Homestay

Firstly, I got a cell phone and this is my number 011 222 774 7039 (or
possibly a 1 at the end) If it doesn't go through don't be surprised-
cell phones are horrid here. Just thought I would post it if anyone
wants to try. Also, remember I'm four hours ahead.

Some more old journal entries:

5 Juilliet 2006

HOMESTAY

Homestay sites were announced tonite, and I'll be living in a village
called M'Bedia (about 500 people) I'll learn Hassaniya with my
sitemates Crystal and Sarah, and though many things could change, it
makes it more likely that my permanent site will be in the north I'm
not sure how I feel about this. I don't know enough to know how I
should feel, except to say that I'm a little disappointed I won't be
learning Soninke, but that's only because of the gigantically tall
Soninke teacher, Biri, who I think is neato, and because of the
dancers. So boo hoo.

Anyway, before the announcement, we had our short sessions with our
APCD Aw (pronounced like the thing you do when you stub your toe)
whom I love due to his absolute cuteness, and good little nature. And
after the session we met with our language facilitator Haddou, who
doesn't speak English, and our evaluator Bolol, to exchange names and
get faces, so we would know who we were when we all ride together to
our village tomorrow. In his capacity as translator tonite, Bolol
translated a short speech from Haddou (French to English) in little bits, as
we all leaned in to hear this soft voiced black African in his red
glasses tell us about the people of M'Beidia- how the people are 'very
serious, but generous' how this will be very hard work, but he will do
his best for us, and how he knows Americans are a hardworking people
who never give up. I hope that last part is true.

Then we had a little skit about what to expect tomorrow (lots of skits
here : all the Africans are total hams ) and then a short speech from
our fast talking, tiny little gray haired homestay coordinator Faal,
who apologized for his absolutely just fine English. That's sort of a
thing here: most of the staff speaks English fairly well, but
sometimes they get tired of it, and launch into French, at which point
someone else translates, whether PCV or staff. It's really quite
wonderful. I love just hearing them speak, like the other day at the
market where all I could do was stare at two young men telling me
something unintelligible about soccer, thinking 'please don't stop
talking, please don't stop talking' It just makes me so happy. Also,
African French (when not crappy, which is often) is pretty much clear
as a bell, being mostly free from all the back-of-the-throat goings
ons which tend to stop up French-French.

Also, Macire, our adorable Moor security Coordinator, gave us a
presentation today about security methods, in his fatherly-over
protective way. He's marvelous and chestnut skinned with great
eyebrows, and when he gets tired of speaking his curiously and
inconsistently accented English, or when he gets the English word for
'things' par example, his purple clad assistant takes over. He also
assists him in demonstrations about how to poke an assailant in the
eyes, or kick him in the balls. It's wild.

Then there's Cynthia, our blond and sassy PCMO with here sage and
beautiful Indian-ish sidekick Amel, to give us shots, medkits and
powerpoint presentations on diseases ( worms, bacteria, pooping,
everything) Cynthia is very no nonsense and extremely direct, and her
response to complaints about our finger-pricking lancet demonstration
was (Allegedly....) "Tough shit, you're in Africa" I can't believe
this is all true. Bye now.