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Contact 7

"…we are fam-i-ly…& bandit..."
March 1 - March 7

March 1

Hey Mom & Dad! Today was awesome as usual. I especially needed a reassuring voice today because I just found out about my new language class & it's going to be really tough. I can do it, but I'm going to have to start staying up late studying - probably till 9 or 9:30! It's going to help me so much though, being in a more advanced class. The formateurs have a lot of faith in me! By the way Dad, will you please tell everyone at your office how much I appreciate their thoughts & prayers. And kool-aid :-)! That was so nice of them. I was talking with another staigaire today about how much stuff like that means to us over here. It really lifts your spirits. Especially because most people are super busy with their lives…it's one thing to hand write a care & put it in the mail - it's another when they send kool-aid :-) but it's definitely noticed because you can't just put these in the mail box. You have to actually go to the post office. Anyway, it really means a lot to me so be sure to tell them all thank you until I can get a "hello" out to them :-). Tonight my formateur, Loukou, came over for dinner. It's funny here - people just don't talk while they eat. I probably drive them crazy, & I really don't talk that much because it has to be in French! But it was kind of neat having her over. I think AP & Benedicte like it too. I think it is sort of an "honor" - kind of like having the American live with them. I'm really starting to have fun with my family, too, because I'm finally at a pretty good comfort speaking level with them. They know my linguistic capabilities. And the kids aren't scared of the white person anymore. I think I might actually miss them when I leave. Well, I better hit the hay. It's already 9:25 - way past my bed time! I miss you. And in case I haven't told you recently, thank you, for everything. I love you.

March 2

Good morning! Another hurried morning since it rained like crazy yesterday. I'm wearing pants & boots. I will NOT get bitten today. I've got a lot of bites on my legs. Last night, since I was still awake for the 9:30 news on VOA, I listened for a while & they had a thing on the PC & it's 40 year anniversary. It was kind of interesting. I have my first language class with the "smart class". I'm pretty nervous. I may have already said this, but please tell me when you want to call me too, because I know it's super expensive. That's why I'm trying to write everything down J. Well, I'm going to class. I'll be back later. ~~ The "mail man" came today & I got a letter from Ben & Dad's Valentine's Day card! Yippee! Ben sounded so sad in his letter. It was all about when I left, but I have his new address in Athens. We were supposed to watch them build a latrine today. But it fell through (not literally) & we got the afternoon off. That seems to be the PC way - slow bureaucracies and "miscommunication". Our APCD came by though and told us we have been placed, but she can't tell us where yet. We've gotten a little insight as to how tough our job is going to be just by living with our host families. For example, we are trying to teach people how to have clean water for drinking - but often times they use their water for many things, like said in a previous letter. So I tried asking my family why they drink the water from the marigot & their response was they can because they're African. It's good for them but not for me. There are so many traditions here. It will be very tough to change their ways. We've been told the two ways to make the villagers change are money & vanity. I have a feeling I'm going to be very frustrated for the next 2 years. Monday is the Muslim holiday Tabaski. They're sacrificing a mouton for all the stagiaires & we're having a party at the director's house (where you call me). It will be interesting to see what else goes on for that holiday. I guess I better head home for dinner. Hope you're having a good day.

March 3

Good morning! It is an awesome morning. I feel like I'm camping. It rained last night so the air is nice & cool, and I'm sitting in Dreamland waiting for class to start, enjoying the birds chirping and a little time alone. Last night my family tried to teach me the Mapooka - I have no clue how it is spelled - it's an African dance, I think, where you basically just shake your butt really fast. So they all got a kick out of the white girl trying to dance. And my little brothers are finally completely comfortable around me. They were climbing all over me yesterday. They are 1½, s & 2 (Matti, Blaise & Shemel). They are really cute - most of the time. We have language class this morning, then we're going to Alepe for bike training! We get a pump & tools today - our bikes later. I think we get mountain bikes though. Riding around her will be basically trail riding! I was thinking this morning how different my daily routine is - well little things. I wake up, shine my flashlight on my mosquito net to check for spiders J, then shine it on the floor to see if I can make it to the light switch without stepping on any critters. I get out of my net, tuck it back in to keep it "sealed" all day, then I go fill up my bucket for my bath. I go stand in this nasty smelly latrine & wash myself from a bucket! Then I get my water for the day. I have a big blue bucket with a lid in my room that Benedicte puts a big pot of boiled water in for me. So I have to refill my bottles every day. Then I walk down the sometimes muddy roads to class with all the kids yelling gongonbi - or my name - & bonjour until I get to class. It's a lot like Powder Springs. Well, class is about to start. I'll be back later. ~~ It's after dinner & the electricity is still out. It is a little weird just not having electricity, & that it's really not a big deal to these people. It's really nice outside, but hot as a butt in my room. I'm sitting in the courtyard under the stars & the moon. I almost don't need my flash light. They asked me if we tell stories in America when the moon is full. They tell ghost stories here too. It's kind of fun listening, even though I have no idea what they're saying because they're speaking Mbatto. We had our bike training today. We get Trek mountain bikes, but they are used. So they had to show us how to do everything - change the tube, they even showed us how to change the brakes U gears. I mean our bikes have grip shift, not like ours. We had to change the cables & adjust the derailers. I hope nothing happens. I don't know if I could do that again. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, but if anything major happens, I'll be hoofin' it. They are pretty nice bikes though. Oh yeah, and we had ice cream today too. I don't think ice cream has ever tasted so good. And they come in these little plastic bag things so it doesn't melt all over you. The best part of today was we learned about a program here called Women in development (WID). It's a program here to help the gender role issue - mainly to help give young girls the opportunity for an education. The program is fantastic. There's a web site called "iseebrightfutures.com" with a bunch of info on it. The one I'm interested in, & one I think I'm going to get really involved with is the scholarships for the young girls here. Kids start school around 5 - 7 years, depending on intelligence, money, # of bodies at the home who can work…then they go from CP1, CP2, CE1, CE2, CM1, CM2 - CM2 is like our 6th grade. Most boys continue on to sixemem which goes to cengieme, quatriene, troisieme, deusieme, premiere then terminal. After that, I think they are basically finished except for the very few who have a chance at the university. But basically, at CM2, they all take an exit exam to continue on to sixieme. Most boys pass this because they are able to study at home. Most girls have to repeat CM2 because they don't pass the exam the first time. The girls have to work harder because after school they have to work in the home, & the boys can study. So - this scholarship program is to encourage girls to want to stay in school. The scholarship provides housing, food, school supplies for seven years of school - sixieme through terminal (our "high school") for the equivalent of $1,500! That blew my mind. But $1,500 is so much money for the people in the village. The girl can keep her scholarship if she maintains her grades, attends a certain # of days and doesn't get pregnant. The family must have a financial need & can't work for the government here. The girls have to have certain grades, pass the exit exam & write an essay to apply. It's a huge deal. I'm just amazed that only $1,500 can house, feed & educate a girl for seven years. Look up the web site & check it out. They had a bike-a-thon here a couple weeks ago to help raise $ for the scholarships. When we move to site, it's a good project to start on because you get to know the school director & teachers and other authority heads. I can't wait to get into that one. It's strange because the mentality is so different here. If you asked these 10-12 year old girls what they want to be when they grow up, they don't understand. They are raised to work at home to cook, clean & "educate" the kids. Education, the way we know the term, is not a privilege here. An "educated" (in the school sense) is not at an advantage in this society, at least not in the village. So, we teach the girls about opportunities in the cities - if they stay in school & don't get pregnant. Sounds kind of familiar but on a totally different time line. Anyway, I think I've found my cause. I can't wait to get started on it. Well, I guess I'll go to bed. The bugs are starting to bite. See you in the morning :-) Goodnight!

March 4

Holy moly! This is what I imagined "Africa hot" to feel like. I slept maybe 3 hours last night. My room was so stinkin' hot. The power is still out, which means no fan…and which makes me hope I get a village with electricity. I was getting pissed last night because there was just no relief and I was completely soaked, along with my bed. On top of that, under my mattress (if that's what you want to call it) are wooden slats. Well, I could feel every slat after about 3 days. So, depending on how I sleep, my right butt cheek will fall asleep, or I'll pinch a nerve in my leg. That's always fun. Anyway, I'm soaked right now & I just took a bath. Gotta love Africa! We're having a BBQ today with 2 PCVs. They told us they'd fix some "American food" for us. I ate a late breakfast so I'm still safe if the food sucks J. I'm hoping Benedicte will help me make peanut butter today. We'll see if she has the time. Well, I'm off to the BBQ. I'll see you in a bit. HAMBURGERS! That was the best burger I've ever had! It was real ground beef with fresh onions & bread crumbs. It was awesome! We also had soft drinks, Pringles, watermelon. It was a small slice of heaven. Then it started pouring down rain so I had to book it home to get my clothes off the line. That's still weird - my clothes on the line. Now I'm just trying to keep this paper dry because it's so stinkin' humid. My sweat's got nowhere to go. I was talking to a PCV who lives in the NW region of CI, and she said it hasn't rained since October. She loves it up there. She also said that sometimes it gets cold enough at night for a sweater! I want to live there! She lives in a really small Muslim village (~400 people)…and she said 3 new PCVs were coming. So there is a chance for me but I don't want to get my hopes up. They also were talking about cool places to visit - top on their list were Niger & Mali. Cote d'Ivoire, though, sounds like a really cool place too. They mentioned a really beautiful beach west of something Pedro -I forgot the name. I'll definitely have a better idea before you come. Oh, & those liquors I told you about (this isn't that important) is "bongi" not "bondi" or "bandi" like I said before. If I go to a Muslim village, it won't matter anyway because they won't sell alcohol. If that's the case, I'm coming home J. I;m going to go study right now though. So enjoy your afternoon J. I forgot to tell you, AP was asking me last night what my full name is. He kept saying Ladnier Niki. So I told him Michelle Nicole Ladnier, & in the states our surname or prename - I always forget what it's called - comes last. Then I told him, even though that's my name, my friends & family call me Nik or Niki and my Dad calls me Rock. He thought that was funny. Of course he asked why. So I told him - & I could do it in French too! He just laughed. It's the same word in French but it's spelled "Roc" - at least that's how he spelled it. I haven't actually looked it up. The other funny thing that happened the other day…Benedicte was sitting by me while I was eating dinner with just a pagne on, no shirt, and she asked me if boobs looked like that in America. Now there's an odd question…while you're eating DINNER! But seriously, they are the saggiest, flattest, most stretched out boobs I've ever seen on a group of women. It must be because they tie their kids to their back, & the cloth wraps around their front. Who knows. I know you were dying to know that, weren't you J? It's almost 5. I'm going to hang out with the kids. ~~ I think it will always be strange to sit amongst people where I will never belong. I sit with all the kids & they love me - and the adults do too - but I sit there talking to myself because they're all speaking Mbatto. It's just weird. There is one kid - Shemel - my little brother - he's my favorite. He's 2, the same age as Blaise, but Blaise is a fat spoiled brat. Shemel is a sweet kid - but he's been sick his whole 2 years so he's a lot smaller. Today, he crawled into my lap and fell asleep. When I touched his arm, he was on fire. His hands, arms & heads were hotter than any skin I've ever touched. This is another thing that's just strange - he's sick so they give him traditional medicine we think, take him to the Dr. It seems so simple but it's not. Fati, my 12 year old sister, has a 2 year old sister and another one that died. I think if a kid can make it to 5 years of age here, they're in the clear. That's just not even a consideration at home. I could take everyone of the kids at my house home with me - they are all such nice kids. Well, maybe with the exception of Blaise, but he's just 2. I tried translating "terrible twos" in French to AP. I don't know if I did. I did find out that a tree fell on a power line somewhere between here & Montezo - and should be back on Tues or Wed. So I just won't be sleeping much til then. Tonight, I had to negotiate my dinner with Benedicte. I only try it every once in a while. She always fixes rice or pasta, a big thing of sauce, bread, huge salad & fruit. I tired telling her I can't eat that much but she just laughs & still stuffs me. Blaise, the 2 year old, eats more than I do. You know how it is when it's hot - nothing tastes good except ice cream & popcicles which are hard to find & non existent respectively J. So, I drink kool-aid & eat bread with homemade peanut butter. I finagled a little dinner for tomorrow since we're having a huge lunch for Tabaski. Well, I'm going to go write a few more letters & hit the sack. Wish me luck that I'll get a little sleep! I miss you

March 5

I don't know what I'm going to do if I don't have electricity. I guess find a way to get cool at night. I think these last 2 nights have been the most miserable in all my 25 years. I had to hang up my pillow case this morning. And the power probably won't be back on til tomorrow or Wed…or Thurs…who knows. It's raining again too, which is always fun. It's just so messy & you can't do anything. I can see why rain can be so depressing. We did get to go to Alepe today. For the big Muslim feast - it was really good - we had Mouton Kabobs! All the Ivorians were dressed up, but I forgot my camera. They looked sharp. All the men had on boubous - like Abdul, but they weren't pink J. The sky opened up while we were there though & it's a dirt/mud road from Alepe to Monga. I don't think travel will be very possible during the rainy season. Speaking of which - the best time to come is end of Oct - Nov…Dec - Feb-ish is kind of the "tourist" season. But that's mostly with regards to air fare I think. You'll be with me over her so we won't be where the tourists are. So, basically, the rainy season is from June - Sept/beginning Oct - so any time after that when you can find decent air fare. I'm getting so excited about finding out our sites. I think we find out soon. We better. I just want to start figuring out what my region is like, and who is going to be near me. There are pros & cons to every region. So I'm trying not to get excited about any one place. Today, I took my pagne to the tailor to get a pair of pants made. It's the same pagne that I have a picture of with Kurt's shirt on. The pants have a zipper & button front with a draw string, and 2 butt pockets like jeans. It was only ~ $4 total for the material & tailor…I'm going to like this place J! I'm going to see if Benedicte needs any help. I'll be back later. I forgot to tell you, there is something else you can send me if you want - replacement bulbs for my mini-maglites. You can probably find them at Wal-Mart but I'm almost sure you can find them at Galyans. Ask Kurt which flashlight &/or bulb if you're not sure. One of my bulbs already blew. I have one more replacement, but I may need more. Thanks J. I'm going to become a peanut before my service is over! Peanut butter has never tasted so good, & Benedicte just made another big jar! Peanuts & popcorn are super easy & cheap! I don't know if I'll be cooking a ton. I didn't like cooking for one when I had a stove and a dishwasher - it's camp cooking every day! Tonight was really good. I gave AP & Benedicte their watches. I finally feel comfortable enough to tell them how much I appreciate their hospitality. I could barely say thank you in French when I first got here. I also told them you thank them for their tremendous hospitality and all they do for me. They're going to love the pictures! They really liked the watches. They just kept saying thank you a hundred times. Especially Benedicte. She was like a 15 year old - she was cute & the watch looks really pretty on her. After 5 minutes, she was running around showing everyone. I think watches were definitely a good idea, Mom, good call. I would feel bad if I had only brought them calendars or something dinky like that. I could never repay them. So the watch was good - and the pictures will be even better. I'm buying some candles tomorrow so I won't have to keep wasting my batteries. It's completely dark at 7. So I'm stuck using my flashlight. So, I'm going to write to April. I'll be back tomorrow. Goodnight!

March 6

That was the best night's sleep! I was completely dreading going to bed, but when I did, it was not hot!! I slept like a baby. Hopefully the power will be back on tonight. I was really home sick this morning because right before I woke up, I had a dream about Dad. So it seemed like you were really there. Then I woke up and I was in Africa. I'll get over it. Hopefully I'll get some mail soon. It's amazing how much it lifts your spirit. It's time for class now. We're discussing the governmental group in CI that works on water pumps & other related systems. Tomorrow, we're supposed to go to another village to build latrines, or water pumps, or something. We aren't always very well informed. The bike training today was really good - much better than last time. We learned how to change cables, derailers, brakes - EVERYTHING! It's actually not that hard. I kind of wish I had learned earlier. There's a lot of tension in the group right now. Everyone is getting really frustrated. We're all ready for stage to be over. I picked up my pants today. They're awesome! The crotch is a little long, but next time I'll know. I'm going to keep my eye out for more cool pants ideas J. Today in class, Loukou brought me a loaf of bread from Abidjan. It was like sourdough bread. It was totally random too. I asked her why she was giving it to me & she said because she knew I liked bread. It was really nice of her. Tonight was pretty cool. Benedicte made me French fries with tons of salt. They were so yummy! Tonight was the first time I ate every bit of food she gave me. She actually came up to me and congratulated me for eating "lots". They're funny here. They're goal is to have the fattest stagiaire. When they see you they'll say "tu as bien grossi" - you have gotten nice & fat! That's the nicest thing you can say to someone. It's really interesting. The hot evening just got better. Almost as fast as it goes from day to night & night to day - the storm just flew in. It feels awesome! That means good sleeping J They're all freaking out right now though. I'm going to head to bed before it gets too crazy. I'll see you tomorrow. I love you.

March 7

It has been a long day. We went to two villages today to check out their water pumps. Before we left, I got a letter from Dad & a letter from Mr Chardos AGAIN! He is awesome! I loved your letter too, Dad. It feels like home when I get your emails - & if you haven't figured it out after 25 years, I'm all about the random thoughts. I washed my hair today for the first time in 4 days J - OK, seriously, it rained like crazy last night, right, so of course the roads were less than enjoyable. We're in Africa. So we got stuck in a big mud pit - took us about 15 minutes to get it out (imagine the "short bus" African style - a little longer, a little taller - & not yellow - no 4 wheel drive). So then we come to a big fat hill, probably about 75 yards total, not much worse than the hill we lived on in Chattanooga. So we get ¾ of the way up - we're all screaming & cheering - then he can't make it - and can't stop. So we slide backwards about 20 yards until he loses the wheel & we turn perpendicular & come within a few pounds of force from flipping over. It scared the %#@* out of me. Then they tried for 30 minutes to get it out of the mud. We just walked to the village. Nobody wanted to get back on. WELCOME TO TRANSPORT! I think that's what it's going to be like all the time. Then, when we got to the village, we were greeted by the Chief of the village with his "men". They do a "symbolic" washing of our feet. Traditionally they would wash everyone's feet to show we were taken in by the village. But instead, they gave us bongi - that liquor I was telling you about. One of the formateurs drank for everyone. So we talked with them about how they "work" their pump - do they have a water committee that's in charge of fixing it or raising the funds necessary to do so. The whole goings on was very interesting. So then we actually fixed their pump. That was really neat to see how that works. After that, we went to the 2nd village - & got stuck twice on the way! We did the same thing only we didn't fix their pump. It was a much larger village with different problems. It was definitely an eye opener as to what it's going to be like. We had a "meeting" again with the Chief (chef du village) with his "men" (les notables) - but the entire village was crowded around us. It was so frustrating because everyone was so loud - especially the kids. We couldn't hear what the Chief was saying or his notables - and we - the stagiaires - were the ones who were asking all the questions. It was the most frustrating thing so far. It's different here, because the frustrating triggers are different. At home, a meeting would never be like that. If you were too disruptive, you would be forced to leave. Now, that's not saying meetings are without their faults, but it's all in your expectations. Oh, I almost forgot. The power is back on! That means my fan is back in service!! Tonight, before dinner, I was playing with the boys (my 3 little brothers) & Blaise decided to take a leak on me. He's the 2 year old who drank his pee. It's funny because they call him a "bandit - that's French for a mischievous kid - sorry, Dad. I can't spell J. Lucky for him I hand't showered yet. I'd have thrown him down the latrine. Well, tomorrow is PHONE DAY already! I can't wait to talk to you. So, in case I forget: Dad, keep writing your letters like your emails. It feels more like "home" and you can write more J. That makes me feel good everyone's asking about me - especially Kelsey saying that in church. And you can just use your best judgement as to what you include or leave out of the "public letter" to everyone. My picture taking has slowed, but I wanted you to see everything right away. And in my picture descriptions, I did only write first names, but it is L to R…just so you'll know. So, I'll talk to you soon!!! May write tomorrow, but probably not in this letter. Wish I could see you. I really miss you. Tell everyone hi for me!
I love you ~ Nik/Rock
PS Everyone's asking who Sister Rock Ladnier is :-)

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