Well, as you all know I got a job in Chicago... on the south side. I think in my last message I was pretty excited about getting back to work. So, this is going to be a little review of the last two weeks of my life.. with some reflections from my other teaching experiences. Before I start, let me just remind you that I now teach junior high.

Day 1:

I had a little bit of an orientation in the morning which I was happy about because I was a little nervous that they were going to expect me to walk in and teach... but then I just realized I was having flashbacks of my first day of teaching. Anyway- in the morning I had a bit of an orientation and found out that I was going to be teaching with another guy who is preparing them for the upcoming ISAT. So right now the deal is that I'm teaching the first half of class and he's teaching the second half. This is going to go on until March. And I can't lie, I'm not too upset about that. I was a little nervous because I haven't had the best experiences with other teachers in my room but so far it's going well. But I guess I'm getting a little ahead of myself. Okay, back to day one. So after I was done with my meeting I went to meet my first class. Of course when you very first meet your students they listen and there's always one who has a smart comment or something of that sort. I had one inappropriate comment from a 7th grade boy-- I won't quote him but he made a comment about my body and I pretended like I didn't hear him until after I was done speaking, which is when I told him that I would give him a fresh start tomorrow and told him that for future reference he should know that I have the best ears ever! He was embarrassed and stayed quiet after that. The other big event from the first day of school occurred when the bell rang and all the students left the building. As soon as most of the students exited the building a group of guys in a car drove by and started shooting at our students. Of course everyone ran back inside and the police were called and thankfully no one was hurt. So overall, a pretty eventful day.

The rest of the week was interesting. I introduced my rules as I usually do and had a big talk about respect and didn't expect any problems because I've never had classroom management problems. Having said that, I realize I've only been there for two weeks but I'm not big on junior high. Before I walked into this job I expected these kids to be like my Calumet (the first school I worked at) kids and have the same issues, etc. Well I was pretty wrong to say the least. A lot of them are pretty spoiled, have their own blackberries, etc. So, yeah. Don't get me wrong- I'm thankful for my job. But it does confirm that I love my high schoolers and I love kids who need me. I don't have a lot of patience for any child, no matter the age, who doesn't listen and shut up when someone tells them to do so.... not that I tell my kids to shut up. I don't. Let me just say that I have a whole new respect for junior high teachers. I mean I'm going to do it. I will conquer these little kiddies (not what I call them in private..ha) one day. But I can't promise that I won't continue to look for an administrative job.

I think the only other thing that is worth mentioning is that one of the smallest students I have had to be removed from the classroom after talking back to the other teacher and then when the dean came in to get him he dared him to come get him... keep in mind that this kid weighs like 85 pounds and the dean is a big guy. So he walked over and dragged him out. The best part is that no one even knows why he was mad in the first place! Gotta love kids....

Reflection:

I remember my first day of teaching ever. I received my "report to work" paper and walked in my school at about 10 am and when I asked, "Do you want me to tell the substitute to leave?" they replied, "There's no teacher up there." I knew it was going to be interesting from that moment. When I walked in the room there were kids playing cards, sitting on desks, listening to music, sleeping, and whatever else they wanted to do. The room was filthy and there was a hole big enough for my head to fit through in the chalkboard. The first thing they wanted to know was how long I was gonna last. The second question was if I was scared. The third question, and the last I remember from that particular day was if I would go on a date with one of the guys in the class. When I responded with, "no, I'm pretty sure that's illegal" he responded with, "No it's not. I'm 20." I had just turned 22...

Well I've decided to continue with my blog. I've noticed in the last 2 months that I kept in touch with people better when I was living in another continent and if you ask me that just doesn't make a lot of sense. I loved keeping in touch with all of you on a regular basis and if you're interested, then I will keep this up just to keep everyone updated with my life in general.

One of my regrets was not keeping a journal of my experiences when I previously taught on the south side of Chicago. Since I'm going back I thought that I'd make this an online journal of life in general, yes, but also share my experiences as a teacher. Even though I'm probably working in a "better" school (which basically means more organized with better behavior) I'm sure there will still be entertaining stories as every teacher has. So if you're interested then you can check back here for updates!

I've been back for 2 months now. It will officially be 2 months tomorrow. It hasn't been easy adjusting and mentally it's a lot harder than I thought. I'm not gonna lie... there have been days where I've thought that it was a mistake coming back home. I've had feelings of guilt, depression, disappointment, and thoughts that I just gave up... that I should've tried harder to make a change. But the fact is that I'm home. I'm glad to be home. I'm ready to get back into my life. The big news is that after almost 2 months without a job (which is CRAZY for me. I've been working since I was 14 I think), which seemed more like 6 months, I got a job. I applied for a lot of jobs throughout November and December and the one that I ended up getting I think will be perfect. At least I hope so. I know that everything seems great at first, no matter where you go but I was impressed with the school. I'll be teaching junior high Spanish on the south side of Chicago. It's fairly close to my old school and I feel at home in the area so that's exciting. I've decided to live at home probably until May or June and then I may move in with my cousin or see if I need to move to the city again. I've already bought a car and a cell phone so I'm back in the swing of things as far as communication and transportation goes! It's so convenient to live in this country. I still think of Africa on a daily basis. There is always something that reminds me of The Gambia whether it's a smell or song. I'm also still in touch with Tara and Natasha and I can't wait to get a paycheck so I can send them a package! The other thing that I think about often is Tijan. I still want him here with me. I don't know if I'll be able to live with myself knowing that I can bring him to the United States and change his world... without doing it that is. So in the next year or two I hope to save some money and maybe buy a house-- even possibly apply for an administrators job (and get it!) and go back to The Gambia and get Tijan. And if things go really well then I'll bring his "cousin" too. I can't forget about them.

So! I start my first day of work on January 7th and I'm gonna start getting my teachers boxes out of storage tomorrow. I have to thank Dr. Gray or helping me with job resources and your knowledge. You've been a help to me since the first day I met you. And thank you all for your continued prayers and support. Many of you have emailed and asked for updates and just offered your support and it's much appreciated. I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Years! Keep in touch! I will try to upload my Africa pictures since I now have access to do so!

Well, I have to be honest and say that I don't really know where to start. I'm home. And many of you have been emailing and wondering what's next, how I'm feeling, how my mom reacted, etc. So I will do my best to inform you of my life since my arrival in the states.

First of all, let me tell you about my moms reaction. So when I told my dad that I was coming I suggested that he tell mom that he had to pick up a football recruit at the airport because I couldn't think of any other reason that they would leave the homecoming basketball game to go to the airport. But, last I talked to him he hadn't decided what he was going to say. So anyway, the plan was for him to pick me up in Chicago at 9:30ish and I didn't know if mom would be with him or not. My flight got in a couple hours earlier so I just sat downstairs and people watched (particularly this one lady with a bright green and brown outfit on... brown cowboy boots with green jewerly on them, her hair done, and her dog in a little carrier who she later got out and put a sweater on... that had a hood-- yeah, just a bit of culture shock there). I had just got done telling this guy that I was coming back from Africa and surprising my mom and I turned around and saw her and dad. I got my camera out and yelled Vicki. So she turns towards me and just stares. So I get up and start walking towards her and say, "mom!" She continues to stare for about 15 seconds and then says, "Marie, is that you?" And I go over and hug her and dad and we all cry and cry and cry... and we get done and look over and this guy is crying too. It was pretty funny. The same thing happened with my sister-- I walked in the house and she was sitting on the couch and she jumped back like she'd seen a ghost... and then the tears came again. Then I had to see my cousin so I had my brother-n-law call her and tell her there was an emergency at the house (mean, I know) and when she walked in the crying started all over again. So it was fun overall. It was very exhausting, but fun.

So the big question is, "What now?" That's what everyone wants to know and that's the first question I get asked after the infamous "So how was it?"

So! To be perfectly honest it has been a very hard adjustment. Of course I'm glad to be back with my family but I've never been so broke and jobless in my life. My mom and dad have been incredibly supportive so I'm very lucky (as usual) but it's hard coming back and not being able to explain to anyone what I've been through. It's officially been a month since I've been back and I still don't have a job. I have applied to some places that I've always wanted to work that would just be considered fun jobs and it didn't work out. And I've applied to some teaching jobs (even elementary) and haven't heard anything from them either. There was one school that wanted me to be a full time sub (with no benefits) but I don't think I'm interested. They said that they didn't want to lose me and they definitely want me to come back next school year but that's no help right now. So! And on top of all that the question is whether or not I want to teach and I'm not completely sure. I'd much rather be an administrator of some type but with no experience I think that'll be a hard transition. So for now I'm trying to be patient and tomorrow I think I'll apply at some banks. I just need to make some money. And on top of that, I don't think November is a good time to look for a teaching job... or any type of education job for that matter. Some days are good and some days are not and I've definitely broke down a couple of times since I've been home because there are days when I wonder why all this happened and just think about the fact that everything wasn't suppose to end this way but I'm trying to stay positive.

Okay- well I have to apologize that it's taken me so long and I will definitely try to keep everyone posted! Please keep in touch and thank you soooo much for praying for me and keeping me in your thoughts. :)

October 27, 2007

Well, after much thought and deliberation, I’ve decided to go home! I have to tell you, when I started this experience I never even let the thought of going home early enter my mind. Even through the entire harassment situation and even when I got robbed. I remember my mom asking either that day or the next if I was staying and I said, “oh yeah, I’m not coming home.” But this last week when I talked about transferring and then they were telling me how it’s a difficult process and to not get my hopes up, etc. it was the first time that I thought about going home. So I started looking for jobs on the Internet and I’ve seen a couple of possibilities. But even then I thought I would come home in January. But when Tuesdays and Fridays roll around and I don’t want to go to work (and I only work 2 days a week) I thought, “What am I staying here for?” I mean there are 2 football games left, Thanksgiving, and Christmas from now to January and I think that’s too much to miss! Plus, when I started to think about going home I became extremely happy. And it was an unfamiliar feeling; I realized I haven’t been happy for a really long time. And in the long run, I think my happiness has to be somewhat important. So I’m keeping it very private… as a matter of fact, by the time this is posted I will already be home. If I haven’t said before, PC tends to be a small circle sometimes and it’s like a college campus as far as gossip goes. I’ve never been one to deal with such rubbish and I don’t want to start now. Plus, I don’t feel like explaining myself to a million people- most of them people who don’t even know me.

So! The greatest thing about all of this is that I’m not telling my mom! I’m going to surprise her! I’m soooooo excited. I emailed my dad and he’s the only one that knows; so I don’t know how we’re gonna pull this one off since I’ll be getting in on ONU’s Homecoming weekend but we’ll see. I’m scheduled to leave on Thursday and will be getting in on Friday evening sometime. Also, my dad says that my brother will be in town and everything. It honestly may be too much to handle. I can’t really grasp the fact that I’m going home. I don’t know when it will hit me. And I think it’s going to be a hard process. Besides the fact that I have no job, car, money, or even a phone, I just have mixed feelings about a lot of things. Part of me feels really guilty. I feel guilty for leaving Tara and Natasha, for having the choice to come to a country and live a completely comfortable life. Part of me feels like a quitter. Even though I don’t see myself as giving up because it’s not like I can’t take PC or Africa—it’s just that I’m not doing anything productive.

So I started the process on Friday- I have to do a bit of paperwork and get a physical again. I also have to write a description of my work and close bank accounts, etc. I’m excited to buy souvenirs for my family and I’ve been stealing some of Nat’s and Tara’s pictures. I’m just so excited. I’m so excited to see my mom and dad and the rest of my family… and my cousin, Bethany. I’ll get to see the last 2 football games too. But I’m also a little nervous about adjusting to the American lifestyle again. I don’t know how it will feel. I’m really emotional anyway and there are definitely going to be some things that are completely overwhelming. And I’m nervous about seeing people and answering questions. I know people are going to say, “How’s Africa?” And honestly, there is no word to describe it… I don’t know if it’s possible to explain this experience. I mean there is no doubt that the country is beautiful so I guess I could comment on that. And I don’t want to group The Gambia with the rest of the continent as if it’s all the same because it’s not. I’m sure I’ll find something to say when the time comes.

I’ll never regret this experience. I’m glad I came. I’ve made really good friends that I know will be in my life years from now. And I’ve learned so much in the past 6 months. I’ve learned so much about the world and religion and culture. I definitely will have a lot to take home.

Funny side note…

So while I was at the beach today (because I’m spending as much time there as I can in the remainder of my time here) I was lying in my chair and this bumster starts yelling at me. So he basically says the following:

Bumster; “Hey nice lady! Hey! Hello? Hello? Hello? Nice lady, how are you? How’s the day? Nice lady, come on and answer me.”

About a 3-5 minute break here---

And he continues: “Hello, nice lady? Boss lady? Nanga def? Salamaaleekum. I know you can speak the local language and you don’t want to speak it? Hello? Boss lady, how are you? Okay, nice girl. You are very nice. Answer me because I’m tired of yelling at you! Boss lady!”

Now I have to say I was feeling pretty calm today so I wasn’t super annoyed but I was annoyed a little- until that last sentence… and then I just started laughing out loud. I mean, really, who say’s that? He said he was tired of yelling like someone was making him or like it was his job to do so! Too funny…. And that’s really bumsters/the majority of Gambian men in a nutshell. I’m not going to miss that.

October 29, 2007

Well, I’m officially out of money. I went shopping yesterday and today to the craft markets to buy souvenirs for my family and I finished today and now have 50 dalasi to eat until Thursday… which is about 2 dollars. But it’s totally worth it. I remember when I got back from Ecuador, I regretted not bought anything to remember my trip so I didn’t want to make that mistake this time. I have to admit that I’ve been very happy since Friday—when I announced that I was coming home and started all the paperwork. There are a lot of things you have to do. I’m done with pretty much everything except for the medical stuff… lots of tests, blood work, etc. Fun stuff! But I actually feel more productive now than I have because I have stuff to do during the day!

Yesterday Tara and I went to a couple different markets and my mom and dad called while we were there. Little did she know I was shopping for her! I can’t wait to see everyone. I can’t wait to see my family’s face.

Anyway, today I went and did more paper work and went to the nurse’s office to start the whole medical process. It should be over on Wednesday. I also found out today that I leave on Thursday night and get home on Friday night. I’m still pretty nervous about life in America but I’m excited to go—the anticipation is killing me. I’m just gonna be really, really said to leave Tara and Natasha. Tara and I pretty much go everywhere together and I think we understand each other well. I mean if we’re not together then people are asking where “the other one is.” They’re not used to seeing us by ourselves. But I’m looking forward to sending them care packages and letters too!

October 30, 2007

More medical stuff today… and more paperwork… but tomorrow I should have everything finished so that Wednesday and Thursday I can hang out at the beach all day before I leave on Thursday night. I must say, today was one of those days where I was thinking, “only 2 more days… only 2 more days.” Although it still hasn’t hit me that I’m leaving either—I don’t know when it will. Even when I get home I think I’ll be waiting to leave again or at least it will feel like I’m suppose to come back to Africa. It’ll be weird to have my days without Tara and Natasha.

I have no idea what I want to do when I get back either. There are a couple Spanish teaching positions on the Chicago Public Schools website but a lot of times that isn’t updated so I don’t know if their actual openings. And there is another program for people who want to be principals that I’m sort of interested in. But part of me just wants to get a job at a clothing store and get myself together. But one thing is for sure... I need a job. I’m trying not to worry about it as God has always provided so I’m sure I’ll find something.

I’m so anxious about seeing my moms face at the airport or where ever I see her for the first time. I really can’t wait. And of course I can’t wait to see my dads either- that’s not what I mean, but he’s expecting to see me and my mom will be shocked.

Well, I’m off to eat dinner at Tara’s and then go to the internet!

November 2, 2007

Well I am officially in the United States. I’m sitting in a New York airport with an African outfit on and people are looking at me like I’m crazy. It’s pretty entertaining to watch people who want to look at you but don’t want you to know that they want to look at you…haha. I just appreciate that they are trying to hide it instead of yelling “boss lady” at me. I actually appreciate it that they act like they aren’t looking at me.

Anyway, I cried when we touched down on the runway. I’m sure the people around me thought I was crazy but I couldn’t hold back. I can’t imagine when I actually touch down in Chicago. I left The Gambia last night—and it was extremely hard for the simple fact that I was leaving Tara behind. It’s really the hardest thing I’ve had to do since I arrived in that country. I felt so bad that I seriously thought about saying, “stop the car.” But I’m praying for her and she’s a strong girl so I know she’ll be okay and make whatever decisions will make her happy. But I already miss her. I grew very attached to our friendship and we were together, I’d say 90% of the time. But I know it’s not the last time I’ll see her. And at least Natasha is still there.

They fed us on the plane. The first meal was white meat, boneless chicken with rice! Amazing! I mean, don’t get me wrong- I definitely got really sick because I ate normal, cooked food but it was totally worth it. That meal was served on the way to Brussels… and then on the way to New York from Brussels they fed us boneless chicken again! This time they gave us mashed potatoes and green beans too! And some apple dessert that was delicious. So I’ve come to the conclusion that either Brussels and Continental Airlines have the best food ever or I’ve been out of civilization for way too long. I’m thinking it’s probably the latter. But it’s okay with me!

Another funny thing is that I’m carrying around these paintings that I bought for my mom and dad, sister and brother and so many people have asked me if I painted them. I’m such a horrible artist so I find it hilarious that people would even have the thought in their head that I’m talented in that way. I think it must be the outfit that I’m wearing… maybe the only way they can make sense of me wearing an African outfit is that I’m an artist.

I’m pretty much in culture shock right now. I’m sitting in this airport looking at everyone talk on their cell phones, race from one thing to another as if life will stop if they just slow down… the majority of people looking very nice and clean with fresh haircuts and make-up. And most of all, I don’t stick out (except for the outfit that I mentioned earlier). I am so happy to be in this country. I think it has to be the most organized country in the world.

On another subject, I cannot wait to see my moms face! I can’t describe in words how excited I am!... and everyone else’s face too, for that matter. I mean, no one knows I’m even in the United States right now! It’s a crazy feeling.

Side Note-- In The Gambia, there are no lines… what I mean by that is that people don’t stand in lines for anything and if they do (which is at the bank because they form one for you with those little line things), you can literally feel their breath on the back of your neck because they are standing so close to you. When you’re standing in the street waiting for a taxi, it doesn’t matter who got there first. If you’re in the grocery standing in “line” waiting for a register to open and someone just happens to walk by and get in front of you no one says anything! Or some people, if they think you won’t say anything then they just literally crowd right in front of you (I ALWAYS said something). For example, one time I’m standing in the road and this taxi pulls up and I’m holding the door waiting for this woman to get out so that I can get in and this woman walks up from no where with her kid and pushes me out of the way and gets in! And I was holding the door! I mean, she ran in front of me! Now this time I didn’t say anything because there was a child present… I just smacked my lips nice and loud. Another example… in the Banjul airport when they were boarding our flight they announced, “You can now board for flight yada, yada” and then everyone goes up in one time—in a big crowd! Not in a line, of course.

The point is, this is one thing that I will not miss about the Gambia. I love that people stand in line here. I love that if you are standing in line then you have room to move without feeling someone’s hot breath down your neck!! Okay, I’m done venting now. ☺

So, to keep ourselves busy and updated on life, Tara and I now spend our nights at the PC office on the internet. I know that it may sound pathetic but our other choice is sitting in our apartments staring at the wall and letting Macy bite us till she falls asleep.

So- with that background information (pause here: I just put my hand on my head to brush back my hair and there was a bug in it. EWWWW) we're sitting here and Tara is watching music videos and one came on by Ludacris. Ludacris is a rapper and he has this song and the chorus says, "I feel like slapping somebody today" and it repeats a couple of times (and yes, I'm serious- that's how the song goes). So anyway, we're sitting here watching the video and I turn to Tara and in all seriousness say, "you know, I feel like slapping somebody everyday... you think that's a problem?" And then we both burst out in laughter.... but I was serious. :)

I was sitting at Nada's yesterday when I felt something crawling on me (which now does not cause me to freak out because it's a normal occurrence) and I look down and there is a spider crawling up my chest... in my shirt!! So I calmly pick the spider up and put it on the table in front of me and then proceeded to SMASH IT!! Actually Tara smashed it because I was too busy having the chills and shaking all over while saying "ew". It wasn't huge, probably the size of a dime but the worst part was that it was red. I hate red spiders!

I also have bumps all over my back and side and I think I get these mysterious bites when I sleep. That's comforting, right?

The good news for this week is that PC says that I'll get packages tomorrow. And there are suppose to be 2! I'm pretty stinkin' excited for that. So, tomorrow will be a good day!

October 24, 2007

Well, it’s been a while again, huh? Just when I said I’d get better at updating… sorry! To tell you the honest truth, I kind of haven’t written on purpose. I haven’t been feeling very positive lately and have had a rough week and I didn’t want to put that on my blog. I try to keep this thing as nice and politically correct as possible. But the fact is that I’m feeling like I’m pretty done with The Gambia. Don’t get me wrong, I have good days; and usually when I have good days they’re close to great but the majority of my days are filled with harassment. There are some things that I haven’t included in this journal and one of them has had a pretty big impact on my service here. On my third or fourth day in The Gambia I started to get harassed by a Peace Corps staff. Now this guy was one of the people who met us at the airport and we were told that if we needed anything that we could trust him so I was confused, to say the least, when this started happening. This harassment lasted all the way through training and then turned into a sexual harassment case in August. It has been taken care of but it still didn’t add to my happiness in this country. About two weeks after that was when the robbery occurred and as you all know, it has taken a while but I’ve pretty much recovered from that too. I mean it has definitely altered the way I think and sometimes gets the best of me but for the most part, it’s over. I write all of this to say this: when I was going through these things I still had in my head that I was here to make a difference and I thought that my work would keep me here. So, knowing that the University position isn’t really what I had in mind and that it consists of teaching 6 people, at the very most, for 2 hours a week, I was counting on the local orphanage. I visited the orphanage last week with Tara and to be very honest it was a complete disappointment. They weren’t interested at all and told me to email, which I’ve done already and she said, “Well, email again… you know how those things are… they get deleted sometimes.” This is when my mood and attitude began to change. I’ve done a lot to get here… in the Peace Corps. I’m not a straight out of college graduate that came here because I don’t know what I want to do with my life or because I want a 2-year vacation. I came here to make a difference. I came here to help people that no one else will help. Helping people and making a difference in people’s lives has always fulfilled me. It’s not about the money or the popularity or the outward appearances. I knew that if I was doing something worthwhile that everything I gave up to be here, well, it would be worth it. But what now? I’m teaching 3 hours a week in a place where the students have enough money to pay to get there and I know that if I left tomorrow there would be no problem finding someone to take my place. So, what am I doing? Okay- so because of all of this I’ve decided to ask for a country transfer. There are 2 programs that I’ve been looking at that have to do with helping at-risk youth, which is something that I love and that I’ve always had a passion for. If I am accepted for either of these programs they will probably start in February and I’ll have to do training all over again but I think that it’s worth it. Both of the programs are in Latin America so I’d also be speaking Spanish so at the very least I’d be improving that aspect of my career. The thing is, it’s not a guarantee that I’ll be allowed to transfer. Apparently it’s up to the country director and depends on if they have a place for me. Overall, it’s pretty disappointing and so right now I’m just trying to keep my head up. Please keep me in your prayers as I make a difficult decision because if the transfer doesn’t happen I don’t know what I’ll do next.

More on this…

The other really hard thing to deal with is that I signed up for the PC wondering if I’d be able to live without air conditioning, running water, electricity, hot showers, etc. And you know what? I’m past all of that. I’m used to living without water and electricity most days. I know how to have a back-up water supply and how to live and get ready by candlelight. Taking bucket baths has become normal… bathing with cold water has become normal. I can kill spiders that are bigger than the palm of my hand without any problem. It never occurred to me that the thing I would have to worry about was my work assignment and feeling like I’m doing something helpful…

The other thing about this country…

You know, when we came here I remember someone saying that the problem with this country was not that it needed help but that it was so accustomed to the help it receives. What they were saying was that there are plenty of volunteers and non-profit organizations that are based here. They have plenty of people from Europe and the rest of the world sending them money. When I heard this I thought it was just another bitter person who was being pessimistic or who liked to complain. But as I’ve been here the past five months I’ve come to realize that they were right in a way. Most organizations/people that we help want us to do things for them. We’re here to help them learn how to successfully run a business, computer program, or school not to do it for them. And there are so many organizations here that many people will just sit until you do it for them and if you don’t then they’ll just wait for the next person to come. It’s crazy!

You know, the other day one of my friends called me from the states. He’s Nigerian and he just found out I was here and the first thing he said was “Why are you in The Gambia?” And he went on to say how far behind they are (as far as development goes) and that he’s been here before. During our conversation he said, “I know if a group of Nigerians were in culture shock, coming from Nigeria, that you Americans probably didn’t know what to do!” It was pretty funny… but more than funny it was interesting to hear that the rest of Africa is “not like this.”

But- more than anything I don’t want to sound like I’m complaining. I realize this blog isn’t necessarily happy… but I still know that I’m blessed. I have nothing to complain about. I have an amazing family that has supported me since I’ve left home. I have great friends. I have a great home church. I have the choice to return to a country where I can get a job and live comfortably for the rest of my life. I will never have to worry about having enough to eat or whether or not I’ll have shelter. I’m healthy. I’m educated. I will never forget this and I don’t mean to sound like I forget it now. I have a God that is faithful to me no matter how faithful I am to him. And I live in a society where I am free to praise Him. I’m unbelievably blessed. I guess this is one of the reasons that it’s so frustrating that it’s not that simple to help others who are in need right now. I don’t understand why it has to be so hard.

October 13, 2007

Today is Koriteh which is the last day of Ramadan… so everyone gets dressed up in their nicest clothes and the women get their hair done. The kids go around and ask people for candy or money which happens to us anyway so that’s nothing new except that their dressed up today. I think that some families have celebrations but since we don’t live in a family compound we don’t get to experience that. But of course we are going to have our own celebration and get dressed up and go dancing!

Macy is as wild as ever. As I speak she is climbing up my back while biting me—feels great! I forgot that kittens are so hyper! She loves to attack my feet and bite me so depending on what mood I’m in it’s either really cute or really annoying. I have scratches all over me and she already likes to sleep on my lap—she sits at my feet and meows until I pick her up! Can you believe that? She’s already spoiled.

As for the bug life: my spider bite is slowly getting better, but I saw the biggest spider I’ve seen in my apartment the other night when I was going to sleep. I tried to spray it but I don’t know if I got it. It was huge and disgusting. Then, because I was so freaked out about the spider I went to sit down in my chair just to relax and I see a cockroach on my chair—yeah, the one I was sitting in! And here’s news: did you know that African cockroaches fly?!? That’s right, they fly! So not only are they disgusting but they’re hard to kill because when you get close they fly away! This place is crazy…

October 16, 2007

You know, when I came here I would hear volunteers speak using Gambian English (which is sort of the queens English with an African accent) and I thought it was ridiculous. I’ve always been one of those people who think that when people have an accent after three months of living somewhere different it’s pretty much made up. So anyway like I was saying, I thought it was crazy but after living here a while I realize that you truly start speaking different and sometimes you have to in order for people to understand you. So I thought I’d include some new things that I’ve either had to say for people to understand me or that I am realizing that I do without thinking about it…

My old English vs. My New English

Water-- wattah

Butter--buttah

I haven’t eaten yet.--I have yet to eat.

Do you have change?--Are you having change?

Yes--click my tongue once in the back of my mouth

No--click my tongue twice in the front of my mouth

Can you give me a ride?--You can drop me?

I’ll be right back.--I’m coming.

They didn’t get the mail today.--They have yet to pick the mails.

What’s your problem?--What’s your local problem?

While I was walking to work today I noticed that I passed a group of guys cutting weeds with machetes and didn’t think anything about it. You know you’re in Africa when you’re used to seeing people walk down the street with a machete.

I had six people in class today. It was one of my better days… class went well and then after one of my students ask me to help her with an assignment for another class. She has to talk to someone and find out what a typical American family is like. I’m really excited to help her but I also don’t know which typical family to tell her about. I could tell her about my family but I realize that having parents that are not divorced isn’t really that typical in America these days. I guess we’ll see what she wants. At least I can say that it’s illegal to have more than one wife… and usually people don’t have 15 kids although I’m related to someone with 16 brothers and sisters! So who knows? We’ll see what she’s looking for…

And the greatest news of the day is that I watched ‘So you think you can dance’ on TV at Nada’s and I saw a commercial for the Grammy’s and Khalil said Tara and I could come watch them at 7 tonight!!!! When I told Tara she said, “Is it weird that I’m so excited?” And I said, “uh, no! I can’t explain how excited I am!” It’s the small rewards in life that really count, right?

You also know you’re in Africa when 10-12 year old boys come up to you and say, “Give me your watch!” or “Toubab, I love you!” Who teachers little boys to say that?!?

So it’s still October 16 and today was a great day. I went to the office and got a package from my mom and dad (yay!) and then Tara and I went to Nada’s and watched the Grammy’s (from this last year), Seinfeld, and Frasier… and then we found out he had music videos! It’s really weird to see people already that we’ve never heard of. I’m going to be totally out of it when I get back entertainment-wise. So anyway, now I have a battery for my computer AND my textbook! That’s too much excitement for one day!

I got a kitten... and I love her dearly but you know when you want a kitten or puppy and all you can do is think about how cute they are and then you get one and remember that they're pretty annoying like the whole first year of their life!?! That's the stage I'm in right now... but I like her.

I also have more updates than the one below but I must have forgotten to save it so I'll have to include it at a later date.

October 11, 2007

So yesterday turned out to be a pretty terrific day. I was feeling kind of sluggish and Tara came over and convinced me to go to the beach with her and one of our friends. So he took us to a beach that it about an hour away and it was amazing! There was a little place to get cold drinks and then we drove on the beach for awhile and met his brother and some other people and we were the only people on the beach! It was completely secluded… so Tara and I swam for a bit and then just laid on the beach and watched all the crabs dig holes in the sand. It was great. But the even better news is that while we were drinking our cokes before we started driving on the beach my friend left and told me he had a surprise for me. So, it came up in a conversation before that I’d like a kitten but it was a while back so I didn’t really think about it and sure enough he comes around the corner with a kitten! So now I have a kitten! And she’s adorable, although she’s making a lot of noise right now while she gets used to being inside. I made her a litter box out of a box that one of my packages came in and right now she’s eating tuna I bought from a local store that I don’t like because it’s too fishy. But she seems to be enjoying it a lot. She’s black and white with a black face. So now Tara, Natasha and I have a kitten. It’s very exciting. It’s days like yesterday that Africa is great. Today Tara and I went to look for cat stuff but there seems to be a minimal supply. I heard there is a vet around here somewhere so I need to find him. She seems pretty healthy and plays a lot but she has fleas so I need to do something about that. But overall, I’m very excited. Oh, and I’ve named her Macy.

Only 2 more days till Ramadan is over! I'm excited. But that also means that there are a ton of public holidays (whenever the President says so) which means that PC still hasn't picked up my packages!! I know they are there and no one will pick them up! Frustrating... hopefully tomorrow or Friday.

I did get a letter today from Betty (thanks!!) so that was fun... and the card sang a song so I got to dance too!

October 1, 2007

Yesterday was a good day. I’m feeling more normal every day and am slowly getting my self confidence back. I’m getting used to the harassment again without feeling like something is going to happen to me so things are getting better. I would say back to normal but Africa isn’t quite normal yet. There are still too many random things to remind me I’m not at home. And I finally feel like I’m getting settled in my house. There are so many things you need to buy when you’re moving into an apartment and on my budget it’s going to take a long time. Today I bought a much needed cutting board and knife for cooking… and yes, I’m finally cooking. I have one main vegetable guy now who usually throws in a couple extra goodies after I’ve paid him if I don’t argue too much about the price. I eat things here that I’d never think of eating in the states. Pretty much everything is fresh here so you have to buy and eat every couple of days if you know what I mean. Preservatives aren’t quite so popular here as in the States. I eat avacado, tomatoe and cucumber rolled up in Lebanese bread, ramen noodles (did you know they were a world wide food?) with vegetable soup on top, and my favorite snack is peanut butter and Lebanese bread. Sometimes for a snack I’ll have a mango… the food is generally pretty good. But anyway, I ran some errands today and feel like I got a lot accomplished. Oh, and I also bought a notebook because I found a Arabic teacher! So that gives me something to look forward to…

October 2, 2007

I found a site on the internet that has the Arabic alphabet and beginning lessons for free… and I gave my first sheet of translations to Khalil, who is my teacher. He’s great… he owns a little restaurant here and at night I just stop by and we sit outside (usually Tara comes too) and he fixes hot tea and gives us sweets and I practice my Arabic. This is going to be a very relaxing, nice tradition.

October 3, 2007

Well, I have to be honest; this morning when I was out I felt like it was National Harassment Day and somebody forgot to tell me! Again, it’s normal for men to hiss, or say “boss lady,” “nice lady,” “sister,” etc. as you walk but today there were A LOT. And on my way to meet my co-worker for a meeting (who by the way, had a car breakdown so he couldn’t make it) one guy stopped beside me and got off his bike to walk with me even though I wasn’t responding and then when I did I made it clear that I didn’t want to chat… “buguma waxtan” in Wolof… so that was annoying. And then I go to the nurse’s office and as I turn the corner to go down the street this older man says, “sister.. excuse me! Sister!” So silly me, I think that maybe I dropped something or he’s trying to be nice so I turn around and he takes my hand (and won’t let go until I literally pull it away with all my strength) and says, “Do you live here or are you just visiting?’ Hearing this I start to walk away and he says, “No, don’t go… I need a job. Can you please give me a job?” And as I say, “I don’t have work for you” and try to turn around he grabs my arm and pulls me towards him and that’s when I said…. Quite loudly…. “Don’t you dare touch me!” And he got the point. But, even though I was completely appalled and annoyed (and slightly amused he asked me for a job seeing how I don’t even have one) I have to also admit that I was pretty proud of myself for scaring the brotha! Ha! I’m slowly returning back to normal…

I also visited a craft market today to get some ideas for Christmas presents and that was a good experience. It’s always neat to watch someone carve a masterpiece out of wood or make great jewelry out of natural stones. It refreshed my memory to why I’ve always had a passion for Africa and their people.

And what really made my day is that I got a package!!! My sister sent me a package and of course it was perfect! And of course I’m sitting here full because I ate half a bag of Chex Mix! But it’s totally worth it… Thank you Jill!! Love you and miss you lots!

Hopefully tonight I’ll make it down to Khalil’s to practice some Arabic.

TAXI!

I don’t think I’ve ever explained how the taxi system works here. There are two types of taxi’s. One is yellow and one is green. The green taxi’s are meant for a town trip. A town trip is if you want a ride to a specific place or if you want them to take you off of the main road. These cars are used by tourists 99% of the time. The yellow taxi’s run in three directions. They go up and down the three main roads that we have here and so you can get in for 5 dalasi and get out when you want as long as it’s on the main road. So- the problem is that the yellow taxi’s think they can trick you because you’re a toubab and you don’t know any better so they’ll drive up (or do a U-turn in the middle of the road to come get you) and say, “Yes, get in, town trip.” And then you have to say that you “know it’s suppose to be 5-5 because I live here!” But, of course, that’s just an example…

October 5, 2007

Well it’s the weekend! Another week has passed in The Gambia. I had class this morning and I think it went pretty well. I had five students which is pretty good. We talked about some educational theories and I gave them a short assignment; they’re beginning to talk more in class so that’s encouraging. I was really excited today because PC told me I had a package coming today and so I sat and waited for an hour after the office closed to get it off the mail truck only to be told that they didn’t pick them up today. Aagh! And Monday is a public holiday so I have to wait until Wednesday… which wouldn’t be so bad if I didn’t know there is a philosophy of education textbook on its way. I need that book! Oh well, patience is a virtue, right? And I did get a letter from one of my friends so that made me feel much better.

I’ve had three Arabic lessons so far. I can greet now and ask people where they’re from so that’s exciting. And even better is that my teacher and I are becoming great friends. Just when I thought it wasn’t possible to have a male friend in this country I’ve made one. It’s refreshing. He’s going fishing this weekend and has invited Tara and I to go so maybe that will be fun. I haven’t decided if I’m going yet but I think it would be nice to get away for a day. And tonight we’re going to play pool. It’s refreshing at the end of the day to go and hang out with someone who can teach you so much. He’s lived in Lebanon, Ivory Coast and here, so he has a lot of stories. I love meeting people who have had such a different life than me; I find it so interesting.

I went to the beach yesterday for the first time since the robbery so that’s gotta be a good sign. I’m becoming normal again and it feels nice. I couldn’t have done it without all of your encouragement and prayers so I can’t thank you enough!

Until next time…

October 7, 2007

Yesterday was a pretty good day. Tara and I went to Khalil’s restaurant because he has a TV and we watched a movie and he gave us watermelon, which was a great surprise. As far as fruit goes here, there are different seasons when you can get certain things and watermelon season has officially begun. But they’re really expensive and a little too big for me to carry on a thirty-minute walk home so I was excited to get some. And then he invited us back for a Lebanese dinner that was excellent. We had rice that was kind of sweet and it had almonds, raisins, and shredded chicken in it. So good! It sure beats bread and peanut butter, which is what I make the majority of the time!

I’m missing home today as it’s the day of the Chicago Marathon and my brother is running in it without me! So of course I wish I could be there; I miss the city. I didn’t realize how much I loved Chicago until I moved here. Plus I know that my mom and dad are there walking around… my dad with a Green Bay shirt on the day the Bears play them- in Chicago!...haha… he’s great.

So while we were sitting at the restaurant Friday (most restaurants here are open or they have tables outside) eating lunch we see this big crowd of people coming. There is a guy in front surrounded by a few adults and there was a crowd of about 60 people following them (mostly kids) and most of them were holding sticks in the air. So of course I’m like, “What the heck is going on?” And the women who work at the restaurant start laughing and say, “It’s a thief.” So apparently this guy was in big trouble. They said they were probably taking him to the police station to get him locked up or to beat him. Oh my gosh, you’d think I’d be happy to see that with my experience with thieves here but I felt so sorry for the guy. Can you imagine being paraded down the main street in your town/city for everyone to see? It was crazy… Only in Africa.

This coming week is the last week of Ramadan so that’s exciting (I say that as if I’m fasting). I hear there will be a big celebration when it’s over so I’m excited to see what this is all about. I think people will be much happier once this is over; and probably more productive. Things tend to slow down a bit during this time period since everyone is starving.

October 9, 2007

Well I had four in class today. I couldn’t find too much on Behaviorism or Positivism which is what I was suppose to be teaching on… I know I’ve said this before but I can’t wait until I get that textbook! This Friday is a public holiday so I won’t have class. It’s the end of Ramadan so looks like the rest of this week is free for me. Unless of course the computer guy calls and maybe I’ll start there.

In other recent news, the bitik owner (bitik’s are these little convenient stores… they have candy, bread, lightbulbs, etc. If they have electricity then they’ll have juice and maybe even cokes… but not like our convenient stores in the states AT ALL. They are about 7 x 7 feet… very small and very packed with random things; cement floor, etc.) tried to convert me to a Muslim by the following conversation…

Him: Oh, Mariama! Nanga def? Nakum? (Hey marie, how are you? What’s up?)

Me: Man fii. Naka ligey bi? (I’m here only… how’s the work going?)

Him: Jama rek. Um, Mariama, you Muslim? (Peace only.. beginning broken English)

Me: Deedeet (No)

Him: You know, Muslim bu baax (Muslim is very nice)

Me: Baax naa… I’m sure it is. I’m Christian. (Okay…)

Him: Baax naa. You switch? (Okay…)

Me: No… deedeet. (No… and no!)

Him: baax na, jerejef! (Okay, thank you)

Me: Ok, be ci kanam. (Ok, see you later)

I guess you gotta give it to the guy for trying…haha. He’s a nice guy; from Maurtania. He smiles a lot.

Other than that nothing new is really going on. I think I might have a bug in my bed because I wake up with random bites so that kind of sucks. Oh, and remember the spiders that pee on you? Yeah, I’m pretty sure one of those got me too. I woke up with this big red spot on my back and it stung all day and then that whole area of my back hurt for about a day. And after a day it turned into this big scab so that’s what it seems like happened. But I’ve been putting medicine on it and it’s slowly, slowly getting better. And PC is picking up packages tomorrow so I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

Well, September is almost over; another month down... I think this week I'll start looking for secondary projects. I'm feeling better lately as far as my safety goes, and being paranoid goes. But one of the people that I'm closest to in our group is leaving so that sucks but I'm sure we'll remain friends even after she's gone. I'm also feeling homesick lately. A couple people have mentioned Christmas and I can't even begin to think about that. Last night I couldn't help but thinking about everyone celebrating the win from our football team; it's hard to know everything is going on without you. But I'm trying to stay positive. I just have to remember that this isn't permanent and I'll look back on it and be glad I was here.

A new group of volunteers came in this week so I don't know how available the computers will be but I'll try to update more often than I have been!

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Well I had four people in class yesterday which usually means I shouldn’t start because I found out that there is suppose to be eleven. But, with the class I missed this week I decided we needed to get started. So the first official day of teaching went well. Hopefully more people will show up; if not, I guess we’ll really get to know each other!

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned that it’s Ramadan here—it’s a month in the Muslim religion where everyone has to fast from sun up to sun down. During this time (5:15-7:15 generally) you’re not allowed to have anything in your mouth… this includes water, mints, candy, cigarettes, etc. And let me just remind you that it’s hot outside! So it’s a month that we were told about but I had no idea it would be like this. Pretty much everything shuts down… you’re also not suppose to leave the house/go out or have any thoughts with emotion. Soooo, yeah. And it’s not the most polite thing to go out to eat while the cook can’t eat. Anyway, during this time there isn’t much to do but Thursday we went to a place called, The Green Mamba. A couple weeks ago I met a man who said he knew a lot of PCV’s and told me he owned this place and it’s really nice and has pool tables, etc. So we went there Thursday night to play some pool. While we were there he gave us free drinks and asked us if we’d ever eaten there (and of course we hadn’t because it’s like 500 dalasi a plate!) and we said we hadn’t so he invited us back to have dinner on the house. So, last night we went there to have dinner and it’s definitely one of the top moments that I’ve had since I’ve been here. The food is a buffet of all fresh vegetables and meat and you go and pick out what you want, sauce and all, and then they fix it and bring it to you… and you can go back as much as you want. It was delicious! There is no way on earth that we could afford a meal like that and the entire thing was totally free and he had a table reserved for us. The restaurant is outside and all of the tables are huts with flowers down the side and lit by candlelight. It was just amazing. It was definitely the perfect end to a very stressful week.

Saturday, September 29, 2007

Well, it’s been a long time. This last week was interesting. Last Saturday I started thinking about my options… and how uncomfortable I was here. So I talked to my parents and told them I was going to find out the protocol for switching countries. I in no way decided I was leaving but with everything that’s been going on, I’ve felt a lack of control which isn’t a familiar feeling for me. So I went in Monday and talked to the right people about what my options are and for the first time I got really mad. There is another situation that is happening, and has been happening since I got in the country; it’s not something I can write about here but it just added to the stress of things. So when I talked to someone about switching countries I felt that what happened to me was sort of downplayed. And for the first time since the robbery, I felt rage. I don’t know exactly why or whom I was mad at, I just know I was mad. I’ve never been one of those people who says, “Why me?” I try very hard not to go there; I think I was just mad that I even had to think about transferring… that I came to a country to help and I’ve been through so much crap instead. So- that’s part of the reason I haven’t updated everyone on my status. On Tuesday I talked to another person and that went much better but I was still thinking about leaving but throughout the week as I continued to get more comfortable walking around and being in my apartment the thought is slowly going away. A big factor is that I have made two really great friends and I don’t think that people like this come along very often. And if I went to another country there is a chance that I would be more alone than I am here. So I am staying. There are still things that make me paranoid and I look around a lot, something that I never used to do. But slowly I know things will get better.

I had class this week and Tuesday was the usual. I had three students and a fourth one came with about five minutes left in class. But Thursday… get ready for this… I had six! And they were all there within twenty minutes of the start of class! I changed one of my classes to start a half an hour later so that they would be able to get there on time so we’ll see if that makes a difference. Class went well. I still am really lacking resources but my dad is sending me a book so I’m trying to be patient. It will be so much easier when I have a resource.

In other news, another group of volunteers came on Thursday. In The Gambia/PC, there are three groups: education, agriculture, and health. Each year the country gets a new group. So the new agriculture group came Thursday. It’s so weird that we’re not the new people anymore. I was in the medical office checking in and there were ten volunteers there with band-aids on their arms from the shots… it was such an odd thing. When I walked in one of them said, “We’re new!” And I said, “Yeah, I know… you’re all very clean. You’ll develop a permanent sweat glow once you’ve been here for a while.” And they all laughed… but I was serious. One guy told me he’d seen a picture of me online. That’s exactly what I was telling people when I got here. I guess it just proves that time is moving on! Tara and I just figured out that in two months we’ll have a year and a half left instead of two years. It’s bizarre!

My next move is to figure out what I want to do for a secondary project, which is something that every PCV is suppose to have. I emailed an orphanage that’s in the area so we’ll see if they need any help. If not, I may volunteer at the American School, which is the Embassy school. I’ve been told that they have a new little boy who speaks Spanish and is having a hard time following rules… that’s right up my alley.

Tonight, well, I think I have to go dancing. I need to relax and have some fun. By the way, I love the music here; even if you don’t understand the words the rhythm takes over you… it’s sort of like a contagious laugh. I promise from now on I will do a better job with these updates and put more interesting stuff! Thanks to all of you again for praying and keeping in touch. It means so much.

They say what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger… I’m still waiting for the last part to take effect! I want to thank everyone for your prayers and thoughts. I don’t think I could’ve gotten through this without them. Your emails and comments are so comforting. It’s been a rough week to say the least but I’m slowly getting back to normal. I have class today and am going to try to occupy myself with other things. Like I said before, I’m still looking for an Arabic teacher and maybe will look for some books to read. It’s nice to have time off but it also allows me to think a lot, which can be good and bad. All kinds of thoughts have gone through my head. I thought about leaving, getting transferred somewhere else, moving to a different apartment but I think I will stay put. I’ve decided going anywhere by myself would be worse and I don’t want to leave my friends. Please keep me in your prayers. My days are much better but I’m still a little paranoid at night. I slept in my apartment last night for the first time...

I have a lot to say and it’s difficult to know where to start so I will just start from Sunday—the day of the robbery.

Sunday:

I woke up Sunday kind of in a bad place. The night before I had an argument with one of my friends from Lebanon… and was sort of in culture shock about how women are treated in this culture. So I woke up with a lot of things on my mind and was sort of stressed. But I’ll come back to that conversation later. Tara and Natasha came to my apartment and told me that we were going to the beach, which has become a Sunday tradition. So we left our apartment at 3:00 and went to the beach. It’s funny because when we got there we started to put down our stuff and this is what was said…

Me: Today’s just one of those days. I can feel it.

Tara: What do you mean?

Me: I should’ve stayed home. As soon as I woke up I knew it’s just one of those days where everything goes wrong. I shouldn’t have left my house.

And I walked down the stairs to the beach. I laid there for a couple of hours and Tara and I discussed women in this culture and soon it was a little after 5. My mom had said they were calling at 5:30 and I didn’t want to be at the beach so I told Tara and Natasha I was leaving and they said they’d meet me at home. As I walked up to my compound my phone rang and it was my mom. Feeling relieved that I was talking to my family I walked in my compound, unlocked my door (said hello to my dad, asked what happened in Saturdays game) and saw my bed… The window directly over my bed was opened and I remember being confused because I’d never opened that window before. I lifted up the curtain to find my screen completely cut open. At this point I knew someone had been in my house and I told my parents to call me back in an hour. It still didn’t even enter my mind that they had taken anything. I went straight to my landlord and told him someone had broken into my house… and this is when I thought about what they could take. I ran back to my apartment and saw that my laptop, camera, my laptop bag, and my wallet were gone. The robber had went through some of my stuff; my med kit (PC gives us a sort of briefcase of medicine) was scattered across my bed and my clothes were messed up and last, and the thing that still doesn’t make sense to me is that my orange juice was on my bed.

At this point I was thinking that there were two people. My windows had bars on them, vertically, and it didn’t occur to me that someone could actually fit through the bars. I figured that there were two people, one who had come through the door and they passed the stuff through the window. Meanwhile, my landlord kept saying that it wasn’t possible and that it didn’t make any sense—basically acting like I stole my own stuff, which only made matters worse. So I called our Security Officer (who we are suppose to contact if anything happens) and he didn’t answer. Great! So then I called one of our directors and told him that I needed help and I wasn’t leaving until I had someone from the PC with me. My landlord was saying we needed to go to the police and I wasn’t going there with him by myself; that’s the only thing I knew. Meanwhile, I had texted Tara and Natasha and they came home right away. Soon, our director came and he contacted the U.S. Embassy so that someone could escort us to the police station.

While we were waiting on him to come, my neighbor who lives above me came home and said he had heard what happened. He is my landlord’s brother, and was at the beach with us… he’s a really nice guy… it was at this time that he showed me that someone could fit through the bars in my window. This guy is about 6’3 but very thin and he bent over and put half of this body through the window. This actually made me feel much better because it took away my thought that someone could get through my front door either with the key or without.

So! After the embassy person came, we all went to the police station so that I could make an official statement. Let me just try to describe the police station to you… have you ever seen one of those old western movies where there is just one wooden counter that opens so that you can walk through it? And then to the right you see a row of steel bars with the prisoners behind them but the whole thing is one big room? Yeah- that’s exactly how it was. So we drive in the “station” and there is one guy outside drinking tea… who turns out to be the policeman. He comes in, lifts up the counter and gets behind it… lights a cigarette, opens 2 or 3 drawers until he finds a blank sheet of paper. Meanwhile, prisoners come to the bars and start saying, “Oh, hello… can we talk to you?’ “So sorry what happened.” So while I’m trying to ignore the prisoner (whose eyes go in two completely different direction), the policeman says, “Um, does anyone have a pen?” Luckily, Tara did. So he starts writing, “Name,” “Address,” etc. and then tells me to write down my statement. After I was done, the policeman comes to my house and checks out the scene and then leaves. So now… we wait.

Let me just stop here and say that I thank the Lord for Natasha and Tara. I think that I’d be on a plane home if it weren’t for them… so anyway; Tara brings over her laptop to my house and we all shut all the windows and make sure everything is closed and they bring over food and juice and we watched a movie together on her laptop. I told our director and the embassy guy that I would sleep with Tara that night. So the movie gets over and I’m feeling crappy and scared but I needed a shower. So I told them I would be okay while I took a shower and then I’d be over to sleep at Tara’s. So Tara and Natasha walk out of my house, I walk to the shower, turn on the water and get my face wet and hear someone banging on the door. This all literally happens within 3 minutes. So I tell myself that it’s not my door and then I hear a louder bang. So I shut off the water and hear men outside my door saying, “Come out!” And then lots of yelling and cursing. At this point I start to shake (I’ve never shaken with fear before… I thought it was just a saying I think) and I call Tara and ask her if she knows what is going on and she doesn’t so then I call my director and tell him to “get me out of here!” Soon after I hear Natasha’s voice and she tells me it’s okay and that I need to come outside. The story was that someone had found the robber and they brought him to my house to make sure I had all of my stuff… and they were going to beat him. By the time I got outside, the guy got away but my stuff was there. The embassy guy comes back and they go looking for the guy but can’t find him and Tara and I go to sleep at the PC house.

Monday

I didn’t sleep very well Sunday night. Even though I knew that I was safe, every noise I heard scared me. My head was heavy and aching and I just wanted to sleep.

At about 7:30, which to me is very early, someone comes in and says that PC is outside and they want to go to my house. So I get up, annoyed to say the least and when I get outside they say, “oh, no we didn’t want you, we just want your key.” So I give them my key and head to the PC office. That day someone dropped a bag of stuff they found in Serekunda market (which is a huge, congested market) that had my ID in it. So they call me and tell me to come get it and all of my stuff is in there. Everything! My wallet, my ID’s, all of my cards and letters… amazing to say the least. Everyone in the office just kept saying that they couldn’t believe that I got my stuff back and that stuff like that just doesn’t happen. I told them I was blessed and there were a lot of people praying.

So, still feeling pretty exhausted and paranoid, Tara and I went to get ice cream (yes, it was necessary) with the 50 dalasi that belonged to the robber… he only stole about 20 dalasi out of my wallet and somehow I got 55 back!

After this, the country director, the other director (who I’ve been referring to the whole time) and our education director came to my apartment to take a look and talk. They expressed their condolences and said if I needed anything to let them know. They also looked at the windows and decided that I needed horizontal bars as well as vertical. After that the day kind of seems fuzzy…

Tuesday

I slept with Tara last night. I’m feeling better physically. My head doesn’t hurt anymore but emotionally I’m kind of a mess. I’m trying to be strong because I feel silly… it’s not like anyone attacked me. But there is this feeling of paranoia. Knowing someone was watching me, looked through all of my stuff, was in my house, etc. And they haven’t put bars on my windows yet so I don’t think I can sleep in there until that happens. They did come by and fix the screens.

I’m kind of worried about Alpha (who is my neighbor from upstairs). I have a feeling he is the one who found this guy… and everyone was blaming him and saying it was probably his friends. And when I said that he showed me that he could fit through the window they took that and ran with it too. He’s very nice and been very helpful so I hope he’s okay. I know his brother (landlord) was really mean and they got in a fight because he just wanted someone to blame.

Wednesday

I was going to try and sleep in my house last night but couldn’t do it. The fact that he came in the window directly above my bed is the worse thing I think. And that he was probably on my bed, drinking my orange juice… I can’t get myself to sleep in that bed yet. Thankfully I didn’t have my sheet on there so I did put that on today and I feel better about it.

I’ve never been one of those people who have been scared of people. I pride myself on being able to get along with everyone. I think it’s of the utmost importance to not judge people based on their appearance. I’ve dated people who most people would be scared of if they saw them in a dark alley. And I guess it still doesn’t have anything to do with looks but just of people in general. It’s very normal here to have men come up to you on the street and want to chat and walk with you, etc. and before I didn’t really care and now I’m nervous. I wonder if they’re going to follow me home or take something from me or tell someone else that I’m gone. I hate being like this…. I’m sure it’s just a phase but I feel foolish for being uncomfortable in my own house. And- when I was checking out my computer today I found out that he changed some stuff… setting on my I Tunes, he was watching a DVD that was still in the computer, and he took pictures of himself. So now, yes, it’s a good thing that I have pictures and I can take them to someone to have them sent to the embassy but I also can’t get his face out of my head.

I was so close to sleeping in my bed tonight… but I’m not ready yet.

Thursday/Yesterday

Well I got up this morning and decided it was time to get out of this rut. I took a shower and washed my hair (it’s a big deal because I hardly do it..haha) and went into town to go to the Embassy. Of course when I got there they wouldn’t let me in and the guy wasn’t there. So I went to the office and gave the pictures to someone and they are going to email them. I told them that I didn’t want this thing swept under the rug because I have a feeling it might be since I got my stuff back.

I’m feeling a little better emotionally; I did a lot of praying yesterday… you know, to be honest I had missed my devotions a couple of days last week… isn’t it funny that when we’re going through things and we need the Lord the most we’re too busy to ask him for help! That’s how things happen sometimes with me anyway. I’m so thankful that God loves us all the time and answers prayers all the time, even if we don’t deserve it.

Alpha (neighbor upstairs) stopped by today. And I was right, he was the one who went on the search and found my stuff. And he was blamed for it because they thought these guys were his friends. He said that he knew the guy who was in charge of the whole thing but the guy who actually came and robbed my house, well; he had never been here before. And evidently he wasn’t out for my apartment specifically, it just happened to be an easy target.

I’ve been thinking a lot about people… people who do things like this. I have a lot of friends who are drug dealers, robbers… gangsters. That’s another reason it’s such an uncomfortable feeling for me to be scared of anyone. Because I know these people and I really care for them. I know they are just normal people who most of the time are desperate in one way or another. Most of the time, at least in my experience, if you are involved in something or something happens to you it’s because you put yourself in that situation. Most of the crimes that I’ve seen are between gangs, or because of drugs, or relationships. And even when my friends rob an innocent person, which doesn’t happen very often, it’s not some random person who is defenseless. But here… yes, people are desperate but it’s a different kind of desperate. They are desperate for money because they need to eat, or maybe because they are bored. I don’t know… but what’s the answer here? What’s the solution? In the States we can blame it on bad neighborhoods and it’s really easy not to feel sorry for the person because they have a choice in what their doing. There are jobs that are available, everyone gets to go to school and if they want then they can be successful in school but here, well they don’t have those choices. If you can’t read, and there aren’t jobs available, and you don’t have someone telling you what’s right and wrong, well then you’re screwed. You have to do something to survive. And if a toubab with a laptop and a camera is your answer for this year’s salary, then so be it. It’s nothing personal.

Dear friends,

This all classifies as a bona fide miracle!! Everything has been recovered--EVERYTHING!! The Education Director of the country said that that NEVER happens and he couldn't believe it. The bag found by the road and turned in to the PC office had her wallet and every card and piece of paper that had been in her wallet--including all of her pass codes for her accounts! She told the Education Director that I had posted what had happened on the internet and asked people to pray and he said that prayer works! The "robber" (don't know what else to call him) did delete all of her pictures on her camera. Hopefully, he didn't delete stuff on her computer. She is still at the PC house. They have inspected her apartment and are going to put up new net, fix the windows and put cross bars on the windows also (there are vertical bars on now, but they are pretty far apart). They think that he possibly could have put a boy thru the window. So far, he is still not in custody. The country director has talked to her about leaving or maybe transferring but he says that The Gambia is one of the safest countries in which the Peace Corps operates. They want her to stay. She is trying to sort thru her feelings and so far is leaning to staying put. She doesn't want to retrain or leave her friends. And she doesn't really want to give up on Africa. She didn't sleep well last night and is fearful for the first time in her life. So, she still needs prayer to deal with the situation and be alone again. She feels that the support from the Peace Corps is good. Anyway, she is planning to get to a computer sometime this week and update this. But she asked me to thank everyone and let you know that God is sure working on her behalf and she is trying to get things back to normal. THANKS AGAIN FOR CARING. You will never know how helpful it is to have the support of kind people.

Mama Noose

Well, I had just gotten home from church and was cancelling another credit card when the phone rang and it was Marie saying, "call me right back." Now, I had talked to her right before I went to church and we decided since it would be midnight her time before I got back that I would just call her tomorrow. She was exhausted and had a ferocious headache so was going to try and go to bed. She was going to stay with her friend across the hall. So, they walked her to her apartment so she could take a shower. She locked the door, got undressed and had just gotten in the shower (it was about midnight) and people started banging on her door and cursing, etc. She said that she was terrified (she said that she was literally shaking all over and figured that maybe he had come back to get her). She grabbed her phone and called the PC official and said that he had to come and get her out of there. She said everyone outside of her door was screaming and yelling. Finally, the police came, etc. and Tara and Natasha convinced her to let them in. Seems her "family" (who she rents from and lives in her compound in front of her apartment) had gone looking for whoever broke into her apartment and had seen someone with her computer bag. So, they grabbed him and brought him to her door and were planning on beating him for her. It gets weird here. So, she has her stuff back--at least her computer and camera and there was $55 dalasi in the bag (she only had $40--so apparently she now has his money also!). She doesn't have any of her personal letters or her wallet, but the credit and debit card were in there, too. But, the guy got away again??? So, the police are looking for him. The family said over and over that he was a stranger and not from the neighborhood and that had never happened before, etc., etc. So, she and Tara are at the Peace Corps house and they are supposed to meet with the country director in the morning and go to the police again and Embassy, etc. We will call her tomorrow and see what is going on. Pray for some peace of mind for her and that she won't be afraid. But God is so good and we couldn't be more thrilled that she got her laptop and camera back. THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS. It has been an exhausting full day, but at least we will sleep better.

Mama Noose

HORRIBLE NEWS. Today is the day we call Marie. She was walking into her apartment as she answered the phone and realized right away that someone had been there. We hung up and called back in an hour. Someone had cut away the nets over her windows and crawled in thru the bars. They stole her laptop, her camera, her laptop case and her wallet. Also every card and letter she has received since she has been there was in her laptop case so she has nothing from home. Of course, she is devastated. She left to go to the Embassy office and we will try and contact her later this evening. Also, the PC office computers have been broken and "down" since Tuesday so she has to pay even to write online. Her money was in her wallet so she right now has nothing except her phone and ipod. I am assuming that the PC will issue her more money. PLEASE PRAY FOR HER. She is also feeling violated as someone has been in her place. She does have a guard who stays at her door during the night (and her door was still locked) but obviously someone was watching her. I will update you as I know. THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS. I have been able to cancel her debit and credit card.

From Anna Marie's mom

Hello all... I have time for a quick update; first of all, the computers at PC are officially down so that's why it's been a while and if you email me then I may not respond right away. But I've found an internet cafe and I'll do my best. It's just that I have to pay and the connection is a bit slow.

I went to work today and was suppose to have class at 10:30... and was notified that we had a meeting at 9. So I went in and as soon as I got there I was told I should cancel class so I went over to the building and hung up a sign and then the meeting got over at.... 10:28. Yeah... that's all I will say about that. The meeting was with myself and 4 older men from Gambia and Nigeria. It's always intersting.

In other news... I've decided that I'm going to be committed to learning Arabic. As I've mentioned before, I have a lot of Lebanese friends here and they all speak Arabic and we've talked a bit about their country and the middle east in general. And the other day I picked up a book about America in Iraq and I'm definitely not going to talk about politics but I couldn't put it down! So it all just made sense. There needs to be a better understanding of Muslim countries... and their culture. And I love the language anyway. So I have a friend who can speak, read and write Arabic (most can just speak it for some reason) and he says he will teach me. And I ask him if he wanted me to pay him and he said, "No! I would like to pay you! You want to learn my language!!" So I think if I really commit myself then I should be pretty good by the time I leave.

And before I go (running out of time) I have to say THANK YOU to Abby (and say congratulations!!!!!) and Aunt Teri and Uncle Dale. I got your packages today and I love them! They're perfect. Thanks, thanks, thanks. I will be writing you all soon. And to B Noose; I got your letter today and I laughed out loud the whole time. Thank you! Also, thanks to Uncle Jim for your comments.

I've been asked lately about what to send me and I must say that you've all sent me great things; I don't think there is really any way it could get better. But if you're interested then I'd like to read any non fiction books on politics, international relations, the Middle East or world affairs in general.

I'm feeling better lately and am really getting passionate about some things so I think I'm finding my way slowly, slowly. There are still difficult days but you all make things much easier with your constant comments and care. Love you all! Keep me in your prayers!

This is Tijans family. Some of the babies are his nephews and nieces and his mom has on the orange hair wrap- she's standing right in front of his dad, who is the village chief. He has 4 wives... Tijans mom, the 2 women next to her (our right) and the women who is sitting with the blue and yellow head wrap. Tijan is all the way to the left with my Puma hat on! Too cute!

Me and my horse!

Today was my first class and I've taken some notes so that you too can experience it with me...

7:50- I arrive at work and the entire place is empty

8:04- student #1 arrives (class starts at 8)

8:17- student #2 arrives

8:19- a lady comes in and says she needs to sweep the floors and so the three of us go outside while she sweeps

8:38- a wasp that has been flying around my head and the room gets a little too close to the ceiling fan and gets sent spiraling across the room.

8:42- student #3!

9:04- student #4 arrives

After this I decide to formally introduce myself and tell eveyone what to expect in the class but also realize that people (my whole class) is missing so I announce that we will try again on Friday at 10:30.

Also, I have to say a THANK YOU to Jill, Aunt Sharon, mom, dad, Dr. Gray, and Teri for letting me know I'm in your thoughts and prayers. It is much needed and appreciated.

Tonight we are going to dinner because one of the PCV's in our group has decided to go home... this isn't for everyone! And that will be followed on some research on Philosophy of Education. :)

farming in village...

women in my compound pounding coos-coos

This is Tijan... you can't see him well but I love the picture-he's the one on the donkey

my morning visitors :)

Look at it's chicks underneath...

my favorite boys! Left to right... Ousanou, Kalidu, Ebou, and Tijan!

me and my baby... :)

September 6, 2007

I’ve officially lost my mind. I just went into the kitchen and there was a spider on my window so I killed it like I usually do but as I stood there and watched it die (because I sprayed it so they go through this whole ordeal of running and then being still and then completely freaking out) I felt horrible. I mean it was just minding its own business spinning a web and I killed it. And I say I’ve lost my mind because I’m very sincere about the whole thing. Sooo yeah… I don’t know what’s got into me- Africa I guess. And the lizard that I mentioned was in my house a couple days ago is still here. I saw him last night before I went to bed and I don’t know what to do about that either because I’m definitely not killing a lizard but I can’t catch it either. I don’t know if it goes in and out or if it’s stuck in my apartment. If it is I’m afraid it will die. If anyone has a solution please let me know...haha.

My landlord brought me a new stovetop yesterday still in the box… which is really exciting except for the fact that I don’t know how to hook it up to the gas. So I put it all together (all by myself!) but now I don’t know how to hook it up.

Last night I went out with one of my new friends and we sat around and had this tea that I guess they always drink in Lebanon. It was really good. Most of the conversation was in Arabic but I loved hearing it. It was really nice; but I did get devoured by mosquitoes. They asked me what I was doing here and when I tried to explain that I came here to help they said I was crazy. One guy was like, “so you left your family and job and sold your car to come here to live and they’re not paying you?” And I just smiled. It’s funny that they have the same reaction as most Americans I told.

September 7, 2007

Well I got 4 packages today!! I was walking through the office and everyone was like, “Are those all yours?” It was really exciting. So a big THANK YOU to mom and Linda. They are perfect!! I can’t explain how exciting it is to take a package home and open it. And I got so much stuff! It’s soooo helpful; I can’t thank you enough.

Last night the Kombo girls and I went to another PCV’s house who also lives in town and she made us chicken sandwiches and salad. It was really great. Then we went to play pool…. Today as soon as I got up I went into the office because I knew it was mail day and then we came home and went to the beach all day! It was great. And there weren’t even any bumsters or kids there… it was unbelievable. That may sound really mean to some of you but the thing is- you really can’t go to the beach, or anywhere for that matter without getting harassed. And usually if we go to the beach we just want to relax but instead you have people saying, “Hey, nice lady” “Toubab” “Hey beautiful lady, can I run with you?” “Hello… let me help you pick up sea shells” etc, etc, etc. It gets pretty annoying after a bit. That’s what happened last time we went in addition to a group of about 10 boys who were around the age of 12 buck naked making obscene gestures at us…. At one point they were like 5 feet away and they wouldn’t leave. Their a little old to be running around naked if you ask me. This is the time when I wish that we had male with us because there was nothing we could do to get them away. We tried to ignore them, tell them to leave in English and Wolof and nothing works. But being in a country where women are still not really highly respected the only way to get them away would’ve been to have a guy friend with us. It sucks. But anyway! Today was great. So tonight we are going to someone’s house that our other roommate is house-sitting. That should be exciting.

September 10, 2007

Well let me start off by saying that the dinner at the house-sitting residence was great. Our PCV friend who fixed it is a dietician in the states so he fixed garlic bread with tomatoes on top, pasta, and fried eggplant. It was yummy. I eat things here that I would never think about eating in the States… like eggplant. But it was good. And the house we went to was very nice and had TV and everything; it was the first house I’ve been to that looked like it belonged in the States… which I guess I’m trying to say it was normal by my standards. We watched David Letterman! Well, I made them… Natasha had never seen it and Tara couldn’t understand why I liked it either. But I just had to watch it. Anyway, the house is owned by somebody who works at the U.S. Embassy so I’m going to talk to her when she gets back and see what she does there. I’m interested to find out… seems like a pretty good deal!

On Saturday I pretty much relaxed all day… just ran some errands. I should’ve been preparing for my class that I have tomorrow but I’m a procrastinator so I didn’t. I got to talk to my parents, sister, and my nephews, who sound so old!

Saturday night we went out to our usual spot but since we have friends now we didn’t have to take a taxi so that’s very nice especially since people are only offering us town trips now.

Yesterday I finally started my work; I went to the office and did some research and I think that I have a pretty good idea of what I’m teaching. I wrote a course outline so we’ll see. I was suppose to take it in today to show my co-worker but had some trouble with my hard drive so I wasn’t able to do that. But tomorrow is indeed my first class… when I went in today he showed me where I’ll be teaching and there is a white board but I was informed that they didn’t have any markers, just chalk. And the markers here are really expensive – I can’t afford them at least. Luckily I was able to get some from the PC office until the University buys some. I asked for a roster today and was informed that when everyone gets there tomorrow I’ll just pass around a sheet and have them sign their name. And I have no grading guidelines either. So basically this is going to be fun! Hopefully I’ll do okay. It’ll be here before you know it.

I have to be honest and say that mentally I’ve been kind of a mess lately… at least for me. I consider myself a pretty independent person. In the states I was pretty confident in what I was doing and I’ve been single for a long time so I never worried about being lonely here. It never entered my mind. But it’s difficult because during the day I may meet new people and spend time with them and it will be really exciting and interesting but at the end of the day I go home and am just reminded that I live in Africa, by myself. I’m very lucky I have my girls here; but even those are new relationships so there are some things that I need to talk about and there is literally no one here who will understand. It’s an up and down rollercoaster each day. I can’t imagine how exhausted some famous people have to be… there are days where I don’t want to leave the house because I don’t want to be yelled, hissed, or stared at. I can’t imagine people actually taking pictures. And the people that I do talk to I have to constantly wonder if they’re actually interested in being my friend or if they want something from me. And usually it turns out there is something they think I can do for them because of the way I look. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not miserable but it’s like I just realized that I just took my whole life and turned it upside down. It’s challenging. There’s also a very thin line between being friendly with someone and them thinking that you should get married! I know it sounds funny but I’m living in a country where the norm is for the mother and father to pick a spouse for their child and then pay an amount to the bride’s family (along with Kola nuts, which are nuts that are traditional to this country- they’re very bitter and have a lot of caffeine). And don’t forget that you can have as many wives as you want. And that’s that. Or in the “modern” places you may get to see the person first and if you both like each other in the first or second meeting then hey, you should get married! What’s so difficult about that, right? All in all, I’m just trying to explain that there are challenges- sometimes it’s very easy and other times…well, not so much.

Here are some more pics..

This is a picture that I accidentally took when everyone was crowded around me looking at my camera... but it turned out to be one of my favorites. It just shows how close we all were and how they were so interested..

The inside of my hut in village

If you look closely (or click on the picture to make it larger) then you can see my host brother in the tree... with a machete... this is how they cut down leaves for the goats and other animals. These kids can climb trees like nobody's business!

I love goats!! Really, they are my new favorite animal. These two are hiding under the roof because it's raining. There are many more goat pictures to come :)

This is a view of the road that I walk every day

September 4, 2007

Well yesterday I started running and it felt great. Tara went with me and we ran down to the beach and then she swam while I ran a little further and then we ran back. We went around 7ish so the weather was perfect and I have to say that every time I see the beach it makes me happy. There’s something about it. And I only had one beach bumster (you can google “bumster” if you want to know more about that…) who tried to run with me. So I stopped and went the other way and he got the picture. Anyway- after we went to the beach I did laundry in my house, in the tub… and then it started raining really hard so I made a clothes line in my house and I still have clothes hanging everywhere because they are yet to get dry. But hey, at least I thought of that- I’m not that creative so if I get that far then I’m generally proud of myself. After laundry I met with my co-worker and found out that I’m teaching one class- Philosophy of Education- which is fantastic!!! I’m so excited. So that is on Tuesday’s and Friday’s for an hour and a half. So that means that for a secondary project I can pick up tanning and working out! Hahaha- totally kidding. But, I will probably get to check out the orphanage that I’ve heard about. There is suppose to be a big one somewhere near that is the main one for all of West Africa so we’ll see. The only slightly negative thing is that I have no materials. At all. The students don’t have textbooks and I don’t have any books, schedules, outlines, nothing. So hopefully I will be able to use my books from college. That’s what I will spend this week trying to figure out. Also- I don’t think that I’ve mentioned that we also have another PCV in our apartment complex- his name is Dave and he’s almost finished with his service. Anyway- he’s super nice and he invited us to come to ultimate Frisbee last night. So Natasha and I went – she played and I watched but it was interesting. He plays with people from the Medical Research Council (I think that’s what it’s called) so they are also from all over- some British, Lebanese, etc. so it was fun to meet some more people. I met this guy from Iowa who works at the Embassy school and he said that I should see if I could work/volunteer there because they are always looking for teachers. So I think I will look into that… it would be interesting to see how that works and who attends those schools; and could possible turn out to be a really good contact. It turns out that they were the group of people that I was watching play touch rugby the other day! They are playing again tonight and invited us to play- we’ll see about that. I love meeting all the different foreigners here- to see what they’re doing and how they ended up in The Gambia. It fascinates me.

For today- well, I already had lunch (an egg sandwich with cucumbers and tomato) and went to the store so that maybe I could fix myself dinner. I think that I may go to the beach and watch rugby but I haven’t decided… oh! I spent the morning in the nurse’s office because I have this sore on my foot that I think started out as a mosquito bite but won’t go away. I noticed it about 3 weeks ago and it started to get infected and I’ve been soaking it in salt water and putting medicine on it all day long but it won’t even scab. It just remains this open sore and it makes my whole foot swell too, which is pretty painful. So anyway, I’ve been going to the nurse and she says it’s normal (shocker) but today I decided I wouldn’t leave without an antibiotic. So I saw her and the embassy nurse (they share an office here) and they gave me something to keep it clean and I got an antibiotic so I’m very happy about that. Hopefully it will finally go away. Those of you who know me well know that I get regular pedicures in the States so having plain gross feet is hard enough without having sores on them too! Ewwww!

In other news—those big spiders that scared the daylights out of me when I moved in—I’m not really afraid of killing them anymore. And I got a mop and finally cleaned the walls and corners of all my spiders. Making progress!

Observation

Another thing that has fascinated me recently are Lebanese people… and I’m going to do more research. I think that I’ve mentioned before that Lebanese people own the majority of stores and businesses here. And I was thinking about it the other day and the only Lebanese people I know in the States either own businesses or they are doctors, etc. But generally they are very successful people. So I have a few Lebanese friends here now, that we met out- and one guy was telling me about people leaving and how many Lebanese live here and in other countries like Brazil, etc. It’s just very interesting. So I’m going to do some research and see if there is some specific reason…

Also fascinating: the amount of people you meet here with British accents… I’ve met so many Gambians, Lebanese, Indians, etc. that have thick British accents because here everyone goes to the UK to study, work or travel. It’s always a pleasant surprise. I think that British accents are my favorite so far.

Here are some pictures.. many more to come!

This was my hut in Saresamba

My "shower" and "toilet"

Naming ceremony... check out the eyebrows they drew on me :) Cute.... or not.

Above is a picture of (left to right) me, Tara, and Natasha at the naming ceremony. So now you can put a facw with a name when I talk about the girls.

Well we went dancing last night. And it is soooo much fun. It is so interesting to go to the tourist part of town and see who is here and from where. Last night there was a wedding so there were a lot of foreigners. And we met a lot of new people who seem to be really nice and can possibly be friends. We'll see. And there is always some guy who makes me laugh really hard. Last night it was this guy that told me that I had beautiful eyes and he loved me... and I said, "Are you French?" and it turns out he was! Too funny. It's great when people tell you they love your eyes but you're in a dark place.. :)

Today we were going to do laundry but we didn't have any water - yes, we live in the "city" but that doesn't mean that you have constant water or electricity. It usually goes out a couple of times a day. So when we couldn't do laundry we decided to go to the beach! I think I forgot to mention that my apartment (since I got the new location) is only about a 5-10 minute walk to the beach! Wonderful!! So we went and the girls swam and I just laid out- it was late afternoon so the sun wasn't out and there was a breeze. I watched a group of Lebanese men play soccer and then there were some British people playing touch rugby (I had to ask what they were playing because I had never seen it before)... so interesting! It was a lot of fun and very relaxing. Tomorrow I will go to work- and I'm going to start running; I feel settled finally and also found a great running route to the beach. So hopefully my co-worker will be there and I'll see what work is going to be all about.

September 1, 2007

It’s September… which is pretty crazy to believe. I wish I could say that this experience has gone fast or slow but there are so many days that seem like both. Time is passing… that’s all I know. Sometimes it happens slowly, slowy – ndanka, ndanka, and other times I wake up and it’s September.

Yesterday I went to meet with my counterpart and he wasn’t there. So I started to walk back to the main street and it started raining and guess who didn’t have their umbrella? That’s right… I mean why would I need my umbrella in the rainy season? (Stupid!) So I ran under a tree and then found a little ledge on the side of a building and was satisfied until I realized I was surrounded with spiders and mosquitoes. So when the rain started to slow down I started walking very fast to the main road only to find out when I got there that it was completely flooded. Now keep in mind we don’t have sidewalks here- or grass- so if you’re walking in the rain you’re either in mud or on the road (which is where I was; yes, there is a small chance of getting hit by a car and I was getting splashed by cars passing but better than getting stuck in mud and flipping it everywhere with my shoes!). So I walked over to the buildings and walked as close to them as I could until I got to a restaurant that I go to quite often and I climbed over a little wall thing to get into the restaurant and they let me sit in there because by this time it had started raining even harder than before. These are the days where it is completely okay to just sit and do nothing else. The rain literally makes everything stop. The mud gets out of control and cars get stuck, people can’t walk, etc. so if you don’t go to work it’s totally normal. So anyway, there were a couple other people in the restaurant waiting and when one man left he offered me a ride to the PC office because it was close. When I got to the office I had to roll my pants up and wade through to the door and wait there. It was an experience to say the least. Although we did finally get our mosquito nets yesterday morning after three trips to the store, three days in a row. The day before we went around 4:15 and it was closed and there was a little girl outside and we asked what time the store closed and she says, “it closes at 5”… so we just looked at each other and left.

In other news, I had a huge lizard in my apartment last night; well, it may still be here but if it is then it’s hiding. I’ve had small lizards in my hut before but this one was like the size of my hand and fat. And it was over by the door so I couldn’t let it out because it would’ve run the other way. So I just went to bed… the only thing I wonder is if it got in through some type of hole and if it did, what else will get in. But hopefully it will eat my ginormous spiders… and the small ones; I don’t know if I mentioned that I share my apartment with a ton of spiders—I thought about trying to kill them all but there are just way too many so hopefully the lizard will get them.

The other day we were on our way home from the PC office in a taxi and we came to a placed in the road where the cops were stopping cars. So when they got to ours they said, “Are you tourists?” And we told them we were PC which followed with a whole series of questions like, “What are your African names?” “Where do you come from ?” When we drove away we asked the taxi driver why we were stopped and he simply said, “You know, the police here… when they are low on money, they do this.” It’s a good thing we all had our ID’s and were friendly. Not that if we didn’t we would be in jail, but we might be short on money if you get my drift.

*Observation*

Today is Saturday and it’s my dads first football game of the season. It is really a whole different world going on in the United States. It’s like its own little bubble. A place where the majority of places have grass, paved (and lined) roads, sidewalks… where even the people that others would call unorganized are extremely organized compared to this culture. I made an observation a couple days ago and that is how extremely important presentation is to people of the U.S. Everything we do is suppose to look nice and organized. And I think that at times we associate dirty or unorganized places with danger. For example, a lot of ghettos (and I’m referring to any “poor” area) that you go into are labeled as ghettos because people don’t take care of their yards, there may be graffiti on the walls, the stores may not be freshly painted or some people will have tools or broken debris in their yards. We go into these areas (or in most cases drive by) and we get scared or nervous because everything isn’t organized and pretty. But here, that’s just the way it is. There are some paved roads in the capital area but you won’t find sidewalks… or grass. Most of the stores are dirty; furniture stores have random tables and chairs stacked in places and they’re very dusty and maybe not covered in plastic. The workers are outside taking their break for everyone to see instead of hiding in the back or a break room (there is no such thing here)… and a lot of the stores aren’t painted and don’t have names so you have to go inside to see what they sell. Here, it has nothing to do with whether or not a place is safe; it’s all about importance. They have bigger things to worry about. I think that they probably figure that if someone needs a couch or TV, well then they’re going to get it whether or not the store looks nice. And the funny thing is that if you see a store or restaurant that is decorated and organized then the chance of it being owned by someone in Europe or northern Africa is great… or at least a Gambian that has studied in the States or Europe. Even in my apartment complex which is very nice for the Gambia, there is a huge hole which I’m guessing my landlord (who lived in Europe for years) was going to make a swimming pool out of, but didn’t… so now there is just a huge hole there- and it doesn’t look nice but it doesn’t really matter. We also have sheep that run around everywhere. Why? Who knows?! I don’t know who they belong to or why there are sheep in the city but these are the types of questions that you stop asking and just learn to accept. And eventually they become normal. These things are what make Africa, Africa.

y

Well today was exhausting! After I wrote on here, Tara and I went shopping for stuff for the apartment and let me tell you that without a car it's not so easy. I only got stuff that is essential right now because I don't have enough money- but I did get some sheets, a fan, a mop, salt, sugar, cereal, milk, a voltage regulator (required if you don't want your stuff to "fry"), and some other little things. Oh, and a pillow! That's really exciting. Can you imagine carrying all of that stuff while walking around to different stores?! And it was pretty rainy so by the time I got home I had mud all over the back of my pants from my flip flops... but hey, I live in Africa so that's sort of what I get. Just to give you a better idea- there are not stores here like Walmart where you can find all of this in one place. There are grocery stores where there is food. And then there will be a household store, an electric store, a furniture store, etc. And you have to go to each separate one for whatever you need. So we were walking today for about 6 hours without any exaggeration. And then when we got home we decided that we should go out to dinner to celebrate our shopping...haha.. so here we are again. But we're taking a taxi this time as 3 girls (a.k.a. "toubabs") walking around at night is probably not the safest thing ever.

So- my apartment... I like it a lot. And I really love being next to Natasha and Tara. It is one bedroom with a bathroom and kitchen and living room. It came with a couch and 2 chairs (black leather) and I have a small refridgerator and a stove top too. It's also much more spacious than the last one so I will take all of this in place of the TV/DVD. We slept there last night for the first time and we don't have mosquito nets up yet which kind of freaked me out. We went to Tara's and there were 2 spiders (the biggest spiders I've ever seen in my life) in her kitchen. So we stared at them for a little bit and decided we couldn't kill them... so we went to another apartment and knocked on some guys door and made him come and kill them. I think he was pretty annoyed but he'll get over it. So I slept with a sheet really tight around me and I was sweating like it was my job but hey, at least no bugs could get to me. Although I was worried about my face. There are spiders here that pee on you and if you don't get it off right away it turns your skin into a big scab. No lie. It's happened to a couple people I know. It looks like you scraped your knee or neck (in one case) on something but no, it's from the pee of a spider... yeah, ewww. So- tonight we are going to put up nets.

In other news I've been pretty homesick all week. I heard at the beginning of training that most people make it through training but then some quit after it's over and at the time I didn't understand. But being here, at this point, it makes sense. During training you are always doing something and there is always something to look forward to or a new place to move, etc. It's filled with a time of excitement and wondering where you'll be and what you'll be doing and then all of the sudden it's here. It's the first really permanent thing. From now on it's work. It's the first time since I've been in Africa that the realization that I'm not going to see my family or friends for 2 more years has hit me. Plus, the rainy season doesn't help. And while I was moving in yesterday I was feeling a little overwhelmed and then someone calls and says I have a workshop this morning at 8. Um, no. Actually I said yes at first but then the more I thought about everyone saying that we're suppose to settle in and get everything straight, etc. before we go to work the more I agreed. So I decided to take the day to settle. And I still have a lot to do but I feel much better.

So- I'm going to go into work on Monday I think. I'll stop by this Friday to see what I'm doing and to check in but I'm going to spend the week getting my house all fixed and settled. Our landlord is really nice so we are very lucky and he gets things done pretty fast. Already he's fixed my toilet, changed my lightbulbs, put a mat in front of my door, and moved some access furniture I didn't want. That's like unbelievable for this country!

I think as far as pictures are concerned I'm going to have to breakdown and go to an internet cafe and see if I can pay for a faster connection. But I'm on it slowly, slowly (ndanka, ndanka)...

Thank you Bambi for your message! I'm so glad that you are enjoying reading- I always wonder. And thanks for the compliment, it's extremely humbling.

Okay- I'm also going to include some questions that I was asked. If you all have questions then let me know and I'll do my best to answer them!

Attitude towards Americans:

The Gambia is a pretty friendly place in general... there isn't anyone who is mean to you, for example, but there is definitely a stigma attached to it. And I have to note that the capital area is a little more knowledgeable than the villages but there is only one capital, you know? And a lot of these people move from the villages so they have the same thoughts. Some generalizations about Americans are that we all have education; to the extent that they think that most Americans have their masters degree or further. But then they think that we can't do any hard labor or even simple things like cook, sweep, laundry, etc. They tend to think that everyone is white in America. And a lot of people think that Europe and America are the same thing or at least in the same place. They think the U.S. is in Europe... I got out a world map for my village so they could see where I live and that it's not anywhere close to Europe. They think I am really odd because I left my family and because I'm not married. They don't begin to understand why someone isn't married if they're over 20. Although this is women in general; men can be older. Overall there isn't any real prejudice towards Americans, black or white. But they don't understand the diversity of it. Oh, and if you are a man and not married they would think that's weird too. There are just stigmas attached to us as foreigners.

Attitude toward education:

The Gambia is really working on gender equality right now. It was just in recent years that they made it a law that girls could go to school free of charge (of course they still have to pay school fees soooo?). Any school that you go to you will see more boys than girls and the boys will usually do better and speak better English. All Gambians will say that education is important but when you get down to it and they need someone in the field they will have their kids stay home. Or because they have so many kids from so many wives they will choose which one can go to school and maybe the strongest boy will stay home to work on the field. Some girls get to go to school but their parents will marry them off before they can finish senior secondary school. Most of the time; not always. Many Gambians say that they will see which one of their children, boy or girl, is most gifted and they will invest in that child. When you get past 8th grade schools are hard to get to because they are either too expensive or really far away. Even in my village if you're past 6th grade they end up walking an hour or so to school. Also- corporal punishment is still legal and practiced throughout the Gambia- PC is trying to change that.

Division of Labor:

I hope I understand this topic.. I will do my best. In the villages women do much more than men. The boys and young men go to the fields (CHILD LABOR) and the old men will stay home and do whatever they want. You will see a lot of old men who lay in the shade all day and drink attaya. Literally all day. Or they will play with their babies and their sons and wives and daughters do all the work. Women do laundry, fetch all the water, pound coos all day, take and pick up the animals from the field (to eat), sweep, and discipline the children. The children help with whatever they can. The boys go to the field and cut down branches from trees for the animals to eat. They climb up these super tall trees with a machete and chop down branches. Not really the safest thing I've ever seen.

AIDS:

There is Aids education but The Gambia is only a little lower than 2% of the population is infected... I think. It's a very low percentage. But there are signs around telling people to wear a condom, etc. One of the biggest practices that some people started to talk about but now it isn't discussed is where they circumcise young girls. PC is not allowed to address that topic. (political reasoning)

Islam:

Is huge. There are no Christian churches except in the capital area. Everyone is Muslim but I'm finding out more and more that of course there are "good" Muslims and "bad" Muslims. In village you will hear the call to prayer 5 times a day. I've met a lot of people who have gone to Mecca also. But the thing that I struggle with is that they all say prayers and some of them have the Koran but nobody can really read it because it's in Arabic. Some people send their children to special schools that teach the Koran only. I wrote some stuff about that in the letter I sent you. I don't know how it's practiced in the States really but I can tell you after reading the Malcolm X book that it's totally different than that. It's really a very peaceful religion. And at least here there are no prejudices against Christians. They will ask you what you believe in and if you say Christian they just say okay. It's really funny because I have the tattoo on my arm in Arabic and I had no idea before I came here that it would be such a big deal but everyone always wants to look at it and then they ask if I'm Muslim because the only thing they know about Arabic is that the Koran is written in it... some of them get really confused that I'm a Christian but I have Arabic on my arm.