a Pokemon? Can someone answer this question for me? Another funny comment I get which I get often is being a Black American. Every once in a while I meet someone in my village and they insist that I’m white. Funny thing. Last time I looked in the mirror I was more brownish than anything close to white. So normally I laugh, get a little upset and then give them a short lesson on colors and try to help them. My neighbor, Abdoulaye thinks he’s so smart and he thought he was even smarter when he noted that I was white because I’m not African. Yeah, I took out a piece of paper and showed him the color white and held it up to my skin. I took out something black and held it up myself and him as well. I said nope not black but neither are you. We’re both more of a brownish color. And then he laughed and said no he’s neither he’s chocolate. LMAO. Ok ok whatever you wanna call it nowadays. Bur I just thought this was really cute. Well my village family has been so helpful at making me feel at home in Tountouroun and I do when I’m at their home and usually when I’m at my place I feel comfortable definitely more so than when I first moved in. Oh man was I terrified. I spend more time with them then other families because they never ask me for anything, I do give them gifts when I leave but since I first met them they have been very welcoming and very sweet especially the mom. The other day she told me she loved me and it was kinda weird at first cause I had no idea what to say to it. And she was kinda yelling it at me and asked me if I understood what that meant. It’s funny I don’t think I really do quite yet. But that’s another topic another day.
So I have some pictures I finally got a chance to take some pictures. most of these right now are with me and the family i stay with in my village. i have more photos but of course not with me. But Im sure your aware of how slow computers are here. If you aren't already now you know. K.
This is one of my neighbors. she sells gateau. Sometimes she can be a nuisance but sometimes she is also very helpful.
One of my many friends, he's pretty cool, i know its a bad pic but this is Fred and he helps me a lot with the lanuage when i have a zillion and one questions.
These are two of my favorite people. My "host brothers" Ila and Boubacar. They are really awesome and help me alot with the language and are probably my best friends in my village.
Thats me and Ila. i was making faces cause he didn't want to take pictures.
This is another picture of my favorite people, my host mother on the right Oumou and my namesake Kadiatou. They are both really awesome and very sweet women. Thankfully they speak french pretty well so it's easy to talk to them.
This girl is so cute, this is my one of my host sisters, the youngest and she is a riot. Wodey is very smart and I think I've learned most of my Pular by talking with her.
Here's one of the pics at the health center. He is really nice and gives vaccinations.
Thats me and my host brother Boubacar. I really like his booboo here.
This is everyone, well not everyone. Everyone from that day. There's more people they just weren't there this day. But here is my host family, minus the older sister.
Awww, that's me and my host mom. She's so cute, i really love her complet, i should of wore one too right?
Oh how amazing. The other day someone sent me a note saying Happy Six Months!!! Has it really been that long since we swore-in as Volunteers. This time next year I’m going to be applying for graduate school or looking for a job or maybe both. Perhaps both. But who knows right now. So whats been up man? So I’m taking another trip to Conakry for a week and then after headed to Mamou for a few days for the Girl’s Conference which I am really looking forward to. I hope things work out as planned. I know they won’t but as close as possible. The other day I baked some oh so yummy oatmeal cookies. Yes this is a highlight because I have no stove, so the fact that I prepared something baked is an accomplishment all in itself. (and yes I am patting myself on the back.) Something fun, so it’s rainy season and yes there’s lots of rain and lots of things growing and forming and things are blooming and blossoming and such and it’s oh so pretty. And also the mangoes with their AMAZING VITAMIN A. Rainy days are nice and I’m starting to make them a little more productive. Many people, or well most people that I have seen in my village spend the time sleeping when it’s rainy. One rainy afternoon I spent at my host family’s house practicing Pular with my brother. I then tried to explain to him about how difficult it is to find work and that no I’m not rich like 50 cent. Surprisingly enough he knew who 50 cent is. These are my favorite past about being here cultural interactions. I learned how to tell someone they are ugly and stupid, which aren’t really necessary but fun words to know and of course I learned their opposites if I’m feeling really nice. But its really slow coming and I don’t have structured learning so it’s kinda just all over the place as far as what I know how to say and what I understand. So yesterday I got a package from my mom which was very sweet and she had sent me my Nintendo DS, which I wish I had brought with me in the first place its been a lot of fun playing Brain Age and Pokemon. Pokemon, I asked someone about this amazing creation while I was in the middle of doing a battle. (ok, no need to make fun of the fact I was playing pokemon.) but anyway as I was saying I was trying to explain the concept to one of my friends but I really don’t even know if I can explain to myself. I remember when my brother tried to explain it years ago, I had no freaking clue what the hell he was talking about and from what he told me about it, I was way off from what I thought it was. The only thing I could say was that it was Japanese. But really what on earth is a Pokemon? Can someone answer this question for me? Another funny comment I get which I get often is being a Black American. Every once in a while I meet someone in my village and they insist that I’m white. Funny thing. Last time I looked in the mirror I was more brownish than anything close to white. So normally I laugh, get a little upset and then give them a short lesson on colors and try to help them. My neighbor, Abdoulaye thinks he’s so smart and he thought he was even smarter when he noted that I was white because I’m not African. Yeah, I took out a piece of paper and showed him the color white and held it up to my skin. I took out something black and held it up myself and him as well. I said nope not black but neither are you. We’re both more of a brownish color. And then he laughed and said no he’s neither he’s chocolate. LMAO. Ok ok whatever you wanna call it nowadays. Bur I just thought this was really cute. Well my village family has been so helpful at making me feel at home in Tountouroun and I do when I’m at their home and usually when I’m at my place I feel comfortable definitely more so than when I first moved in. Oh man was I terrified. I spend more time with them then other families because they never ask me for anything, I do give them gifts when I leave but since I first met them they have been very welcoming and very sweet especially the mom. The other day she told me she loved me and it was kinda weird at first cause I had no idea what to say to it. And she was kinda yelling it at me and asked me if I understood what that meant. It’s funny I don’t think I really do quite yet. But that’s another topic another day.
So I have some pictures I finally got a chance to take some pictures. most of these right now are with me and the family i stay with in my village. i have more photos but of course not with me. But Im sure your aware of how slow computers are here. If you aren't already now you know. K.
This is one of my neighbors. she sells gateau. Sometimes she can be a nuisance but sometimes she is also very helpful.
One of my many friends, he's pretty cool, i know its a bad pic but this is Fred and he helps me a lot with the lanuage when i have a zillion and one questions.
These are two of my favorite people. My "host brothers" Ila and Boubacar. They are really awesome and help me alot with the language and are probably my best friends in my village.
Thats me and Ila. i was making faces cause he didn't want to take pictures.
This is another picture of my favorite people, my host mother on the right Oumou and my namesake Kadiatou. They are both really awesome and very sweet women. Thankfully they speak french pretty well so it's easy to talk to them.
This girl is so cute, this is my one of my host sisters, the youngest and she is a riot. Wodey is very smart and I think I've learned most of my Pular by talking with her.
Here's one of the pics at the health center. He is really nice and gives vaccinations.
Thats me and my host brother Boubacar. I really like his booboo here.
This is everyone, well not everyone. Everyone from that day. There's more people they just weren't there this day. But here is my host family, minus the older sister.
Awww, that's me and my host mom. She's so cute, i really love her complet, i should of wore one too right?
Ok so I'm not such a horrible person I'm showing some pictures right. Sorry thats all i have now but I'll have more later. Things are going well here and I'm going to senegal for a couple days so I'm looking forward to that. Im making plans to visit Mali in september for vacation. Let's see how that goes. And as for work well school's out so I'm trying to do several small projects. Plant some trees and enjoy the rainy season by pigging out on some mangoes. LOL. Take care.
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