So we rang in the new year last night because we are all getting the boot back to sites tomorrow. So- instead of missing out on celebrating together, we just pushed New Years up a few days. No big deal!
Things are seemingly back to normal around Conakry, the curfew has been lifted and all things seem to be going smoothly. Perhaps the smoothest coup d'etat in history? I don't really have the background for making that kind of statement, nor do I want to jinx us, so we'll just say things have gone smoothly.
There have been rumors of something like 40 days of mourning after the President's death... which would mean 40 days sans school... which would mean utter boredom. So, we're hoping that's pas vrai and that when we get back to site, we'll get to work as usual. But, we'll see I guess. I wouldn't be surprised if they took 40 days off school, but I'm just hoping it was a multiple person rumor. We'll see.
Bummer we didn't get to see all of the people from G16 due to the coup. But at least we have our IST (in-service training) coming up which will be the first time all of G16 is reunited since moving to sites. So everyone's really excited for that.
I guess that's about all the news for now. Don't know if I'll get to post again any time in the next month or so, but still send me updates and try calling!
Love and miss you all
Happy New Year!
love
rach
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Merry Christmas!
Merry Merry Merrrry Christmas everyone!
Having a pretty good Christmas here, can't really complain, though I truly wish I could tell you all Merry Christmas in person. Hope it's the merriest and that you all eat tons of cookies and play in snow and eat till you can't move.
Things are pretty calm here- politically speaking. They named a new President and so far the reactions from people seem optimistic andhappy. So that's good news for everyone.
A couple other PCVs and I got up to make breakfast for everyone today. We started at 6:30 and we all ate around 11:00. Ha! We made a lot and things take more time here- you know- with one small stove and approximately 20 people. But we made enough to feed the army, so everyone was well stuffed- as it should be. We're heading to our Country Director's house tonight for a potluck so it should be good times.
Wish you all the verry verry best Christmas and holidays. Wish I was there.
Love and miss you all terribly.
"I'll be hoooome for Christmas, if only in my dreams"
also applicable (hopefully): "in a year we all will be together, if the fates allow"
love love love you all. Merry Christmas!
Having a pretty good Christmas here, can't really complain, though I truly wish I could tell you all Merry Christmas in person. Hope it's the merriest and that you all eat tons of cookies and play in snow and eat till you can't move.
Things are pretty calm here- politically speaking. They named a new President and so far the reactions from people seem optimistic andhappy. So that's good news for everyone.
A couple other PCVs and I got up to make breakfast for everyone today. We started at 6:30 and we all ate around 11:00. Ha! We made a lot and things take more time here- you know- with one small stove and approximately 20 people. But we made enough to feed the army, so everyone was well stuffed- as it should be. We're heading to our Country Director's house tonight for a potluck so it should be good times.
Wish you all the verry verry best Christmas and holidays. Wish I was there.
Love and miss you all terribly.
"I'll be hoooome for Christmas, if only in my dreams"
also applicable (hopefully): "in a year we all will be together, if the fates allow"
love love love you all. Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Thierno, Thierno Oumar, and El-Hadj Abdoul. Three of my favorites that always come hang out with me on the porch. Probably one of the cutest pictures ever.
Erich and I and the Dame de Mali (a lady figure in the side of the mountain behind us... very cool).
Dedicated to Stephanie Anderson: view from the top of the Dame de Mali (where I finally got to talk to you on the phone and the day where I thought about nothing except that "mann Stef would love this")
Erich and the group and the solar dryer we built.
Back in September or October or something? Teaching a group in my town how to build a solar dryer.
Leppi as a kitten. She's a bit bigger now, but still totally cute with her awesome tiger-striped legs! haha. P.S. Alice- she eats all the time because I think she's trying to bulk up to be on par with the size of her future husband, Pearl. <3It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
...wellp not really. It doesn't quite LOOK like Christmas. Except for in the room of the PC house that we stayed up till 3am last night decorating with ribbons, snowmen, and snowflakes. It looks like Christmas in there!
So a bunch of us are together for the holidays- originally planning on going to Sierra Leone for the week after Christmas and for New Years, but alas- the president, Lansana Conte, died. And they announced that this morning, so we're all confined to the PC compound until further notice. It's all pretty calm apparently right now, but the military has taken over and the consitution has been suspended(so says the BBC), so we're all just kind of sitting around waiting to see what will happen next. Kind of stinks because some people hadn't left their sites yet, so might not get to make it here for Christmas. Bummer. And the new group of trainees aren't allowed to come in either, so we had a bunch of things planned for them, that now we can't really do. Bummer, and probably going to be a much harder Christmas for them since they just got to country at the beginning of this month and now they're spending Christmas at the training site with their host families and I guess the other PC workers that are there. Kinda stinks for them.
Anywho- Since the last couple times I blogged, I decided I'd start writing things down to remember to blog them when I get internet. As to not let you avid readers down. Ha. So here are some things I've been up to since Thanksgiving!
I'm still working on learning Pular- I have a couple students that come over once a week and we do a little English-Pular exchange, but then there's moments like the one when I found out there are 19 different words for "cow" in Pular. So... I guess it'll take some time before I feel a little mor confident in the language. ha!
I saw my first snake in country- very little. But it was pretty hilarious. My boss for PC came to visit and we were chatting on my porch when we saw the little guy out in front of my house. He was in the middle of trying to eat a frog when the PC driver chucked a large rock at it and killed it. Great moment haha
A typical day in the life of Fatoumata Binta Diallo at site:
-school day: wake up around 6/6:30, eat oatmeal and bananas, bike to school (always the first to arrive... Guinea time is NOT like America time, once people show up, they raise the flag and sing the anthem ("sing" is more like it, because I've actually never heard a line of it. There are about 500 students at school, but they prefer whispering the anthem so I don't really know what it sounds like), teach 8 (8:30 is more like it)-10, then a little break to shmooz with the other teachers before teaching 10:15 (10:30 is more like it)- 12:15. then bike home.
-for lunch I sometimes cook, or eat at a rice bar, at a friend or neighbor's house, or at the missionaries house.
-generally spend a large part of the afternoon sitting around- reading, grading, coloring with crayons, or sitting and listening to tapes with my petit, El-Hadj Abdoul.
- my free time includes a lot of sitting (I'm a professional now), listening to tapes with the little kids that like to hang out around my house, going up the hill to make phone calls, pumping water, visiting missionaries, visiting friends, and watching Leppi, etc.
Just thought I'd try to paint a picture of a day in the life.
Learned how to make attaya one day with my friend Ismael. Attaya is a chinese tea thing that they make that's really tasty and verrry caffeinated.
Two weeks ago was the Fete of Tabaski (Muslim holiday where they celebrated Abraham sacrificing the ram instead of his son). Dates in this country are never really official. So the whole week before, people said the holiday was Tuesday, then Sunday night, someone made some announcement saying that it was Monday. So on Monday, I went to the prayer with everyone (dressed in my new African outfit), neat to observe...though it was kind of odd because there were photographers walking around? and2 of the 3 randomly came up and wanted to take my picture with the older ladies I was sitting with. Kind of awkward? But apparently, not so abnormal? Anywys, then we ate a lot, then zig-zagged through town greeting everyone and their mom with my friend Diaraye (she's a teacher at the primary school and she's awesome. Helps me out a lot). So ate, greeted everyone in town, then ate more, then went home. Tuesday- was also the holiday. Obviously. But, I went to school for funsies to see if anyone would show up- not a soul in sight. My proviseur showed up and we chatted for a bit and he rang the bell as if that would make the students come to school. Then we left. His son came with him on the moto, and his son wasn't even dressed in uniform. So I guess he just came to go through the motions as a little joke. Oh well.
Anyways, day 2 of the holiday, went with Diaraye again and greeted everyone and their mom in the next town over that was about a 1k walk away. Ate about 78 times, greeted about 600 people, and took a nap in some random person's house? Also, apparently not weird... for them at least. Haha.
So the holiday = a week of nothing for me. Went to school on Wednesday- but they also take the "day after the holiday" off... which was Tuesday, Wednesday, maybe Thursday... who knows? So showed up Wednesday, 4 other teachers and approximately 25 students (out of 475 ish) showed up between 8 and 10:30. Sat around and hung out with the teachers for a while before we all went home again. Oh, and because they had a week of kind-of-school, the next Monday, they scheduled their PTA meeting at 10, so the kids would get out early then too. Good thing they don't need to be in class or anything. Anywhooo C'est la Guinee.
Went to a cookout out the missionaries house- had hot dogs, shmores, and planned on watching the meteor shower in the wee hours of the morning, but the moon was full and super bright all night. So, no meteor shower, but good times nonetheless. Conor and Lisa came in for it too, so we had a great time and played Holiday charades and ate well. Also, got to watch It's a Wonderful Life the next morning. Which was heart warming and also kind of sad? Miss you guys.
Recently, found out about some weddings in my town. Asked my friends about it and if they were students that got married. Answer was yes. A girl in my 9th grade class is now the 3rd wife of someone and no longer going to be in school. Another girl in SIXTH grade got married, but it's ok, she failed twice, so she SHOULD be in 8th grade... that's totally old enough. Ugh. Sad state for these young girls. Wish they'd stay in school.
Anywho. That's about all I have for now. We decorated the crap out of our PC house here for Christmas, but as much as I'm glad I have my PC family here to celebrate with, still wish I could be with you all. Also wish I didn't have to wear flip flops and no sleeves, but oh well. We made fake snow and sit in the air conditioning while were here to try to feel like winter :)
Love you and miss you all- even more during the holiday season. Really grateful that I have all of you in my life though and know that I'm thinking of you constantly! Call me anytime, because I, in theory, have cell phone reception for the next 2 weeks ish.
Again, love and miss you. Holidays just aren't the same without you, but hope they're the merriest for you all over there!
love
rach
So a bunch of us are together for the holidays- originally planning on going to Sierra Leone for the week after Christmas and for New Years, but alas- the president, Lansana Conte, died. And they announced that this morning, so we're all confined to the PC compound until further notice. It's all pretty calm apparently right now, but the military has taken over and the consitution has been suspended(so says the BBC), so we're all just kind of sitting around waiting to see what will happen next. Kind of stinks because some people hadn't left their sites yet, so might not get to make it here for Christmas. Bummer. And the new group of trainees aren't allowed to come in either, so we had a bunch of things planned for them, that now we can't really do. Bummer, and probably going to be a much harder Christmas for them since they just got to country at the beginning of this month and now they're spending Christmas at the training site with their host families and I guess the other PC workers that are there. Kinda stinks for them.
Anywho- Since the last couple times I blogged, I decided I'd start writing things down to remember to blog them when I get internet. As to not let you avid readers down. Ha. So here are some things I've been up to since Thanksgiving!
I'm still working on learning Pular- I have a couple students that come over once a week and we do a little English-Pular exchange, but then there's moments like the one when I found out there are 19 different words for "cow" in Pular. So... I guess it'll take some time before I feel a little mor confident in the language. ha!
I saw my first snake in country- very little. But it was pretty hilarious. My boss for PC came to visit and we were chatting on my porch when we saw the little guy out in front of my house. He was in the middle of trying to eat a frog when the PC driver chucked a large rock at it and killed it. Great moment haha
A typical day in the life of Fatoumata Binta Diallo at site:
-school day: wake up around 6/6:30, eat oatmeal and bananas, bike to school (always the first to arrive... Guinea time is NOT like America time, once people show up, they raise the flag and sing the anthem ("sing" is more like it, because I've actually never heard a line of it. There are about 500 students at school, but they prefer whispering the anthem so I don't really know what it sounds like), teach 8 (8:30 is more like it)-10, then a little break to shmooz with the other teachers before teaching 10:15 (10:30 is more like it)- 12:15. then bike home.
-for lunch I sometimes cook, or eat at a rice bar, at a friend or neighbor's house, or at the missionaries house.
-generally spend a large part of the afternoon sitting around- reading, grading, coloring with crayons, or sitting and listening to tapes with my petit, El-Hadj Abdoul.
- my free time includes a lot of sitting (I'm a professional now), listening to tapes with the little kids that like to hang out around my house, going up the hill to make phone calls, pumping water, visiting missionaries, visiting friends, and watching Leppi, etc.
Just thought I'd try to paint a picture of a day in the life.
Learned how to make attaya one day with my friend Ismael. Attaya is a chinese tea thing that they make that's really tasty and verrry caffeinated.
Two weeks ago was the Fete of Tabaski (Muslim holiday where they celebrated Abraham sacrificing the ram instead of his son). Dates in this country are never really official. So the whole week before, people said the holiday was Tuesday, then Sunday night, someone made some announcement saying that it was Monday. So on Monday, I went to the prayer with everyone (dressed in my new African outfit), neat to observe...though it was kind of odd because there were photographers walking around? and2 of the 3 randomly came up and wanted to take my picture with the older ladies I was sitting with. Kind of awkward? But apparently, not so abnormal? Anywys, then we ate a lot, then zig-zagged through town greeting everyone and their mom with my friend Diaraye (she's a teacher at the primary school and she's awesome. Helps me out a lot). So ate, greeted everyone in town, then ate more, then went home. Tuesday- was also the holiday. Obviously. But, I went to school for funsies to see if anyone would show up- not a soul in sight. My proviseur showed up and we chatted for a bit and he rang the bell as if that would make the students come to school. Then we left. His son came with him on the moto, and his son wasn't even dressed in uniform. So I guess he just came to go through the motions as a little joke. Oh well.
Anyways, day 2 of the holiday, went with Diaraye again and greeted everyone and their mom in the next town over that was about a 1k walk away. Ate about 78 times, greeted about 600 people, and took a nap in some random person's house? Also, apparently not weird... for them at least. Haha.
So the holiday = a week of nothing for me. Went to school on Wednesday- but they also take the "day after the holiday" off... which was Tuesday, Wednesday, maybe Thursday... who knows? So showed up Wednesday, 4 other teachers and approximately 25 students (out of 475 ish) showed up between 8 and 10:30. Sat around and hung out with the teachers for a while before we all went home again. Oh, and because they had a week of kind-of-school, the next Monday, they scheduled their PTA meeting at 10, so the kids would get out early then too. Good thing they don't need to be in class or anything. Anywhooo C'est la Guinee.
Went to a cookout out the missionaries house- had hot dogs, shmores, and planned on watching the meteor shower in the wee hours of the morning, but the moon was full and super bright all night. So, no meteor shower, but good times nonetheless. Conor and Lisa came in for it too, so we had a great time and played Holiday charades and ate well. Also, got to watch It's a Wonderful Life the next morning. Which was heart warming and also kind of sad? Miss you guys.
Recently, found out about some weddings in my town. Asked my friends about it and if they were students that got married. Answer was yes. A girl in my 9th grade class is now the 3rd wife of someone and no longer going to be in school. Another girl in SIXTH grade got married, but it's ok, she failed twice, so she SHOULD be in 8th grade... that's totally old enough. Ugh. Sad state for these young girls. Wish they'd stay in school.
Anywho. That's about all I have for now. We decorated the crap out of our PC house here for Christmas, but as much as I'm glad I have my PC family here to celebrate with, still wish I could be with you all. Also wish I didn't have to wear flip flops and no sleeves, but oh well. We made fake snow and sit in the air conditioning while were here to try to feel like winter :)
Love you and miss you all- even more during the holiday season. Really grateful that I have all of you in my life though and know that I'm thinking of you constantly! Call me anytime, because I, in theory, have cell phone reception for the next 2 weeks ish.
Again, love and miss you. Holidays just aren't the same without you, but hope they're the merriest for you all over there!
love
rach
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Happy Turkey day!
Hey ohhh
I'm trying to think of exciting things to tell you, but life has been pretty normal for my life in Africa. So site is good. Schools going well. This week more than half of the teachers were out of town, leaving the students with a, shall we say, relaxed schedule. I got a ride into Labe with our Doc who came to make some site visits. We're going to try to recreate an american holiday in africa. I'll let you know how it goes.
For now, I'm trying to load pics, but the internet, and computer, are kind of frustrating and terribly slow. Hopefully I'll get to load at least a couple. A Guinean fete, Tabaski, is coming up. So I'm getting a new outfit made- should be sweet. Guineans get new outfits for every holiday, so it's only natural that I do the same.
A random fact: Guineans turn off their cars/motos when they're going down hill. Random. But, true.
Welp, don't have much exciting news, so keep me posted on your lives and have a happy turkey day! eat some baconf or me!
loove you
I'm trying to think of exciting things to tell you, but life has been pretty normal for my life in Africa. So site is good. Schools going well. This week more than half of the teachers were out of town, leaving the students with a, shall we say, relaxed schedule. I got a ride into Labe with our Doc who came to make some site visits. We're going to try to recreate an american holiday in africa. I'll let you know how it goes.
For now, I'm trying to load pics, but the internet, and computer, are kind of frustrating and terribly slow. Hopefully I'll get to load at least a couple. A Guinean fete, Tabaski, is coming up. So I'm getting a new outfit made- should be sweet. Guineans get new outfits for every holiday, so it's only natural that I do the same.
A random fact: Guineans turn off their cars/motos when they're going down hill. Random. But, true.
Welp, don't have much exciting news, so keep me posted on your lives and have a happy turkey day! eat some baconf or me!
loove you
Friday, October 31, 2008
Oh!
And now I have a kitten!!
She's adorable and has biked more in this country than I have. Erich brought her down from his site as a gift for my bday. She's cute but meows sooooo much but hopefully with age that'll settle down. Her name's Leppi (which is atype of fabric they sell mainly up near Erich's site). She's cute and eats bugs and gives me someone to talk to in my house instead of just me! haha
love you all
She's adorable and has biked more in this country than I have. Erich brought her down from his site as a gift for my bday. She's cute but meows sooooo much but hopefully with age that'll settle down. Her name's Leppi (which is atype of fabric they sell mainly up near Erich's site). She's cute and eats bugs and gives me someone to talk to in my house instead of just me! haha
love you all
First month at site...Success!
And by success, I mean filled with highs and lows. Obviously.
Been at my site for a month now and approaching my 4 monthiversary of being in Guinea. Site is good. I like my town a lot and have made a few crucial friends. There are a couple of missionary families in my town, so they have been INFINITELY helpful and just reassuring to have around. One is a Doctor (Dr. Pepper- no joke) and both families have just been so great and they definitely spoil me when I stop by.
Some of my friends came to visit for my birthday weekend, so that was really good. We killed a chicken and fried it in old bay and made old bay fries (is there any other way?) the chicken was, well, lots of skin and little meat. But that's because chickens in Guinea walk around and eat whatever they find. We should've bought it a couple weeks earlier and had it sit and eat fattening things so we could've gotten a little more meat off it. But at least it was fried with old bay, right??
Thank you so much to all the birthday letters and packages that also made my birthday lovely! I can't say I didn't have a minor meltdown the day before my birthday reading about all of your shenanigans in America, but this life comes with the highs and lows, am I right? But, yes. Thank you all sooo much.
So school started. It isn't the anomaly we all thought. Though, I still wake up every morning finding it hard to motivate myself to be on time when I know no matter what time I get there, I'll still beat most students and most teachers there. But, nevertheless, classes have started and are going pretty well. The biggest frustrations I think come from the education system (lack thereof?) because there are still teachers that don't show up- so where is the motivation for students? Anyways. I show up and I teach and that's the most I can do on that front. Classes are ogood tho and people are motivated to learn English so I've already started a couple informal review sessions with some girls in my classes (and some that just want to learn).
When school didn't start the day they said it would, I was obviously frustrated. But, Erich was in town and we set up to teach a group of women and a couple men how to build a solar dryer and how to make jam so they can conserve products for when the season passes. And that was probably one of the most rewarding experiences so far. The group was so motivated to learn about it and their minds were totally blown with the fact that once you put the jam in a jar and seal it, it can last up to 3 months. Really cool to see Guineans motivated to better their own standings. Really really cool.
So, site is good. I'm in Labe now for Halloween (party tonight) and then a meeting Saturday. Hopefully I can find a ride back to site Sunday... transportation and communication in this country leave a little to be desired, to say the least.
But, I'm doing well. I of course miss you all terribly and can't wait to get some updates! I've been starting to bike more (to neighboring towns) so thats been cool too. Keep me posted on your lives and sorry I couldn't load pictures this time, I forgot to bring my camera cord when I left the house this morning!!
LOVE YOU ALL AND MISS YOU
HAPPY HALLOWEEEEEN!!!!! And keep being the amazing people that you are!! <3
Been at my site for a month now and approaching my 4 monthiversary of being in Guinea. Site is good. I like my town a lot and have made a few crucial friends. There are a couple of missionary families in my town, so they have been INFINITELY helpful and just reassuring to have around. One is a Doctor (Dr. Pepper- no joke) and both families have just been so great and they definitely spoil me when I stop by.
Some of my friends came to visit for my birthday weekend, so that was really good. We killed a chicken and fried it in old bay and made old bay fries (is there any other way?) the chicken was, well, lots of skin and little meat. But that's because chickens in Guinea walk around and eat whatever they find. We should've bought it a couple weeks earlier and had it sit and eat fattening things so we could've gotten a little more meat off it. But at least it was fried with old bay, right??
Thank you so much to all the birthday letters and packages that also made my birthday lovely! I can't say I didn't have a minor meltdown the day before my birthday reading about all of your shenanigans in America, but this life comes with the highs and lows, am I right? But, yes. Thank you all sooo much.
So school started. It isn't the anomaly we all thought. Though, I still wake up every morning finding it hard to motivate myself to be on time when I know no matter what time I get there, I'll still beat most students and most teachers there. But, nevertheless, classes have started and are going pretty well. The biggest frustrations I think come from the education system (lack thereof?) because there are still teachers that don't show up- so where is the motivation for students? Anyways. I show up and I teach and that's the most I can do on that front. Classes are ogood tho and people are motivated to learn English so I've already started a couple informal review sessions with some girls in my classes (and some that just want to learn).
When school didn't start the day they said it would, I was obviously frustrated. But, Erich was in town and we set up to teach a group of women and a couple men how to build a solar dryer and how to make jam so they can conserve products for when the season passes. And that was probably one of the most rewarding experiences so far. The group was so motivated to learn about it and their minds were totally blown with the fact that once you put the jam in a jar and seal it, it can last up to 3 months. Really cool to see Guineans motivated to better their own standings. Really really cool.
So, site is good. I'm in Labe now for Halloween (party tonight) and then a meeting Saturday. Hopefully I can find a ride back to site Sunday... transportation and communication in this country leave a little to be desired, to say the least.
But, I'm doing well. I of course miss you all terribly and can't wait to get some updates! I've been starting to bike more (to neighboring towns) so thats been cool too. Keep me posted on your lives and sorry I couldn't load pictures this time, I forgot to bring my camera cord when I left the house this morning!!
LOVE YOU ALL AND MISS YOU
HAPPY HALLOWEEEEEN!!!!! And keep being the amazing people that you are!! <3
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Me, Carolina, Tiffany and some students from the 12eme class of Practice School. This was the End-of-Practice-School Awards Ceremony.
Turn your head to the right, and you'll see Fatoumata Binta Diallo 1 and 2 in matching complets. This was taken this morning at the Goodbye Ceremony in Forecariah before we left our families.
The Diallo Family, minus the dad. Binta holding Ibrahim, me holding Dalanda, my mom, and bro Saidou. This morning at the Goodbye Ceremony.
My home for the next two years! My Proviseur is on the far right, the Directeur de la Sous-prefecture de l'education is on my other side, and on the far left is Ousmane Sow, the Peace Corps drive for the Fouta region, and also, the man.
Two days away from Swearing in!!
Helllooo long lost blog-readers!! Hope you're all doing well!!
This is the first time I've had internet access in, well, you can tell, a while.
But, I'm done training! In Conakry now, getting ready to set up for our lives as real PC Volunteers! We swear-in as Volunteers on Friday, so until then, we're living the life, opening bank accounts, and shopping for necessities to live at site!
G-16: started training with 25, swearing in with 25! I'm so proud of us all! Everyone made it through and we're just an awesome group! So many cool people and all really motivated!
Training is done, had to say goodbye to our host families this morning, which was kind of sad. I think we were all ready to move on, but still sad to say goodbye to the people. Definitely ready to have more control over our schedules and our daily lives tho. My family was awesome so hopefully I'll get to go back and visit sometime! My homonym (Binta) and I wore matching complets for the ceremony, so that was clearly adorable. I gave the thank you/goodbye speech in Pular so that was fun. I didn't really write it. But I read it! and apparently people understood it! So hooray!!
Tomorrow we do banking stuff, Friday we swear in and [arty, Saturday shopping and party and then Sunday we head out to our various locations around the country. I'm hopefully going to be able to post a few pics on here so you all can get a glimpse into my African life.
It's been so long since I've posted, so I don't really know what all to tell you guys! Met one of the professors from the high school I'll be teaching at. He seems pretty cool. My high school is apparently approx 400 students, out of which 100 ish are girls. No other female teachers, and no other English teachers. We move into site in a week or so, and then school starts Oct 15 (supposedly, but we'll see). So that gives us a few weeks to work on making our house a home- our little mini American/oasis to escape from Guinea if need be. I can always bike an hour or so tho to see another volunteer if I get too lonely, so I'm lucky for that!
Love you all and miss you soo much! It's a bummer to be missing the birthdays, holidays, and just regular days, but I know I'm living those over here with a new group of people too. It's weird that it's already late September, since seasons here aren't really changing, so I still feel like it's summer! Weird. I think I'll really miss the fall and winter- especially come holiday time! But oh well, c'est la vie en Guinee!
Doing really well over here! Everyday makes me glad I chose to do the Peace Corps- even if I miss some things at home and DEFINITELY the people (not to mention the BACON NIGHT AT A BAR IN PITTSBURGH THAT KAREEM JUST TOLD ME ABOUT!!). But! Guinea is great and I'm doing well and staying healthy! (knock on wood!)
LOVE YOU GUYS! KEEP IN TOUCH!
This is the first time I've had internet access in, well, you can tell, a while.
But, I'm done training! In Conakry now, getting ready to set up for our lives as real PC Volunteers! We swear-in as Volunteers on Friday, so until then, we're living the life, opening bank accounts, and shopping for necessities to live at site!
G-16: started training with 25, swearing in with 25! I'm so proud of us all! Everyone made it through and we're just an awesome group! So many cool people and all really motivated!
Training is done, had to say goodbye to our host families this morning, which was kind of sad. I think we were all ready to move on, but still sad to say goodbye to the people. Definitely ready to have more control over our schedules and our daily lives tho. My family was awesome so hopefully I'll get to go back and visit sometime! My homonym (Binta) and I wore matching complets for the ceremony, so that was clearly adorable. I gave the thank you/goodbye speech in Pular so that was fun. I didn't really write it. But I read it! and apparently people understood it! So hooray!!
Tomorrow we do banking stuff, Friday we swear in and [arty, Saturday shopping and party and then Sunday we head out to our various locations around the country. I'm hopefully going to be able to post a few pics on here so you all can get a glimpse into my African life.
It's been so long since I've posted, so I don't really know what all to tell you guys! Met one of the professors from the high school I'll be teaching at. He seems pretty cool. My high school is apparently approx 400 students, out of which 100 ish are girls. No other female teachers, and no other English teachers. We move into site in a week or so, and then school starts Oct 15 (supposedly, but we'll see). So that gives us a few weeks to work on making our house a home- our little mini American/oasis to escape from Guinea if need be. I can always bike an hour or so tho to see another volunteer if I get too lonely, so I'm lucky for that!
Love you all and miss you soo much! It's a bummer to be missing the birthdays, holidays, and just regular days, but I know I'm living those over here with a new group of people too. It's weird that it's already late September, since seasons here aren't really changing, so I still feel like it's summer! Weird. I think I'll really miss the fall and winter- especially come holiday time! But oh well, c'est la vie en Guinee!
Doing really well over here! Everyday makes me glad I chose to do the Peace Corps- even if I miss some things at home and DEFINITELY the people (not to mention the BACON NIGHT AT A BAR IN PITTSBURGH THAT KAREEM JUST TOLD ME ABOUT!!). But! Guinea is great and I'm doing well and staying healthy! (knock on wood!)
LOVE YOU GUYS! KEEP IN TOUCH!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Back in Labe after site visit
sooo ignore the lack of punctuation and capital letters im using the french keyboard
so we did a whirlwind tour of 8 sites in a day and a half. my site name is kankalabe and its a pretty bumpin town. my house is big and my principal and other official that i met are both really nice. the fouta is full of beautiful rides, but terrible roads. luckily no one got too sick and we got to see a lot of towns. now we get to take a breather and relax and hang out with americans.
sorry these posts are brief, but ill do better at answering speciic questions.
my site is kind of a hub for a good cluster of volunteers. lisa conor and joe are all really close on guinea terms so thats awesome.
site was great. gets me really excited for it, but also makes the whole being a peace corps volunteer very real.
love you all and keep in touch
so we did a whirlwind tour of 8 sites in a day and a half. my site name is kankalabe and its a pretty bumpin town. my house is big and my principal and other official that i met are both really nice. the fouta is full of beautiful rides, but terrible roads. luckily no one got too sick and we got to see a lot of towns. now we get to take a breather and relax and hang out with americans.
sorry these posts are brief, but ill do better at answering speciic questions.
my site is kind of a hub for a good cluster of volunteers. lisa conor and joe are all really close on guinea terms so thats awesome.
site was great. gets me really excited for it, but also makes the whole being a peace corps volunteer very real.
love you all and keep in touch
Friday, August 15, 2008
Helloooo! from Labe!
It's been awhile, since there's no internet or anything in the town where we're training, but we're in labe now visiting our regional capital! so allt he Fouta volunteers are here and we're getting to know our big city. tomorrow we head out to our respective sites and get to do a tour of a bunch of people's sites that our near our own. we spend three nights at conor's (formerly beth's) site and then come back to labe for a night before heading back to our stage families.
life is going well. we're all thinking that we're really glad we chose to do this with our lives. so that's a good sign. i think everyone was ready for a change of scenery, so site visit is a welcome difference.
life during training is pretty routine. bucket baths, breakfast, sessions from 8-5, dinnner, hang out with the fam or hang out with the other pcts or pcvs. good times had by all. today was the first day we didnt have to be somewhere at 8. so that was nice.
site visit is a welcome change and everyones excited to see the house they'll be calling home for the next two years. it's also the first time we've been separated from people we've seen everyday since july 7th, so that's kinda weird. tho, unfortunately, we'll be needing to get used to that!
all the PCVs are reallly great and helpful and welcoming, so everytime we do something new for us, they're there welcoming us with happy new year signs and noise makers. great times.
miss you all terribly. sorry this is a brief post, but keep in touch! send letters or packages if you feel so incline :D got letters from mom, john, and emily so far!! thank you allll!!
keep in touch and give me updates on your lives stateside!!
MUCH LOVE FROM GUINEA
~rab
life is going well. we're all thinking that we're really glad we chose to do this with our lives. so that's a good sign. i think everyone was ready for a change of scenery, so site visit is a welcome difference.
life during training is pretty routine. bucket baths, breakfast, sessions from 8-5, dinnner, hang out with the fam or hang out with the other pcts or pcvs. good times had by all. today was the first day we didnt have to be somewhere at 8. so that was nice.
site visit is a welcome change and everyones excited to see the house they'll be calling home for the next two years. it's also the first time we've been separated from people we've seen everyday since july 7th, so that's kinda weird. tho, unfortunately, we'll be needing to get used to that!
all the PCVs are reallly great and helpful and welcoming, so everytime we do something new for us, they're there welcoming us with happy new year signs and noise makers. great times.
miss you all terribly. sorry this is a brief post, but keep in touch! send letters or packages if you feel so incline :D got letters from mom, john, and emily so far!! thank you allll!!
keep in touch and give me updates on your lives stateside!!
MUCH LOVE FROM GUINEA
~rab
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Tomorrow we get adopted!
So yesterday (Saturday) was one of my best days I think so far. Things were just fun and went really well. We started learning Susu survival language to help us get ready for our homestays and that was awesome. Got out of sessions early so a couple of us went to the beach (not like the lay-out and sunbathe kind of beach) with a frisbee and football (american) and started throwing them around. Eventually a bunch of kids joined in which was awesome and I met a few of them that spoke French. One was really cool and his dad is in Portugal for some reason I don't know. There were also two kids who live in Philly that were there and kind of bratty. But oh well.
So that was great fun, got really sweaty and dirty, showered, ate dinner, then went to the roof for the sunset. A-mazing. Then stayed up there and chatted a bit, before going to the other roof to have a few Guinean beers with everyone before calling it quits.
Been a bit woozy today, hoping it passes before our trip tomorrow to our homestay adoption ceremony. Supposedly one of the most awkward experiences we'll have throughout our 2 years. Should add for some great stories.
Had more sessions today and our first session with just other TEFL teachers (english teachers) and we're having our own little elite table at the beach bar tonight to just hang out with current TEFl volunteers and get to know them better. Should be good times.
Gotta run to another homestay orientation session now tho, so keep in touch, and hopefully I can update soon, but I kind of doubt it!
7/14- adoption ceremony
8/1- we find out our site assignments
8/14-20- site visits
9/26- swearing in ceremony!
that's all the big things coming up! love you all!
<3
So that was great fun, got really sweaty and dirty, showered, ate dinner, then went to the roof for the sunset. A-mazing. Then stayed up there and chatted a bit, before going to the other roof to have a few Guinean beers with everyone before calling it quits.
Been a bit woozy today, hoping it passes before our trip tomorrow to our homestay adoption ceremony. Supposedly one of the most awkward experiences we'll have throughout our 2 years. Should add for some great stories.
Had more sessions today and our first session with just other TEFL teachers (english teachers) and we're having our own little elite table at the beach bar tonight to just hang out with current TEFl volunteers and get to know them better. Should be good times.
Gotta run to another homestay orientation session now tho, so keep in touch, and hopefully I can update soon, but I kind of doubt it!
7/14- adoption ceremony
8/1- we find out our site assignments
8/14-20- site visits
9/26- swearing in ceremony!
that's all the big things coming up! love you all!
<3
Friday, July 11, 2008
Life in Conakry (for a PCT)
So it's hard to remember all the little things to write that I want to tell you all! But, I'll try to remember a few.
We're staying in the kush PC house/compound and have sessions in the AM, lunch, then more sessions in the afternoon doing more policies and logistics stuff. We got typhoid fever shots this morning and were told there's about 12 more shots to come over the next three months of PST (pre-service training). WOOHOO VACCINATIONS! But as we all agreed, rather the shot than the disease! Also had our language interviews today so they know what level French language we need to start at. Just basically had a convo about books and free time and a bunch of random things in French and I think we find out our levels tomorrow morning.
After lunch (rice and sauce with some meat), we had a band/dance group come entertain us on the roof of the PC house! That was pretty awesome. I took a few pictures, but every time I tried to take one, they yelled "Venez! Dansez!" (Come! Dance!) So we all danced. and it was hilarious and fun. and we were all soaked with sweat afterwards (just in time for our PC ID photos to be taken... at least the photos will be pretty accurate as to how we look in country. ha)
After that, some more ice breakers, another session, and then another HUGE feast for dinner that I just finished. I guess they're trying to postpone as long as possible our inevitable diarrhea (sorry, it's just a fact).
OH! And before dinner, we had a little break and Jen (my former virtual PC friend, now we're real life friends), took us around the market and thru town a little bit. Similar to Haiti, and still as impressive. We had some oranges that they peel, slice the top and squeeze and drink, so it was like OJ on the go. and delicious.
So in Conakry, we have regular internet access (4 computers for PCV usage), so I can update pretty regularly here. But, we leave here Monday (Bastille day, and Plocki's bday) for our adoption ceremony and to start really training with language, technical skills, etc, etc, etc. So for the three months of training, internet will be less regular (if at all), and I think perhaps we can get you to call our host family's cell phone, with permission obviously. But also, former PCVs suggest not having a cell phone during training so we can fully immerse ourselves into Guinean culture. So yea- TBD about cell phone usage, and don't get used to this regular internet updating!
We find out our sites August 1st I think, and get to visit it for a week before we actually get sworn in. And I can't really think of any other big milestones in the life of PCTs except for those!
Love you all, gotta go let other people tell they're families and friends that they're also alive and kickin!
<3
We're staying in the kush PC house/compound and have sessions in the AM, lunch, then more sessions in the afternoon doing more policies and logistics stuff. We got typhoid fever shots this morning and were told there's about 12 more shots to come over the next three months of PST (pre-service training). WOOHOO VACCINATIONS! But as we all agreed, rather the shot than the disease! Also had our language interviews today so they know what level French language we need to start at. Just basically had a convo about books and free time and a bunch of random things in French and I think we find out our levels tomorrow morning.
After lunch (rice and sauce with some meat), we had a band/dance group come entertain us on the roof of the PC house! That was pretty awesome. I took a few pictures, but every time I tried to take one, they yelled "Venez! Dansez!" (Come! Dance!) So we all danced. and it was hilarious and fun. and we were all soaked with sweat afterwards (just in time for our PC ID photos to be taken... at least the photos will be pretty accurate as to how we look in country. ha)
After that, some more ice breakers, another session, and then another HUGE feast for dinner that I just finished. I guess they're trying to postpone as long as possible our inevitable diarrhea (sorry, it's just a fact).
OH! And before dinner, we had a little break and Jen (my former virtual PC friend, now we're real life friends), took us around the market and thru town a little bit. Similar to Haiti, and still as impressive. We had some oranges that they peel, slice the top and squeeze and drink, so it was like OJ on the go. and delicious.
So in Conakry, we have regular internet access (4 computers for PCV usage), so I can update pretty regularly here. But, we leave here Monday (Bastille day, and Plocki's bday) for our adoption ceremony and to start really training with language, technical skills, etc, etc, etc. So for the three months of training, internet will be less regular (if at all), and I think perhaps we can get you to call our host family's cell phone, with permission obviously. But also, former PCVs suggest not having a cell phone during training so we can fully immerse ourselves into Guinean culture. So yea- TBD about cell phone usage, and don't get used to this regular internet updating!
We find out our sites August 1st I think, and get to visit it for a week before we actually get sworn in. And I can't really think of any other big milestones in the life of PCTs except for those!
Love you all, gotta go let other people tell they're families and friends that they're also alive and kickin!
<3
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Yesterday I woke up in Philly, now I live in Africa
Helloooo all!!
So after sitting around JFK airport for awhile, then finally getting to check our tons of luggage, we made our way to Dakar, Senegal- then connected to Conakry, Guinea. We arrived in Guinea early this morning (with maybe having slept 1 hour or so on the plane)
There was a delightful PC welcoming party to greet us in Conakry! A bunch of current volunteers, our Country Director (CD) and other admins were all there in PC shirts to greet us and help with our baggage. And then, naturally we all loaded into a giant bus to take about the 15 inute drive to the PC house. Which is quite nice. There's the building with all the offices and meeting rooms, then the PC house which has all the bunk beds we'll be sleeping in until Monday morning.
Food's been good. Weather's been hot and sometimes rainy. Everyone is getting along really well and we have a really good group! The old PCVs that are still in country are helping us out a lot and giving us the scoop on most of what we're about to go through. More sessions and shots (in the arm) tomorrow I think as well as some other things!
Doing really well and though I had that brief moment when I woke up in Philly and thought to myself, "What the hell am I doing, moving to Africa?" I'm passed that, and know I'm where I'm supposed to be! I'm really looking forward to learning all I can about the cities and the country in general as well as all the people!
Love you all and miss you terribly! They took our picture today (looking deathly) to send out, so hopefully you (mom and dad) will get that at some point! Check out friendsofguinea.org too!
Love you guys keep in touch! gotta go pass out now, since it's been a ridiculously long day and a half of minimal sleep on the planes!
<3
So after sitting around JFK airport for awhile, then finally getting to check our tons of luggage, we made our way to Dakar, Senegal- then connected to Conakry, Guinea. We arrived in Guinea early this morning (with maybe having slept 1 hour or so on the plane)
There was a delightful PC welcoming party to greet us in Conakry! A bunch of current volunteers, our Country Director (CD) and other admins were all there in PC shirts to greet us and help with our baggage. And then, naturally we all loaded into a giant bus to take about the 15 inute drive to the PC house. Which is quite nice. There's the building with all the offices and meeting rooms, then the PC house which has all the bunk beds we'll be sleeping in until Monday morning.
Food's been good. Weather's been hot and sometimes rainy. Everyone is getting along really well and we have a really good group! The old PCVs that are still in country are helping us out a lot and giving us the scoop on most of what we're about to go through. More sessions and shots (in the arm) tomorrow I think as well as some other things!
Doing really well and though I had that brief moment when I woke up in Philly and thought to myself, "What the hell am I doing, moving to Africa?" I'm passed that, and know I'm where I'm supposed to be! I'm really looking forward to learning all I can about the cities and the country in general as well as all the people!
Love you all and miss you terribly! They took our picture today (looking deathly) to send out, so hopefully you (mom and dad) will get that at some point! Check out friendsofguinea.org too!
Love you guys keep in touch! gotta go pass out now, since it's been a ridiculously long day and a half of minimal sleep on the planes!
<3
Monday, July 7, 2008
Last night in MD
It's my last night in Maryland before heading to Philly tomorrow. Practically finished packing (as the procrastinator that I am) and trying to relax and hang out with family and friends for the rest of the night.
Just want you all to know how much I love you and I'll miss you, but two years will fly by and we can all get together and exchange stories of our adventures when I get back! Keep in touch always <3
"Wherever you are, it is your friends who make your world." william james
Love you all more than life!
Just want you all to know how much I love you and I'll miss you, but two years will fly by and we can all get together and exchange stories of our adventures when I get back! Keep in touch always <3
"Wherever you are, it is your friends who make your world." william james
Love you all more than life!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
5.5 weeks away from a new beginning!
Just started this blog business to prepare for all the updates I'll (hopefully) be giving while in Africa!
I leave July 7 for orientation in Philly, then July 10th I'm off to Guinea in West Africa until 2010! Should be quite the adventure.
Stay tuned for updates over the next two and a half years of my life on another continent!
I leave July 7 for orientation in Philly, then July 10th I'm off to Guinea in West Africa until 2010! Should be quite the adventure.
Stay tuned for updates over the next two and a half years of my life on another continent!
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