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Contact 6
"…half
way there..."
From Feb 23 to Feb 28,
2001
Feb
23
Mom & Dad! Well, I ended up talking to 4 people yesterday! April
called too - thanks, Mom & Dad - she said you gave her the calling
card. It was nice talking to her. We actually didn't talk about Africa
that much either, which was kinda nice. I almost felt like I was in
Georgia talking to her. She said she & Drew broke up. So, I think
she was glad to talk to me too. She could talk about that. I really
miss her. Another random thought, besides that I'm already out of stationery,
is a weird thing my family does…they will just say my name. So,
naturally, I look at them, or go to them as if "what do you want"
and they actually have nothing to say to me. So they're just looking
at me & I feel like a big fat idiot. Then, sometimes, they'll say
random things like "hey, Niki, we're eating foutou", and that's
all. So I look at them as if "and your point is…" &
they say it again slowly and annunciate more…I understand you -
why are you informing me that you're eating. I can see that! So, I just
feel like an idiot because I think they're trying to tell me something
& they're really not. Anyway, if that's the worst that happens,
I'm golden J. Also, I'm pretty sure I can get paper like this here that
I can use for letters, and it's pretty light too. Stella, our nurse,
just brought us some ice cream for braving our shots. You can get real
ice cream here. It is so good! It comes in little plastic packages.
You cut the corner off and squeeze it out to eat it. I can eat one on
an empty stomach withour any problems - but 2 packages & it comes
back up. Each pack is about one scoop. It's the most refreshing thing
here, & it's cheap, too - only 100F! Also, every once in a while,
send me a picture or 2 - maybe from Mardi Gras or somewhere - so I don't
forget what you look like J! It's a really nice day today - & tomorrow
we're going to the beach. The place is called Bassam (I think that's
how it's spelled). They told us we can't swim in the ocean, but there
are 2 pools. I'm not really sure what funky skin ailments we could get
from that though J! So you haven't rented out my room yet, huh? I hope
I didn't leave it too messy. It would be nice to be able to sit on the
floor and not worry about bugs crawling on you.. Well, we're heading
back to Monga for lunch, so I'll be back. Sleep tight. It's only 4AM
your time! ~~ We just had class in Dreamland with the Health group from
Montezo. It's funny how we started out as one group & now we're
Health and Wat/San. And there's even competition between us - which
group has better parties, who does more work, who has the better village…and
today they came to Monga - to Wat/San Dreamland. They were all amazed
at how gorgeous it is and that we got to have class here all the time.
So we're all silently saying "Oh yeah, you're in Monga now!"
It's funny how pride can work sometimes J. Right now, I'm sitting on
the hill by the "river". Everybody is gone. It is so quiet
except for the birds, random moutons…and some natives in the water
bathing and fishing. They are also canoeing down the river in these
homemade canoes from tree trunks. It's so bizarre. It's like Huckleberry
Finn. It is so green here too. It's what I picture a tropical resort
island to look like. I took some pictures, but I don't know if they
turned out. There are these patches of water flowers - the leaves look
like "easter lily" leaves, and the flower looks almost like
an orchid - lavender with a little yellow. It's so serene. I'm in Africa,
Mom & Dad. This is nuts. This world is so amazing. I hope there's
a place like this in my village. I'm definitely bringing you here when
you come. I was flipping through the calendar you gave me from the hospital.
It has a bunch of quotes in it. My favorite one is the one you have
on the hot plate in the kitchen…"We make a living by what
we get. We make a life by what we give." I love that. You know,
people think I'm so selfless and giving for coming here. I'm really
not. I'm very selfish. Well, maybe not very. I want to see all these
places & different cultures, understand how other lives exist -
& the PC will pay for it J & I'm leaving with a bunch of people
at home who love me & who are going to be worrying about me for
the next 2 years. I'm not doing this. We are doing this. I wouldn't
be where I am - PC & my life & values in general - if you weren't
there. I'm the person parents taught me to be - & I hope I can do
the same even ½ as good. OK. I'm crying now so that's my cue
to go home & study some J. I miss you guys so much. I can't wait
to talk to you next week. I hope you're having a good time in PS :-).
Feb 24
I'm at the BEACH! We're in Bassam & it is gorgeous! It's about 200
cooler with a good beach breeze. It's pretty touristy, though. There
are a lot of Europeans here. It is a little strange to see other white
people. And I'm burned too. I brought sunscreen but didn't put any on
because I was sitting in the shade the whole time. Well, we went for
a short walk & I fried. Oh well, it'll probably be the only time
my body sees any sun for the next 2 years! Yesterday, a bunch of people
got packages - & none of them were opened. One guy got a big fat
paper back with some other stuff in a padded envelope - & it was
only $14 - & he only paid 200 francs to receive it. That's a little
reassuring. Last night I was feeling a little bummed because I just
started thinking about two years & what the hell am I doing?! I
just can't look that far ahead. I need to take it one day at a time.
But last night the shy had about 10 million stars in it. It was so beautiful.
I think they wonder if we have stars in the states because I'm always
staring at them. AP pointed out a big fat bright star - I think maybe
the North Star - it was so bright. Oh Mom, on the way to Bassam, we
passed all these little shops you love - wood carvings, furniture, African
masks, tapestries & pagnes, beads - tons-o-stuff! I'm glad we didn't
stop because they would have had to strap me to the bus. We're definitely
coming back, or finding the equivalent. Man this beach is relaxing.
I feel like I'm at home. We get ice cream at 4, too! You see I've got
my priorities straight J. Well, I'm going to take a jump in the pool
:-). Be back later.
Feb 25
It's 7:30 AM & I just can't go back to sleep. So, I'm sitting in
my room until 8 or so. I told AP last night that I didn't want to go
to church because I wanted to sleep in. This isn't sleeping in! Sundays
just aren't like Sundays at home. I get up, do laundry & clean my
room - hurry up & bathe & eat so I can go to church - help with
lunch as soon as we get back which then lasts until lunch is over around
2 - 2:30. Then they usually have something else for us to do. So I usually
get an hour or 2, that's it, to study & write to you. So last night,
I told him I had to study a bunch today & really didn't want to
go to church. It rained like crazy yesterday too. Monga is one big mud
pit. My room is just gross right now. I can't wait to move to site where
I can do what ever I want when ever. Last night I felt bad because we
came home from the beach around 7:15 - I usually eat dinner around 7,
& I'm usually home in enough time to help with dinner. So last night,
after I tracked in all this mud, dinner was waiting for me. I was exhausted
& just wanted to go in my room, but I felt bad because I just got
there, ate & left. I don't like feeling obligated to do things.
So I ate & went into my room. I've got all day today to spend with
them. I need to study a lot today. We have our next language test on
Wednesday. I haven't improved as much as I did last time. That's ok.
I'm still improving. I can't wait for you to come over here. I had a
dream about you last night. I dreamed the PC paid for the parents to
come to our "swearing in", when we become PCVs at the end
of stage. But it was so real, so I fell like I got to see you! It's
going to be tough not being able to see you. I like hanging out with
you two. How is work going for both of you? There must be something
in the water because it sounds like both places are a little crazy!
You guys are in Mobile right now - I'm so jealous. That would be so
fun. Today is Joe Cain day too - the best one :-). Sometimes I think
I'd be having more fun at home, but there must be something pretty awesome
here. Tell me all about your trip to Mardi Gras & the Joe Cain race
- and all the yummy food you got to eat! Well, I better emerge from
my room. I've got chores to do! It's funny how the same chores are so
different. So I'll probably be back after lunch. ~~ I hope this letter
or any/all of them aren't boring you to tears. I'm just trying to write
as much as I can so you can get a tiny idea of what it's like here.
So tell me when I'm boring you too much. I'm so glad you bought those
quick dry clothes for me. They are perfect here. It doesn't take that
long to do laundry. My jean skirt is a little too hot. I don't wear
it much, & it's kinda a pain to was too. But it's food for nice
dress. I pretty much wear the 3 short sleeve button downs all the time
- & the tan quick dry skirt you got for me. I wear pants sometimes.
They're easier to sit in :-) & I can wear my gray ones for a while
before they look dirty J. When I come home, I'm making "alloco"
for you - it's slices of plantain bananas, fried in palm oil - very
good for you :-) but it's tasty! Today turned out to be really good.
I had the morning to myself. I did laundry & we didn't have to spend
the whole afternoon eating lunch because I ate by myself!! Now I have
the rest of the day for me! I'm studying a lot though. So what exciting
is going on in your part of the world? Eat a Popsicle for me - that
sounds really good right now. It's kinda cool because I have a little
shelter to sit under. It's like watching a thunderstorm in the summers
- only it's always summer here. I forgot to tell you, this morning,
when I was going to take a bath, Benedicte noticed I was burned &
said "Niki, you're red" - not of concern, she just noticed
my color was different - then asked me if I would be white again :-)
In case I forget to tell him - will you tell Eric Happy Birthday for
me? Thanks :-)
Feb 26
I was going to write more last night but the power went out, so I decided
to go to bed - & it was only 8! It was too early because I woke
up every hour. Yesterday, though, I experienced 2 noteworthy situations.
I was in the "kitchen" helping Benedicte with dinner and Blaise,
my 2 year old brother, was in there - naked this time - and just started
peeing on his hands and on my flip flops. I didn't have them on or I
would have drop kicked him. Benedicte just laughed. So Blaise keeps
coming up to me trying to touch me. That kept me busy for a while avoiding
him. Then he squatted & took a dump on the floor. This place is
strange. She did at least clean that up. We have a test on Wed for new
language class placement. We talk one on one with a formateur. They
record our conversation & then all the formateurs decide what level
we are. Today, for the technical class, we're constructing latrine slabs.
If that's not exciting, I don't know what is. I'm in a bad mood too
because I'm hot and I'm tired. At least I'm not hungry anymore J. You
can't get away from people either. Either all the stagiaires are there,
your entire family bugs you at home, or you get stared at & yelled
at (gongonbi) if I walk down town. I can sit in my room, but it's an
oven. So right now I'm doing my best to ignore the kids at my house.
Not much else is new. So I'll be back later. ~~ This afternoon picked
up a little. Music is a wonderful drug. It's amazing how mood changing
it can be. I meant to tell you too, I wear my digital watch most of
the time here because, kind of like BRAG, I need to look at my watch
to know what day it is! Anyway, it's been a long day so I'll see you
tomorrow. Goodnight.
Feb 27
Last night was as close to a hurricane as we may see here. About midnight,
I thought my roof was going to blow off. Then the rain just dumped on
my tin roof. I couldn't hear my radio it was so loud. It did this for
a few hours. So I didn't sleep much. Now Monga is one big mud pit. I
had to break out the boots. So now I have to "juice up" with
my jungle juice. I think the bugs will be out more. Plus they bite a
lot in Dreamland, which is where we have class in a few minutes. Now
I'm going to buy some cookies before class starts. ~ Holy cow! The bugs
are nuts here. I jungle juiced and I got 3 new bites. It doesn't sound
like a lot but African mosquitoes are on steroids & they itch like
there's no tomorrow. I won't ever notice another American mosquito bite.
So now my whole body itches because what isn't from a mosquito itches
because I'm on the equator & didn't wear sunscreen. Brilliant. Today
in Dreamland, there was an African guy wearing an Atlanta Braves hat
J. I was excited, even though Atlanta if freakin' huge. Also we had
2 wat/san PCVs with us today, & they were telling us about the rainy
season - that's basically for the 2-3 months you won't get anything
done - & that's our first 2-3 months at site. I'm kind of glad so
I can get to know the villagers. I'm getting really nervous. We're in
week 6 (1/2 way there), week 8 we spend 4 days learning how to dig wells.
Then, end of week 9, most of week 10, we do our site visit! Weeks 11
& 12 are for asking questions & tying up loose ends. I just
got back from my tutoring session & I'm doing a lot better. I can
tell a definite improvement in my communication. And we have a pen pal
(un invisiable) from Montezo that we are writing to, so I asked Loukou
to correct my letter. She loved it & said I did a great job. There
were only a few corrections. So that made me feel good. I was talking
to Benedicte tonight about a bunch of stuff - I'm buying peanuts at
the market on Thursday - we're roasting them Thurs night to make more
PB & also just to have some for a snack. I can't wait. That PB is
awesome! Also, we were talking about alcohol for some reason. Women
don't drink or smoke here - only the prostitutes…and Americans
J. Seriously though, the American women need to be careful about alcohol
because some people see it as inappropriate simply because we're women.
But they have these 2 African liquors here - I don't know how to spell
them but they sound like "cootacoo" & "bandi"
- and I hear they are pretty rough. Oh yeah, tomorrow is Ash Wednesday
(Mercredi des Cendres) & AP asked me if I wanted to go to church.
So, that will be interesting. Loukou is Catholic also & she asked
me if I was going to fast (tu fais le careme?). It's really not that
interesting, but it's neat when it all happens in French. And I understand
it :-). So, I'm really excited right now because I spent the last hour
having a conversation with Loukou in French. We're not discussing world
politics or anything but it's still a lot of fun discovering another
language. Anyway, I better get some sleep since I didn't the last 2
nights. Hope you had a good day - I love you.
Feb 28
I slept so good last night! I only woke up once at 5…& that
was because I was cold! I meant to tell you last night Benedicte was
putting peppers into this plastic bag. It was a plastic grocery bag
from Publix. Their last volunteer gave it to them. I feel kind of bad
since all I got them was a watch :) which I haven't given to them yet.
One big thing that is different here - or with the PC rather - is that
our whole life is pretty organized…we go to school, take these
classes, get into a good college...if we need to know something we can
go to a library, get online…here they kinda just throw us in &
that's it. There is very little structure, which isn't always a bad
thing. It's just completely foreign to me. So, a lot of times I just
don't know what to do. There's not always going to be someone there
with the explanation or solution.. We will be very self-reliant after
this experience. I've got my test in about an hour, so I'm going to
go study some. Wish me luck. ~~ I think I did pretty well on my test.
I've definitely improved. It's fun being able to say stuff to people
in French. After I get really good, I'm going to write to Maw Maw in
French :-) I thought about her tonight - she probably would have liked
the Ash Wednesday service…it was pretty interesting. I'm even able
to understand more what the priest is saying, although he speaks like
I do - FAST! My slow French makes up for it :-). So, we're off to Alepe
tomorrow & I get to talk to you. I can't wait to hear how things
are at home. I miss you so much and think about you all the time. Tell
Eric I said hi & I'll write to him soon. Also, a lot of people have
told their families about his web site. Tell him I said thank you a
million times. That is so nice of him. And tell him I miss him too :-).
I love you & I'll talk to you soon. Love always ~ Nik/Rock
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