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Contact 11

"…moonlight dinner --- with the whole family..."
From March 31- April 4, 2001

March 31
Hey Mom & Dad! I'm sitting here in Abidjan at the hostel…It was a nauseating ride down here today. I go so car sick. You're screwed, Mom! Oh, last night, Mom, you would have been so proud of me. I got in a fight with this phone guy because he tried to take advantage of me…but I fought him for 20 minutes, in FRENCH!! I did awesome! I ended up crying though, which kind of ruined it. And I ended up paying anyway (long story). So I lost. But my small victory was my impressive argument in French. So all isn't lost :-)…like mother, like daughter :-). Dad said you were having the Plymouth people over for dinner :-). I was talking to a PCV here - Miribai - she's staying on a 3rd year and is so cool… She was giving me tons of tips on gardening, housing, running shoes…and how I can get my own eggs…by having my own chickens!! I'm so excited to try it! She said to get them vaccinated…and the chickens are only maybe $4-$5! Your daughter is going to have her own fresh farm eggs! She was giving me tips on growing peanuts, too. Why doesn't everyone join the PC? You hang out & do random fun projects for 2 years!! Ok, seriously…it will be hard. But there will be fun stuff to do in the meantime. Well, I'm going to go hang out with everyone. I'll be back later.

April 2
You crack me up, Mom. …………. I'm still having fun! I got tons of mail today! 2 packages of candy AGAIN from April. I'm not going to have any teeth when I come back. I got some Merry Widow beads from Maw Maw, pics from you, Mom and a letter from Grandma! I got 3 from Kurt too! Before I forget, Mom, as your garden blooms, send pictures so I can still enjoy it :-). I can line my wall with pictures here. Oh yeah, I got a letter from Flo today too. I had no idea how motivating letters can be…and I'm proud of both of you for all your writing :-)! It's more than my 5-6 years of college! How's Keith :-)? I was thinking about him today for some reason. I took a really cool pagne to the tailor today for some pants…button fly! He thinks I'm crazy. I can't wait to show you. And Benedicte gave me a pretty pagne as a gift. I took it today, too, to have a dress made. I'm going to wear it Sunday for Palm Sunday. I think the whole family is going to church. Usually, it's just me and AP. I can't believe stage is almost over. Sometimes 2 years seems like an eternity & sometimes I think it will be too fast. The 1st 3 months is going to be torture. But I know I'll love it once I make it my home. There are so many things I want to do here already. This culture works funny…at home, you take a job & you get to know everyone & become a family while you're doing your work. Here, you have to get to know everyone before you can do any work. You have to gain their trust & respect. You must make them believe that I'm here for the duration and I'm their friend. I'm sure there will be days where I'll swear I'm coming home - but I know it's going to be awesome. Dad, remember when I was a sophmore and we were in my room…I was crying…discussing basketball? I said I didn't want to play…but you'd be sad and I wouldn't be able to get my 16 letters if I didn't play?! Stupid, huh?! Well, it's kind of like that here… I won't get my "letter" if I go home. And I want that "letter"! ~~ It's really amazing the feeling you get when you come "home" to Monga after a trip and everyone is screaming your name & smiles busting at the seams…just for me. Who am I?! We are so different - but we are so much alike. They really have become family. AP said he thought I was coming home Sat (even though know I told him Sunday) - but Benedicte was in Abidjan… He prepared my dinner Sat night since Benedicte wasn't there. No Niki. He fell asleep on the bench outside my room waiting for me! So when I showed up Sunday evening, he was relieved to see me. He was drunk off his ass, but happy none-the-less :-). Now class is over a little early. It's like the last couple weeks of school. Nobody want to do anything. I'm going to go help Benedicte with dinner. I love you.

April 3
My pen just exploded. I got up early this morning, washed the dishes for Benedicte & washed my clothes. I have class in a few minutes. Thanks for sending me the picture of the Whitaker kids. I love it :-). I loved the teeth too, in the Mardi Gras picture… I was telling everybody they were fake. The Americans thought it was hilarious. The Ivorians weren't quite sure what to make of wearing fake teeth when you have your own. I didn't try to explain. ~ I'm in class right now & we're talking about projects that we'll become involved in. AIDS (SIDA) is huge here. When you come visit me, will you bring me my AIDS - Nutrition book? It's in one of my book rubbermaid thinks under the stairs. It's a big paper back book. I don't know if it would help, but it's interesting for me anyway :-). There are so many projects I can do - AIDS ed, sex ed, hygiene stuff, fix their pump, make a garden for myself :-). Maybe if I have chickens, the village will want to have chickens to sell eggs, make $$$ & then they'll be rich! OK, seriously - maybe they'll at least have a food protein source for their kids. Speaking of eggs…this morning I walked out of my room to eat breakfast… Blaise ("drinks his own piss Blaise") was digging into my omelet. Oh well, he needs it more. But it did look good. ~ I'm sitting in my room & a huge freakin roach is on my bed. No roach makes it out alive. I can't stand those things. Benedicte thinks I'm a baby. But you don't understand how huge they are. They could easily take a finger or a nose. Keep sending me good pictures of AP and the family. They go absolutely crazy over them. They can't understand why there aren't more because they saw me take more. I told them you were choosing the best ones because it's a little expensive. AP said he wants a picture of you, Dad. Sorry, Mom. The women get no credit here :-). Seriously though, he does want a picture of you guys. I'm getting their address before I leave so I'll be able to send it to them. I'm heading to bed. Wish me a roachless night! I love you…

April 4
If you get a chance, could you send me 1 or 2 pair of shorts to run in? There's one pair that's blue with white stripes down the side - Adidas…the other one you can send can be any of the other ones with stripes down the side (Prospirit - I think) - the pair in the best condition. I have one pair now, but if you get a chance, I could use 1 or 2 more. Thanks :-). You won't get this til after we've already figured it out - but I think day light savings time makes us just a 4 hour difference. I don't think time changed here. Who knows. Can't wait to talk to you tomorrow. I got a letter from Beverly today. That was really nice of her. It's a gorgeous day right now. We're all hanging out in Dreamland, enjoying our last week together. I'm ready to go to site. But I'm going to miss talking :-). Watch out when I find a phone! ~ I just finished eating dinner…in the courtyard, on the ground, with EVERYONE! It's the first time!!! I asked Benedicte if I could & she looked at me like I was crazy. So she said "if your want"…then sent Fati to get the table & table cloth…So I said no - here on the ground with you. She finally said OK. It was so nice to eat under the stars - & the moon could light up Monga tonight. ~ Benedicte helped me make soap tonight too, so I would know how. It's super easy & a lot cheaper than buying it - 5 L water, 3 ½ L oil (specially prepared) & ½ kg acid! I can't wait to make it at site! OK. I'm off to bed…& talking to you tomorrow. I love you & miss you.
Love, Niki/Rock