"I do the best I can."

Steven learned that phrase in class recently and emailed it to me, referring to the slow process of learning French. Since then, his list of languages to learn has reached three! The village he'll be going to is diverse, comprised of several different religions and languages etc- which is a bit daunting, but mostly exciting. He remains optimistic about his role there and expects he'll be using his new French phrase often. "I do the best I can, that's all that I can do."

Right now he is en route to the village with his counterpart (an older man who will be working alongside him there.) In one email he wrote "He is awesome; I love him!" I don't know this man's name- if I did, I'd probably have to reduce it to a single letter anyway, so we'll call him C (for counterpart... clever.) C speaks French well, which is such a relief, since French is now the base language that Steven has to work off of to learn the others. This trip will introduce him to the PCV that he'll be following, the work that she has done, and the people/life of his new home.

*He's using public transport for this trip for the first time. That in and of itself is an adventure cocktail, I'm sure.

Since the last entry was so vague about his new home- I'll share some random info. There is a reserve there that is home to all kinds of wildlife- about 200 elephants, 200 hippos, and 100 lion etc. I imagine that it is AWESOME. If I remember right, I think Steven even mentioned that there are bike ride tours through it. I could be making that up... but really, if they don't offer that there yet, they should. I can think of little else that would be more fun then biking past free-to-roam lions.

His health has only been so-so, but I think he's been given some antibiotics since I talked with him last, so he should be doing much better. Less trips to the bush with toilet paper in hand...

The state of the school system there has Steven encouraged that, even if the impact they have there is limited, ANY improvements will have been well worth work/time . He has so much to say about the kids there, "the best students; so hardworking; they really want to learn." He also mentioned a Moringa tree, which sounds like some miracle tree: easily sustained, edible leaves that provide all kinds of nutrients etc etc. I think they're supposed to be planting those, or something. (I should take better notes)

Hmm. That's probably sufficient for now. He wanted to be able to update everyone himself, but mid entry the internet went down. I can at least tell you, with confidence, that he is happy, hot, excited to get to work and, on his way to becoming quite the linguist. Oh, and he's received some packages and several letters- he stresses how wonderful it is to hear from home.

Alright- happy weekend everyone!

-McKenna

"Steven received his site assignment. He'll be stationed in _________ which is in the _______ region near _________ , the capital of __________. "

Say whaaaaat!?!

Yes, it's true, Steven does know where he'll be spending the next two years. However, that information cannot be posted on a blog. Then what is the point of this entry? The point, everyone, is to tell you that there IS a location in Africa for our guy and lots of specific information that we'd love to share with you via email etc. My email address is mckenna.hall@gmail.com; feel free to send me an email if you're interested and I'll forward you the goods. I'll also try to pass it along through Facebook.

In other things, he's doing very well. Feeling much better from his recent INSANE bout of sickness (gory details to be included with site info, if you are strong of stomach.)

After browsing through several blogs and talking with Steven, it sounds like the fourth celebration was a good time. A lot of work went into creating a meal as "American Barbeque" as possible for the Trainers. Of course, there was an African flavor to it with what I believe was sheep-on-a-stick and some background music (drums and the like.)

Tomorrow Steven finds out where his site is. I think that pretty soon after that he'll be able to visit to get a feel for his village. So bust out those maps and little flags- this time tomorrow we should have a new place to mark!

Hope everyone is well. There are some new blog links on the side. If you have time to kill, it's fun to go through and look at the other PCT albums. Every once in awhile you'll find Steven in a photo or two.

A group of the PCTs- Fourth of July

Happy Independence Day, everyone! I spoke with Steven the other day and heard that they were planning some special festivities for all of the PCTs. I doubt that they'll have fireworks but I did hear that the barbeque side of things is underway. And the menu: Sheep! (gift from the village Chief.)

He had his interview yesterday with Z, a "truly amazing lady," who covered the site details. He requested a smaller village, much like the one he's in now, and said that he didn't mind biking long distances. He'd like to be near a health center and church, but other than that he didn't mention anything else. My guess is that he'll probably get most of what he asked for- I don't expect that many of the others mentioned such an aptitude for biking. But you know Steven... Those long stretches of "road" coupled with some good music and he's quite in his element. (fyi, I think those bicycle trips are about 45 minutes to an hour... ish)

He should be assigned his site early next week. (suspenseful music line here)

That probably wraps it up for this update. I'm adding some more pictures of family members, so be sure to browse through.

Until later-

McKenna

Just checking in to make sure this is working. Just fyi, if you want to be an author on the blog send McKenna or me an email. All you need is a google account, that way we can keep the posts associated with an author.

On Steven news

I spoke with Steven on gChat the other day. He sounds like he is doing well and was excited to hear about Paul and the Celtics.

Nothing else to report.

I don't have much more to add than what McKenna carefully detailed. Loved seeing the water filter in the pics though-- the huge double white bucket system with the spigot.... when I think water filter I think about the small backpacking type but this is a filter on a whole new level.

In our phone conversation last Sunday he mentioned one of the PCTs who was living in the city with all the comforts and electricity that entails (fans, Lost, etc), had come to "spend the night" with Steven to see what the village life was like.

The weather is changing from the hot season to the rainy season. He is hoping to attend Catholic Mass next weekend. On Saturdays the Mass is conducted in Moore but there is an early Sunday am service in French.

Just checking in to let everyone know that Steven updated his blog and sent some more pictures.

You'll find the link over to the side if you don't already have it.

Steven makes it to an internet cafe once a week where he gets about an hour for email etc. Besides an inbox overflowing with notes from home the connection is extremely slow. Therefore, the blog that he intended to keep up for all of us has been a bit neglected. But he still wants to keep everyone updated on his experience.

When we last heard from Steven his water intake was only exceeded by his sweat output. With temperatures in the 100's, it's no wonder. But from what we've heard recently, it's cooled down considerably with the rainy season. (collective sigh of relief) He's still on a "two bucket bath" regimen, but rain and clouds make the bike rides and classroom much more tolerable.

Tomorrow he'll meet with the resident PC for an interview concerning his future site. They'll discuss such things as city-size, electricity, possible cell service etc. This sets the stage for the remainder of his time there, after he's stationed in August, so we're all keeping our fingers crossed. ( a cell phone would be "so choice")

He remains enchanted with the people there, children and trainer alike. There are not enough good things to be said about the " most amazing" J.P. (trainer) or his host family, who continue to bestow kindness on him at every turn. In his most recent phone call he talked about a day he spent working in the field with them. I don't know what they did... That was probably lost in a delay.

As far as the wildlife goes, there are crazy lizards everywhere, an occasional giant spider and, if he's really lucky, an audacious scorpion or two. (I hear they run AT you instead of FROM you... nice.)

The cuisine isn't nearly as bland as he expected. His food of choice is mango, which I hear is DELICIOUS; the best mango I've never had and "so cheap."

His French is steadily improving, but that's as expected when the world is your classroom (cheesey?) He's also been to one of the larger, more celebrated markets among volunteers, which he said he knew was full of cheap odds-and-ends, but was nevertheless super exciting for the simple PCT (Peace Corp Trainer).

Alright, that's probably good for now. The most important update that I have to offer is that he is completely at peace and "right where he should be." Any discomfort or homesickness is outweighed by the beauty of the people (see pictures).

Until later.