Highlights from January 2009

Well, like last time, I've been writing down random things I do that might be interesting to hear about since last time I had internet, so here's some updates on what I've been doing for my first month of 2009.

Welp, unfortunately got back to site and found out that Leppi, my adorable kitten, had died on Christmas morning. They don't know what happened to her, but she passed quickly. The Peppers made a nice grave for her, and so it goes, I've lost my first pet ever. But, luckily, a friend of mine's cat just had kittens, so we're going to try again. This one, whose gender I still don't know, will be named Njemma (pronounced "jemma") which is Pular for "night."

I was pretty sick for New Years, but New Years day, Conor and I got to spend amongst the missionary families in my town, so it was very warm and familial, which was lovely and refreshing since I can't as easily spend it amongst my vrai famille. So 2009 started well.

Since the New Year, there have been a lot of parties for people who have recently returned from the Hadj in Mecca. So I went to one party for that where I got to try a Baobab fruit- exciting! It was tasty and made me feel that much more closer to the book, Le Petit Prince. Also, baobabs are awesome. I went to another village for another party for a Guinean who actually lives in the U.S. now who also just got back from Mecca. Mainly, you greet a lot of people and eat a lot of food and do a lot of sitting. They also did a reading of the Koran. Which, as my friend explained to me, was all the men (about 40-50) separate parts of the Koran and everyone reads a different section in Arabic all at the same time so after about an hour or so, the entire Koran is read. Seems a little odd to me, and I don't really understand whether or not anyone gets any fulfillment from that process. But, again, perhaps I just don't understand.

It's been cold at site. Yes. I wear my sweatshirt every morning and night, and after biking to school, I haven't been able to feel my toes. Maybe that means I'm a wuss and it's probably still 50 degrees- but let me tell you- it feels stinkin cold! And I like it! Also it's been super dusty and windy- the harmattan- they call it. which is dust being brought by the winds, carrying sand from the Sahara. So that's kind of neat to think about.

My neighbor's sister passed away. Which I found out about because of the intense wailing coming from their house. Guinean mourning is probably the worst, most heart-wrenching sound I've ever heard. Sometimes people hire wailers, to mourn the dead. But either way, it's rough to listen to.

Another thing I find interesting is how if something does not exist in their lives here, they don't have a word for it in local language or don't know the French word. For example, some students had never heard of a bear before. Never. Not the word, couldn't picture it, and it doesn't exist in Pular. It's interesting because even if something doesn't exist directly in our lives in America, we have internet and access to information in so many different aspects. In villages here, if they don't see it, they don't know it exists. Kind of weird to think about.

A highlight for me, since I've been in Guinea, let alone since I've been at site, I went to visit a family in a village about 7 k away. They met me in the market and invited me to visit, which would never happen in America. Or if someone invited you, you would definitely not go. But, I went. And it was one of my best days in country. Or ever. I biked there with the dad of the family and the town is beautiful. On a mountain, beautiful trails, and a peak you can stand on and see for miles. Really beautiful. But, not even that, the family was extravagantly generous. It still blows my mind to think about it. They instantly peeled 5 oranges, cracked tons of peanuts, , chicken to cook for me, only for me, and before I left gifted me with tons more oranges, sweet potatoes and peanuts. Invited me back anytime and I think really just want to be like a host family for me. It was truly awesome and this isn't really doing it justice, but maybe I'll eventually type up my journal entry about it another day. Over the past weeks when I visited them in the market, they've offered to do my laundry, and have also gifted me with a new Guinean outfit. Guinean generosity and hospitality has never ceased to amaze me.

As a final image for you guys to picture in your minds and laugh about, imagine Lisa getting into a SUV taxi, jam packed with Guineans, with the roof piled high with all of their bags, and then Lisa's bike and new cat in a cage strapped to the top of the pile. Hilarious moment, wish I took a picture, but oh well- it was pretty hilarious.

Anywho, I love and miss you all! I'm currently at our In-Service Training, so I have reception till Friday morning. It's been the first time all of G16 has been reunited since we've been at site, so it's been great so far and we're all having a great time swapping stories and just enjoying each other's company!

love and miss you all terribly and keep me posted on your lives!

p.s. I can't help but feel proud to be an American in Africa as our first African-American President has been elected and inaugurated. :) Cool stuff.

<3
rach