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"….gongon bi…"

If you are looking for definition of gongon bi, you will have to read the letter.

From Feb 8 to Feb 15 2001

Feb 8

Mom & Dad! It was so awesome to talk to you today. I have so much to tell you, I can't remember it all & I don't know where to even begin. Today was a very good day. It was nice getting to talk to you, Eric & Kurt. Thank you for getting it all together for me. I have my first language test tomorrow. They call it a simulation - I talk with the other formateurs in different scenarios - intorducing my family, asking about their family, pretending I'm at the market and other practical things like that. I'm not too nervous but just knowing it's a test is a little stressful. So I'm off to bed for now but I'll be back in the morning :--). Good night!

Feb 9

Good morning - well, hopefully for you…I have my first test this morning & I hardly slept last night because the stupid mouton was under my window baaaa-ing all night! I almost stabbed him to death with my ink pen. Then, I can't believe I haven't told you this yet, Dad. A.P. is the most disgusting eater. I don't think he could make any more noise if he tried! I was at my wits end this morning. So, now it's test time - wish me luck! My test went very well today. It was for easy things - but it was a confidence booster :--). I took pictures of all the Monga PCTs today, and everyone said it was ok to post pictures & names. It is really hot today too. Surprisingly, there is a lot of smog here. It's not just in Atlanta! Everyone cooks over a fire & it's so humid. We're hanging out in a place we like to call "wat/san Dreamland". It's right on a pretty "lake" & it's got gorgeous flowers floating in it. I took a bunch of pictures so check them out. It'll be a while though because I just started the roll. It actually feels like a Friday afternoon. That's a strange feeling. We have the whole afternoon off so we're all hanging out in Dreamland. Tomorrow night, we're having a party in Paris (the 'hood) - beer, rock & roll and American friends :--)! Even though the beer sucks & the rock & roll is in Spanish. It will be fun though. It's even got a little cooler - yippee!! So tonight we're meeting Bak - our language teacher - at the Maguis at 8. It's just one last time to hang out because we get new teachers next week. He's really nice. He bought all three of us cokes last class because we did so well. That's another funny thing here - it's such a treat to have a nice cold Sprite. I never thought I would enjoy carbonation so much! Well, gonna go play some cards with the PCTs ---- enjoy your morning. Before I forget - tell Eric to add to the website…if anyone wants to send anything :--) - put it in a padded envelope - less likely to get taxed &/or opened. That way, if people want to make sure they send me something good or whatever, it's right there or they can ask you :--). --- just an idea.

Feb 10

Hey Mom & Dad! I was getting a little nervous last night because we went to the Maguis (bar) with our teacher, Bak, and I had one Sprite, 4 cookies & 2 Jolly Ranchers & I had the worst indigestion! I'm losing my stomach power for junk food! But today I've eaten so much junk & no intestinal problems yet! We got our new language class assignments - it's me & 2 new girls (one is Mary C) and our teacher's name is Loukou. She is really nice. We are in Alepe right now, hanging out at the Director's house. Mary & Julie are getting phone calls today. So I'm just hanging out, studying a little, writing letters, buying cookies at the boutique :--). It's nice having the afternoon off. And we have a comfy place to hang out where little Ivorian kids aren't bugging us all afternoon! We're meeting with the APCD Feb 20th to discuss our village concerns. So I'll be sure to let you know how it goes. Today I took a picture of me with some random steers walking down the road --- this place is so bizarre! I'm going to go study some --- talk to you later. ~ They gave us this cook book when we first got here with all kinds of things in it. There are even recipes for baking cakes & cookies, even Mexican food! All at site!! Oooohhh La Parilla :--)! What I wouldn't give for some pinto bean soup! It's super nice outside today. I thought it would be just nasty hot all the time. This is nothing like Georgia weather - it's ten times nicer right now. It will get hotter I know, but I'll enjoy this now. I can't remember if I told you this already or not, but all the kids here yell at us as we're walking down the street "gongon bi". That's white people in Mbatto. I finally asked some of my siblings what exactly they were saying. ~~ I just finished eating dinner with AP, as usual, but it was really weird tonight. There are about 8-10 kids around here all the time from 1-12 years of age. I don't really know who all the kids belong to. I do know AP & Benedicte are the married couple responsible for me. And I know they have one son, Blaise, & maybe 2 daughters. One daughter is here all the time. The other one, who is about 5 or 6, only shows up periodically. They both treat Blaise as their own, but it's as if the girls belong to someone else. Anyway, my point in saying this is that after dinner AP made the girls clear the table & one other boy, about 8 years old, who I don't think is his son. The boy lives here in the court-yard, but he's not his son. I tried to help the kids & AP said NO very sternly. I feel so awkward. AP makes his wife & kids wait on me all the time. Benedicte will let me help when he's not around, but when he is I can't help. I know it's part of their culture, but it makes me very uncomfortable. Today, though, I did get to pop-a-squat with the ladies and help them clean their pile of grin. Grin is harvested here & it's used to make palm oil - you know, the kind in the states us dietitians tell people to avoid?! Anyway, it was pretty fun even though I couldn't understand a word they were saying because it was in Mbatto.

Feb 11

Good morning! I just got back from church. My family dressed all up in their African garb - I took a picture of it at church. Church here is really neat. I love their music. Last night our party ended up being pretty fun. A lot of people got trashed, which kinda surprised me - including AP. Now that was weird. But Julie, Mary & I had a great time. I took some pictures of that too. There's this guy, Leonard - he's the Cornell guy - he is such a goofball that he's hilarious. He's your typical "engineer" type :--). A little corny & dorky but he's a good positive energy source because he's always happy. We're having lunch with the other Paris people again - then we're studying & running. I've got tons of studying to do. We're having class at my house tomorrow - so I need to ask AP & Benedicte if it's ok. My place is in the shade & there's a nice bench for me to sit on. I was thinking in church - after I finish training and start getting into my village, it's going to be getting close to time to start planning your trip here! Have you applied for your passports & visas yet? Shots? I'm so excited to see you - I can't believe it's going to be that long. The other thing I was thinking today is still how strange it is that I'm here. I've got all this "unusual" stuff around me every day - and everything is as usual at home. I'm fighting cockroaches in the middle of the night when I get up to pee, and you're cussing because you tripped over something in the dark when you get up to pee. That's so funny. Anyway - I'm going to see if I can figure out my short wave so I can catch the news. Enjoy your morning. ~~ Hey again! Hey Mom - how's the health place coming along? I meant to ask you that before but I forgot. I'm feeling a little homesick right now. I just want to take one day off and hang out at Blind Willies or Starbucks or even just at the house where there's a cushion for my butt! It's only the end of the 3rd week. I have to keep telling myself it takes time. I meant to tell you before but I forgot - that when I went running the other day, and again today, there was a dog on the road both times - a little one - and I was so scared of him! I firmly believe they can sense fear because that first one was eyeing me, I could feel it! Tonight was pretty cool at dinner too. AP wasn't there so Benedicte sat with me & we just chatted about different things. It was almost like we were having a real conversation. She is very patient with me. It was very nice and even relaxing. Really, we're the same age - she's just been forced to be an adult :--) - so she likes to laugh & goof off too. It was fun. She also said she wanted to braid my hair - this ought to be good! I told her I would love that. So I'll be sure to get a picture for you. I turned on my short-wave tonight too. I think I found Voice of America but I'm not sure. It's very "official" & "political" sounding. I guess I figured I'd be so desperate for anything American that I'd want to listen to it
:--). So I'm off to bed - language class bright & early! Love you both.

Feb 12

Good morning! I'm sweating already, This hot drink for breakfast kick starts the sweat glands! AP brought me this "yogurt" for breakfast. It was nice & cold but too sweet. Can you believe I'm saying that?! It's almost like cold sweetened condensed milk thinned with sweet vanilla yogurt - very sweet! So he asked me if I didn't like it because I didn't eat it all. They are very much into eating tons. They're probably ashamed of me. They also pulled out a tilapia this AM & said tonight I get to watch Benedicte clean it for my dinner. That will be a first! Well, we have class here at my house in a few minutes; I better head. Hope you're sleeping soundly (it's only 3AM for you :--)) ~~ We finished our water jars & I got a picture so you can see what kinds of things we're doing. Dinner was really good tonight too. I had this stuff called attieke - it's kinda like couscous - but it's not "just-add-water" :--). They pound it by hand from manioc. It's good - especially with the sauces Benedicte makes. Well, I'm going to go search for "Voix d'Amerique". I think I had BBC last night. Goodnight. I love you.

Feb 13

Well, I didn't find Voice of America last night. That gives me something to do for the next 2 years :--). This morning, AP walked out with a golf shirt on with Hello Kitty on it! That's a little girl's cartoon . There's no shame here :--). So, we have language class today in the morning then we go to Alepe for a medical session. Usually we stay here on Tues but our medical team has to leave so we had to do it today. Then I have the afternoon off! I need to study a ton. We'll see if that actually happens :--). Well, time for class - just a quick hi - I have the whole afternoon off. I'm studying thought because I'm behind the 2 girls in my language class. They've done a lot more verb tenses so I need to catch up. The language is coming along slowly - but I've learned a lot. The sad part - well, the hard part - is the more I learn, the more I realize I don't know. That's with everything I suppose. Anyway, gotta go. I just did about 2 hours of work on past tense of verbs. I'll tell you, the best way to learn a language is the way we're doing it. It's not like I can say time out for a few minutes. I can't speak English with them - it's just not an option. I followed one of the ladies in my family today to the river - where they bathe, wash clothes & wash dishes. I am always amazed at the work they do. She toted a huge pot of dishes & clothes on her head down to the river. I took a picture of her doing the dishes. While I was down there, a girl no more than 7 or 8 was filling up a tub of water - about the equivalent of your biggest soup pot -- & carried it on her head. The women here are so strong. And to get oil here, they make it…they take the grin off the plant, dry it in the sun for about 5 or 6 days, pound the hell out of it, cook it, then press it. Or you can just run down to Publix & buy a bottle! I'm a sorry excuse for a female here. In case you haven't yet found it, Monga & Montezo are a little south west of Alepe & Alepe is a little north east of Abidjan. I looked at a CI map yesterday. Hey, totally random - in case I forget to tell you on the phone - if you're looking for things to send me just a little at a time (may be less likely to be pilfered through) - send me kool-aid a couple packs at a time, &………. That way I can slowly keep my supply & don't have to restock all at once. Just if you're looking for ideas :--). Also, when I get my new address, Eric could put it on my website to make sure everyone knows it so they won't have an excuse for not writing :--). Well, I guess I'll go look for Voice of America again. I can't wait to talk to you!

Feb 14

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! That's all the red you get. I don't like that pen. Something huge is about to happen because when I woke up this morning it was 650!! I was freezing when I took my bucket bath - not that I'm complaining! And as I was finishing my bath this AM, the Grandad came knocking. I was finished so I opened the door to leave and let him com in - and he had another old man with him.& they both went inside! I'm not sure what goes on here -- & I wasn't about to ask. I found Voice of America last night, but I fell asleep listening to it. I get so much sleep here! We had language class this morning & we have it until 5 - then we're going to Loukou's house (my new Formateur) to make popcorn for our Valentine's Day Party tonight. Saturday we're having a party in Alepe with the Montezo group - and we're having pizza!! It's getting out of control! Well, eat some Valentine's Day candy for me - and some Girl Scout cookies too :--) (isn't it that time of year?!) Gotta head back to class. I just got back from our Valentine's Day Party & it was so much fun! That is the most fun I've had in a while. I've had a chance to get to know a lot of PCTs - and the Formateurs really let loose! The party was louder than anything you could have (legally & without complaints) in the states. They had beer & sodas, popcorn, cookies, music - American music! Those Ivorians can dance too. And the PC big wigs were there too - our directors were tearing up the dance floor. You would never see that back home. Dad, just picture Ed boogy-ing down - we're talking to the floor. She could have touched it with her hands. It was awesome! Everyone had a really good time. It's 11:50! That tells you how sad I am now. I'm asleep by 9 every night! We have class at 8 then off to Alepe at 10 - can't wait to talk to you! I'll try to write more tomorrow - since I have this whole side to fill up :--). Goodnight.

Feb 15

It's freezing this morning - I actually had to turn my fan off last night! And my bath water was miserably cold too - but if I didn't wet my hair, I was afraid AP & Benedicte wouldn't think I bathed and make me do it again. I took a picture in Bonoua of this hard thing that is all over the place here. It's called a margouillat, pronounced "marquee-ot". They are everywhere! Language class was good today. We're speaking in all French - a little English when we just really can't understand. Still a long way to go but I can tell a difference. Today we're having some guest speakers in Alepe, but they won't tell us who they are. Oh yeah, Mariam, the director, met with all the PCTs to give us some feedback about how our training has been going so far. My family loves me & all the Formateurs are pleased with my effort. So, I'm happy right now. I was just in the market looking for pagnes & I found one that was really awesome. I was about to hand the lady my money when Benedicte walked up. So, I asked her if it was a good deal & she took a look & before I knew it, she was in a shouting match with the vendor! Two of the lady Formateurs came by & separated them. It was crazy! Evidently, what I was about to buy wasn't good quality but I didn't know that. Now I know :--). Benedicte was pissed, but I went to her afterwards & she wasn't mad anymore. She was laughing - probably at me :--). It was fun. The market is a crazy place to be! It's hot & everyone is bumping into each other - but it's fun to watch. I stuck 2 rolls of film in the mail today. If it's possible, could you send a couple pictures back - the ones that came out clearly of the Formateurs - any that you think are good. And maybe if there's a good family shot of my host family. They don't ever get pictures taken here, so I know they would love it. Well, I can't wait to see you guys. Hope everything is going well in Powder Springs. Let me know all about it! I miss you so much!
I love you ~
Niki/Rock :--)

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