Well we made it to Conakry for New Year’s Eve. Tonight there is a reggae fest at the Beach Bar and I am considering dropping 30 mil for a vrai pizza. Or maybe I’ll try to split one with someone so it’s only 15 mil each. In American money, 30 mil is only 6 bucks but here that is a lot. That is 6 egg sandwiches or 12 bean bowls or 30 good tomatoes or 60 oranges or 7 beers or 3 bottles of gin, to put things in perspective. But…it will have real cheese on it!!! OMG!!!
So…please send cheese. A mozarella variety would be awesome if such a confection can be found. Then I could make my own pizza.
Everything is going well. My mom has discovered that Americans like spaghetti so she has been making that for dinner A LOT even though I told her like a week ago that the frite is my favorite meal (and she hasn’t made it since, go fig!). I would have to say the spaghetti is probably my least favorite meal out of what she makes so I am a bit baffled that she seems so enamored with it! Maybe it’s because it is easy to make. I dunno. I hope to have a frite when I get back, it's my fave. French fries are awesome.
We are going back to Forecariah tomorrow afternoon after less than 24 hours in Conakry. I don’t think we are going to be able to go shopping or change money tomorrow, either, because it will be New Year’s Day and a lot of places will be closed. That means no shopping or money-changing until swear-in. Which means no vrai cheese from Super Bobo (the supermarket in Conakry). I guess life could be worse :).
I have not received any letters from anyone!! SEND ME LETTERS PEOPLE!! I will not be back to internet until February so letters would be great. In training they should only take about 2 weeks to get to me so GET WRITING!!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Cross-Cultural Adaptation
Cross-Culture story: So on my way back from Chey Vicky, Jake wanted to stop for cigarettes so I went with him and bought two of my favorite bon-bons. It is like a strawberries and cream Chupa pop. I got one for me and one for Mamadaba. I had given Mohammed a bon-bon yesterday. So I give the one to Mamadaba and had been enjoying mine all the way home. Then I tried to explain to Fatim that it was my faaaaaaaavorite bon-bon. And I held it out like, “see, the pink and white one? It’s my favorite!” And she promptly took it from my hand and stuck it in her mouth, only to hand it back to me after she’d had a sufficient taste. I thought about how in the States that would seem like Fatim was doing that because she knew I wouldn’t eat the rest of it if she did. But here, they share the same everything. They use my spoon to finish my plate when I am done just after I’ve popped it out of my mouth. It ain’t no thing.
Friday, December 26, 2008
G17 Presents: Christmas Coup 2008
.JPG)
Well, in case you didn’t notice, we did not go to Conakry for Christmas. There was a coup d’etat, but no shots were fired save the ones fired into the air all night Christmas Eve in celebration. At first in the back of my head I thought it was fireworks (duh, there are no fireworks in Guinea), but then Ousmane suggested everyone get under the patio ceiling, as what goes up must come down. Almost all of us were at the Bureau when it happened and had planned to spend the night anyway, which we did in 13-year-old style glory in the air-conditioned sick rooms.
So the military is now in charge of the country, Camara is now the de facto President, though some old government officials are still claiming to be in charge and asking for international assistance, but Camara’s convoy rolled through Conakry Christmas Eve with no resistance and people in the street applauding and took over the Presidential Palace.
They are still saying elections will be in December 2010, when Conte’s term would have ended (although if he were still alive in 2010 there is little doubt he would have remained in power). The international community is calling for free, fair elections in 6 months so Camara is meeting with all international embassies and organizations (including our Peace Corps Country Director, Dan) tomorrow to discuss the future of Guinea. EDIT: Dan did not end up attending this meeting, but came to Forecariah instead to attend the cross-cultural fair, show his daughters the training site and tour a few PCT accommodations. He also spoke with us for a little while about the situation, what it was like in Conakry and that he is hopeful we will be able to go to Conakry for the New Year’s Eve celebration.
As I type this, the military is firing (hopefully into the air). Today was Conte’s funeral. They just started firing a couple minutes ago. Camara issued an 8pm curfew country-wide for all civilians. Ousmane says it is because everything in Guinea happens under cover of night and Camara is afraid of a counter-coup/mercenaries from neighboring countries. He also said he is strict about PCTs adhering to the curfew because the military tends to get drunk and fire indiscriminately/be scary.
We have been kind of afraid of the military, I think because as Americans we have been conditioned to think of Africans in uniform as dangerous. However, they have all been very friendly and in good spirits when we have seen them out. Christmas Day I was walking to the marche with Jessica and Dave and there was a big group of military outside the Prefet’s office (now the Commondante’s office – they kicked the Prefet out of her house and office the same night they took over the Presidential Palace). They were in good spirits, firing into the air, a big group of people watching them from the road. We jumped as a female soldier let out a burst of shots into the air not 20 yards from us. I also collected a few shell casings, which could be found by the side of the road, though not as many as you would think, considering all the firing. We think petites have also been gathering them up, as well.
Serima (language instructor) said they were firing blanks but Ousmane said he didn’t believe that was true so to watch out. Some shots come very close by my house as our neighbor to the left is military.
Peace Corps isn’t even close to sending us out-of-country. There would have to be violence or a gasoline shortage in order for that to happen and that has not been the case as of yet.
Priscilla (PC Admin) was able to get us cell phones on Christmas Day and had them sent to Forecariah, so we are all now with phone! Incoming calls are free for us and it costs .18 cents a minute to call using Skype from the US. To get the number, email me or contact my mom or dad, who have the number. If you have my old US cell # that is one way you can contact my mom as that # is now being used by my stepdad for his cell phone. Call as often as is practical! We are not supposed to answer during sessions (weekdays 8-12:30pm, 2-5pm Guinea time – 5 hrs ahead of East Coast, 8 hours ahead of Cali), so try to call before or after sessions, at lunch or on weekends. This is in effect until after we swear-in February 4, then call anytime!
A big thank you to PC Conkary for getting those phones for us since we were not able to go to Conakry for Christmas. An even bigger thanks for arranging for the cost of the phones to just be deducted from our settling-in allowance!
Ousmane said that if everything is normal in Conakry next week that we can go to Conakry for New Year’s Eve (leave Forecariah after sessions) and New Year’s Day (return to Forecariah New Year’s night) rather then take the day trip to the swimming hole that was previously planned for New Year’s Day.
Anyway, Christmas was still fun even though we weren’t in Conakry and a huge feast was made, consisting of pasta w/sauce (Danielle), indian food (Sajay), Ian’s special ginger-onion-potato soup, an attempt at mashed potatoes (actually it was Tenise because at the marche they said there were no potatoes, though later in the day Ian found some WTF – me), chicken (3, killed by Nick, Joseph and Jessica – I have video), dessert doughnuts (Jessica and Dave), garlic bread (Caitlin and Corinna), and ginger snap cookies (Julie). I think that was it. We all had to share plates and the few utensils we had. I shared a plate with Juliann, Ashley and Sacha. It was Christmas Guinean-style.
7 of us spent the night at the Bureau Christmas night as well in the freezing Public Health office (it was glorious except for the fact that I got sick for some reason and projectile vomited half the night, but I was the only one to get sick so I think it was that I ate a couple of bites of chicken and my body didn’t like it).
We opened Secret Snowflake gifts which was fun and everyone got some fun stuff. Dan and Julia sent a box of goodies for us from Conakry, too, including news items which was nice.
All-in-all, a good Christmas (Coup-style).
SOME INFO ON PRESIDENT CAMARA: I have heard conflicting reports on his age ranging from 35 – 44, but all told he is relatively young. He was pretty much unknown until he proclaimed himself to be the new President. He is from the Forest Region, which is really good because the other three regions (Haute, Fouta and Basse Cote) are largely dominated by specific ethnic groups and if someone from one of those groups had become the interim President, there could have been ethnic tensions. Camara grew up poor in a hut with no running water or electricity, is university educated, calls himself a patriot and (here’s the kicker) is Christian! Weird, right? This is a dominantly Muslim country so to have a Christian as the new President is very weird. Here in Guinea most people are happy (or at least not devastated) by the turn of events. Pretty much everyone hated the dude that the Constitution stated would take power in the event of the President’s death (Speaker of the Parliament). They like what Camara says and if he delivers on what he is promising the future is bright for Guinea. My hope is that he will replicate what recently happened in Mali, where there was a military coup d’etat and the dude in power organized free, fair elections in two years and then did not even run, giving confidence that the election was truly free and fair. Camara is saying that he will execute anyone found to be embezzling money from the government, he has suspended and renegotiated the mining contracts (which is where Guinea’s wealth really lies), demoted Conte’s fat cats in the military and committed to making Guinea a better place. I hope he comes through.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
RIP Conte
This morning at 1am it was announced that the President of Guinea (who in practice has been more of a dictator than anything else), Lansana Conte, has died. Word spread throughout Guinea like wildfire. Apparently someone knocked on my family’s door at 2am with the news, but I did not hear it.
This morning Ousmane (training manager and acting safety and security officer) called everyone to the Bureau to discuss the situation. As of then, everything was still normal, save some roadblocks in and out of Conakry, the capitol, which Peace Corps personnel were able to get through eventually, but not without trouble.
This means our Christmas trip back to Conakry is in all likelihood canceled, though we will know for sure in the morning.
It was a tense day among the PCTs as we gathered around radios and continually asked Ousmane for updates. At some point in the morning, some military people got on the radio and said that they had taken over the government and that the Constitution was now suspended. A couple of hours later, the Prime Minister got on the radio and said that wasn’t true and that elections will take place in 2 months, which no one believes will happen (at least not a free, fair election), as Guinea does not have accurate voter registration or the infrastructure to actually carry out a free, fair election.
Most of the day went on as planned, but the Incident Reporting session ended up being taken over by questions about the future of the country, our trip to Conakry, and phone calls to all of our parents to let them know the situation, as the news in the US is apparently saying there has been a coup d’etat, which as of now, 9:30pm, is not the case. However, tonight will really tell the tale. If the military storms the government buildings in Conakry, which are located on a peninsula, they could take over and no one knows what will happen. According to the Constitution, the Speaker of the Assembly is now in power, so if the military actually does take over, THEN it will be a coup.
Most of the PCT families have been extra cautious today. Even my family told me I could only go to the Bureau this evening and made sure I was walking with friends, which they have never done before. However, I did end up going to Chey Vicky, as that is where Julie was going and I was waiting for a call from my mom on her phone (which never came).
A little before 9, Ousmane called Julie’s phone and I answered since I was holding the phone waiting for the call. Ousmane said to tell everyone at Chey Vicky to go home immediately and finish their beer in their rooms because “it isn’t safe.” Everyone immediately got up and we made sure everyone had someone to accompany them home and we took off.
Some of us went to the Bureau to ask Ousmane what had happened and he said that 32 names had been read out over the radio as people who want to overthrow the government, many of them military. He did not know how the military in Forecariah would react so he wanted everyone home by 9 so he knew where we were and were not out on the streets.
It is kind of frightening that this is happening, but I think eventually it will be good for Guinea to have the opportunity for new leadership (Conte had been in power for, like, over 20 years – 24 to be exact). The question is will it happen peacefully or not. Considering the volatile nature of the country as of late (Peace Corps was evacuated in 2007 due to rioting and the unavailability of gasoline), it is a real possibility there could be violence.
Here in Forecariah, we are only 50k from Sierra Leone and Ousmane had requested all of our passports in case we need to make a run for the border. Many of us have made “go bags” to prepare for this. Mine has some clothes, soap, toothpaste, moleskin, a sleeping bag, baby wipes, duct tape, batteries, my shortwave radio, all of my money and my medical kit in it. If I do have to use it, I will also grab my Leatherman, which is currently in my day bag, and my headlamp.
Anyway, the morning will bring more news, unless there is a pounding on the door in the middle of the night telling me to get my stuff and run (which is highly unlikely).
This morning Ousmane (training manager and acting safety and security officer) called everyone to the Bureau to discuss the situation. As of then, everything was still normal, save some roadblocks in and out of Conakry, the capitol, which Peace Corps personnel were able to get through eventually, but not without trouble.
This means our Christmas trip back to Conakry is in all likelihood canceled, though we will know for sure in the morning.
It was a tense day among the PCTs as we gathered around radios and continually asked Ousmane for updates. At some point in the morning, some military people got on the radio and said that they had taken over the government and that the Constitution was now suspended. A couple of hours later, the Prime Minister got on the radio and said that wasn’t true and that elections will take place in 2 months, which no one believes will happen (at least not a free, fair election), as Guinea does not have accurate voter registration or the infrastructure to actually carry out a free, fair election.
Most of the day went on as planned, but the Incident Reporting session ended up being taken over by questions about the future of the country, our trip to Conakry, and phone calls to all of our parents to let them know the situation, as the news in the US is apparently saying there has been a coup d’etat, which as of now, 9:30pm, is not the case. However, tonight will really tell the tale. If the military storms the government buildings in Conakry, which are located on a peninsula, they could take over and no one knows what will happen. According to the Constitution, the Speaker of the Assembly is now in power, so if the military actually does take over, THEN it will be a coup.
Most of the PCT families have been extra cautious today. Even my family told me I could only go to the Bureau this evening and made sure I was walking with friends, which they have never done before. However, I did end up going to Chey Vicky, as that is where Julie was going and I was waiting for a call from my mom on her phone (which never came).
A little before 9, Ousmane called Julie’s phone and I answered since I was holding the phone waiting for the call. Ousmane said to tell everyone at Chey Vicky to go home immediately and finish their beer in their rooms because “it isn’t safe.” Everyone immediately got up and we made sure everyone had someone to accompany them home and we took off.
Some of us went to the Bureau to ask Ousmane what had happened and he said that 32 names had been read out over the radio as people who want to overthrow the government, many of them military. He did not know how the military in Forecariah would react so he wanted everyone home by 9 so he knew where we were and were not out on the streets.
It is kind of frightening that this is happening, but I think eventually it will be good for Guinea to have the opportunity for new leadership (Conte had been in power for, like, over 20 years – 24 to be exact). The question is will it happen peacefully or not. Considering the volatile nature of the country as of late (Peace Corps was evacuated in 2007 due to rioting and the unavailability of gasoline), it is a real possibility there could be violence.
Here in Forecariah, we are only 50k from Sierra Leone and Ousmane had requested all of our passports in case we need to make a run for the border. Many of us have made “go bags” to prepare for this. Mine has some clothes, soap, toothpaste, moleskin, a sleeping bag, baby wipes, duct tape, batteries, my shortwave radio, all of my money and my medical kit in it. If I do have to use it, I will also grab my Leatherman, which is currently in my day bag, and my headlamp.
Anyway, the morning will bring more news, unless there is a pounding on the door in the middle of the night telling me to get my stuff and run (which is highly unlikely).
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Frustrations
Today has been a tough day. I have started to experience some of the “downs” of the “ups and downs” one refers to when talking about Peace Corps. I do not want to spend time with my family today, nor do I want to study French.
AgFo works every single day. We have NO days off. Saturday we have community meeting (a time when we all get together to air grievances, make announcements, set up study groups, etc…), usually followed by a short AgFo meeting regarding the Sunday activity. Then on Sunday we have an Environmental Ed project, so far with the kids at the school where we have our pepiniere. I had a small breakdown at the beginning and a few tears were shed. I was just frustrated because Abdoul, our tech trainer, wanted us to tell the kids about what we had been doing since we saw them last and my brain just would NOT work to put together the French. Our new PCV trainer, Julie, sat with me and said it was ok, French is a hard language and I shouldn’t sweat it. I am grateful that the PCVs are so understanding and will take the time out to sit with you and help you feel better. I guess it’s because they have all been there. She said some days she cries, some days she screams, other days she punches pillows. It’s all part of life in the PC.
In the end I put together a pretty good paragraph about the mudstoves and some of the girls seemed to really understand what I said and explained it back.
In other news, I did not end up switching language trainers for next week, though my class is completely different. I am now in a class with all AgFo: Chris-Heijn, Jessica, Danyelle, and Ian. Jason ended up in another class with Mary and Sajay. The other day Danielle asked if I had had any French before coming here and then said, “You’re doing really well for only 2 weeks of class!”
Those things make me feel better about my progress but I am still worried it is not coming fast enough as we are entering Week 3 of a 9-week training period. And two weeks of it are eaten up by holidays off (Christmas Day and New Year’s Day), counterpart workshop and site visit. So really there are only 7 more weeks of instruction.
I guess I shouldn’t worry that much because in all likelihood I will never speak French at site.
Speaking of sites, the rumor is that AgFo has only 1 site in Basse Cote, 1 site in Haute and 4 in Fouta. Each region has its pluses and minuses and I’m not going to play the game about which region is “better”.
On Christmas Day we will be getting cell phones and there is good service here in Forecariah so I will be available by phone for the rest of PST. While I have enjoyed being “unplugged” for the last few weeks, it will be nice to hear voices from home once in awhile. Some of the others have had family call some of the PCVs cell phones for chats but I haven’t.
Six of us (one married couple) still do not have water filters. Traian had forgotten about it because when he was here last week and I asked him about them, he needed us to make a list of the names missing them. So hopefully that will be taken care of soon, though I don’t really mind having to go to the Bureau for water. Really I just want it in my hands so I am sure I will have it when we go to site.
Yesterday before community meeting, several of us met to do Yoga and 9-minute abs. Some of my muscles actually hurt! That’s what I get for not exercising for so long!
Today we bought some tomatoes in the market with the kids to show them how to get seeds from fruit (we also bought some starfruit and aubergines for the same purpose). We bought three small, but good tomatoes and they were 1 mil each! In American money that’s only .20 cents but here that is expensive! You can get a whole bean sandwich for 1 mil! However, tomatoes are out of season so that is part of it, too.
Also I noticed that I have spent all of my PC stipend on consumables, save for one 17 mil pagne (a rip-off, by the way, it should have been no more than 15 mil). Beer, food, soap, ketchup, water, oranges…that’s where all my money goes. When we get our next stipend this week I am vowing to spend more on non-consumables, like getting clothes made (which many others have already done) and less on food like egg sandwiches. If I am going to get an egg sandwich I need to cut it to a petite sandwich with only 1 egg and 1 cheese (should be 3 mil) as opposed to 2 eggs and 2 cheese (5 mil). Also I have stopped buying beer. Partly because Traian said it has formaldehyde in it and partly because we go to Chey Vicky’s a LOT and dropping 4 mil per beer (sometimes 5 mil when he doesn’t have change) was eating through my cash FAST. I have also stopped buying fries at Chey Vicky’s (granted, I only bought them once) because it is 5 mil for a plate of like 20 fries and no ketchup. Eff that.
It is funny how valuable a dollar has become (5 mil). Some people keep trying to convert it back to what they paid in American money so “it isn’t so bad”, but you really can’t do that here. You have to guard those francs with your life!! Well, not with your life, but with your discute (bargaining) skills.
At site, the stipend is 1 million francs/month or about $200. In training we are getting about 400,000 francs/month, or less than $100. To put that in perspective, the Guinean per-capita income is something like $500 a year. So comparatively, PCVs have a lot of money.
For Christmas, I have signed up to make mashed potatoes and Sam said she would take me to get vrai butter at a Leb Store (Lebanese store…for some reason there is a big Lebanese population in Conakry and they sell Western stuff in their stores). She also said we could get some boxed milk…so we’ll see how well the potatoes turn out!
Anyway, I’m on garden watering duty today so I am going to try and find a way to bike there without breaking my neck. A tout l’heure!
AND A COUPLE HOURS LATER: My bike’s front tire was flat when I tried to take it out to the garden. So I walked instead. No big deal, I thought, I’ll just repair the tire when I get back. So I get back and take the tire to the Bureau so Ian can help me repair it. We find the hole, patch it, stick it back in and pump it up. I ride it around the Bureau a little bit and it seems good. Mission accomplished? Not quite. As I’m getting ready to leave the Bureau about an hour later, the tire is flat again. C'est la vie in Guinea.
AgFo works every single day. We have NO days off. Saturday we have community meeting (a time when we all get together to air grievances, make announcements, set up study groups, etc…), usually followed by a short AgFo meeting regarding the Sunday activity. Then on Sunday we have an Environmental Ed project, so far with the kids at the school where we have our pepiniere. I had a small breakdown at the beginning and a few tears were shed. I was just frustrated because Abdoul, our tech trainer, wanted us to tell the kids about what we had been doing since we saw them last and my brain just would NOT work to put together the French. Our new PCV trainer, Julie, sat with me and said it was ok, French is a hard language and I shouldn’t sweat it. I am grateful that the PCVs are so understanding and will take the time out to sit with you and help you feel better. I guess it’s because they have all been there. She said some days she cries, some days she screams, other days she punches pillows. It’s all part of life in the PC.
In the end I put together a pretty good paragraph about the mudstoves and some of the girls seemed to really understand what I said and explained it back.
In other news, I did not end up switching language trainers for next week, though my class is completely different. I am now in a class with all AgFo: Chris-Heijn, Jessica, Danyelle, and Ian. Jason ended up in another class with Mary and Sajay. The other day Danielle asked if I had had any French before coming here and then said, “You’re doing really well for only 2 weeks of class!”
Those things make me feel better about my progress but I am still worried it is not coming fast enough as we are entering Week 3 of a 9-week training period. And two weeks of it are eaten up by holidays off (Christmas Day and New Year’s Day), counterpart workshop and site visit. So really there are only 7 more weeks of instruction.
I guess I shouldn’t worry that much because in all likelihood I will never speak French at site.
Speaking of sites, the rumor is that AgFo has only 1 site in Basse Cote, 1 site in Haute and 4 in Fouta. Each region has its pluses and minuses and I’m not going to play the game about which region is “better”.
On Christmas Day we will be getting cell phones and there is good service here in Forecariah so I will be available by phone for the rest of PST. While I have enjoyed being “unplugged” for the last few weeks, it will be nice to hear voices from home once in awhile. Some of the others have had family call some of the PCVs cell phones for chats but I haven’t.
Six of us (one married couple) still do not have water filters. Traian had forgotten about it because when he was here last week and I asked him about them, he needed us to make a list of the names missing them. So hopefully that will be taken care of soon, though I don’t really mind having to go to the Bureau for water. Really I just want it in my hands so I am sure I will have it when we go to site.
Yesterday before community meeting, several of us met to do Yoga and 9-minute abs. Some of my muscles actually hurt! That’s what I get for not exercising for so long!
Today we bought some tomatoes in the market with the kids to show them how to get seeds from fruit (we also bought some starfruit and aubergines for the same purpose). We bought three small, but good tomatoes and they were 1 mil each! In American money that’s only .20 cents but here that is expensive! You can get a whole bean sandwich for 1 mil! However, tomatoes are out of season so that is part of it, too.
Also I noticed that I have spent all of my PC stipend on consumables, save for one 17 mil pagne (a rip-off, by the way, it should have been no more than 15 mil). Beer, food, soap, ketchup, water, oranges…that’s where all my money goes. When we get our next stipend this week I am vowing to spend more on non-consumables, like getting clothes made (which many others have already done) and less on food like egg sandwiches. If I am going to get an egg sandwich I need to cut it to a petite sandwich with only 1 egg and 1 cheese (should be 3 mil) as opposed to 2 eggs and 2 cheese (5 mil). Also I have stopped buying beer. Partly because Traian said it has formaldehyde in it and partly because we go to Chey Vicky’s a LOT and dropping 4 mil per beer (sometimes 5 mil when he doesn’t have change) was eating through my cash FAST. I have also stopped buying fries at Chey Vicky’s (granted, I only bought them once) because it is 5 mil for a plate of like 20 fries and no ketchup. Eff that.
It is funny how valuable a dollar has become (5 mil). Some people keep trying to convert it back to what they paid in American money so “it isn’t so bad”, but you really can’t do that here. You have to guard those francs with your life!! Well, not with your life, but with your discute (bargaining) skills.
At site, the stipend is 1 million francs/month or about $200. In training we are getting about 400,000 francs/month, or less than $100. To put that in perspective, the Guinean per-capita income is something like $500 a year. So comparatively, PCVs have a lot of money.
For Christmas, I have signed up to make mashed potatoes and Sam said she would take me to get vrai butter at a Leb Store (Lebanese store…for some reason there is a big Lebanese population in Conakry and they sell Western stuff in their stores). She also said we could get some boxed milk…so we’ll see how well the potatoes turn out!
Anyway, I’m on garden watering duty today so I am going to try and find a way to bike there without breaking my neck. A tout l’heure!
AND A COUPLE HOURS LATER: My bike’s front tire was flat when I tried to take it out to the garden. So I walked instead. No big deal, I thought, I’ll just repair the tire when I get back. So I get back and take the tire to the Bureau so Ian can help me repair it. We find the hole, patch it, stick it back in and pump it up. I ride it around the Bureau a little bit and it seems good. Mission accomplished? Not quite. As I’m getting ready to leave the Bureau about an hour later, the tire is flat again. C'est la vie in Guinea.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Life in Forecariah
I can’t believe next week is Christmas.
Ok, much to say. Tonight we had the “going-away” party for Teale an Alex, our AgFo trainers. Teale made her infamous “princess punch” which was awesome. You can get Coke and Fanta pretty much anywhere here.
Things you can find pretty much anywhere: spaghetti, tomato paste, laughing cow cheese, mayonnaise, French bread, onions.
As of late I have been frustrated about language learning. I do not feel I am progressing at the rate I need to progress and today Kona (language head) told us that due to budget cuts there will not be private at-site tutoring available as in the past, so if we are not up to speed by swear-in (early February), we will not be sworn in. We don’t know if that means we will be sent home or what. He said in the last stage there were 3 that required private tutoring, which they received, but we shall not be so lucky.
I still like my family and occasionally kidnapping a chick from its mommy. Little chicks are fun to hold. They complain, but they won’t jump off your hand, even when you are trying to put them back on the floor.
Oh, my family thinks Jake is my boyfriend and Scott is my second boyfriend. Hilarious!
The other day I was outside Jake’s house and we saw a big bird swoop down and steal a chick (sort of a bigger chick, but not full-size) and take it away to go eat it. The little chick was screaming in the claws of the big bird and all the other chickens were screaming. It was kind of horrifying. But, c’est la vie!
I have embraced the “water method” when using the toilet for one reason: it takes way too much water to flush toilet paper. Seriously. I am just not willing to waste all that water trying to flush the (pink!) toilet paper when I could just as easily use water to clean myself and not even flush at all! Well, half the time :).
Christmas Eve (Wednesday), we go back to Conakry in the afternoon and spend all of Christmas Day there. We plan to get cell phones and do some shopping and have a Christmas party. There has also been talk of renting a boat and going out to one of the islands to swim. We come back Friday morning. On New Year’s Day we have an outing to a nearby waterfall, which should be fun because we can swim there.
Site announcements are week 5, which seemed far away in the beginning, but now that we are ending week 2 of training, we are halfway to site announcements and it doesn’t seem far off at all.
Tomorrow we learn to build mud stoves and have half a day of language. I want to get in as many language hours as possible because as I said before, I am not doing well on the language front. We are going to start a study group a few nights a week and both Danielle and Scott have agreed to some private tutoring for me.
Also, my toothbrush has not been a subject of discussion past the first couple of days. I have had nothing stolen. Last night, though, someone stole Danielle’s purse, which she had over her shoulder walking to Chey Vicky (a bar popular amongst PCVs/PCTs). She didn’t have much in it, but it brought the whole thing home. Also, someone stole a pair of pants and a shirt from Sajay by “fishing” through his window. Oh and at the beach bar in Conakry, someone jacked Jason’s digital SLR camera, which is the most valuable thing to have been stolen and Sajay’s football.
Last night I had a Mefloquine dream (the malaria meds give me very long, varied, vivid dreams and is my only side effect and I don’t mind it at all!) that I was working on the new Batman movie and Christian Bale was my boyfriend. NICE. But then Ben and I were driving around in the Batmobile and pushing all the buttons. He is the first stagiare to end up in one of my dreams, which I guess isn’t that shocking since I see him a lot as he is one of the three in my language class. I guess Jason is the only one I see more, as he is in my language class and also in my tech sessions (he is AgFo).
AgFo does all the cool stuff. We are the only ones actually doing the things we will do at site: creating a pepiniere with school kids, making a compost pit, growing gardens (we each have our own individual 7x3 foot plot – piment and aubergines), going on field trips (to a defunct diamond mine where people still dig for diamonds by hand and occasionally find some!), building mud stoves, making jam, making solar dryers…AgFo rules!
The Forecariah marche does not have the same stuff as the one in Conakry. Basically, the vegetables you can find are piment (peppers), potatoes, cucumber, onion and garlic (and apparently tomato but I have only seen it served, not sold). So basically my diet revolves around those items. My typical meals: a fresh potato salad (potato, onion, egg, cucumber in mayo), a frite (French fries, onion, egg), black eyed peas and rice (cooked with onion, garlic, piment and spices), potato stew (not sure what all was in this but it was mainly potato and tasty!), and egg sandwiches from the café (French bread, frommage – laughing cow -, onion and egg and sometimes ketchup). For breakfast it is always French bread and one of the following: tasteless, nonrefrigerated margarine, frommage, or peanut butter and honey. I would say my fave of those would have to be peanut butter and honey. Also, I have yet to be served spaghetti, which kind of shocks me because it is so easy to make with a tomato paste and garlic sauce. Who knows.
On Thursdays we have a catered lunch from a restaurant 100k away and it is always good and varied: cucumber and tomato slices, veggies, rice and sauce, beans, bread, etc… I load up on the sweet potatoes, peas, carrots, etc… that come with that meal to get myself some variety and nutrients.
But I would have to say my favorite meal at home is the frite (I should invest in some ketchup to have with it) and favorite meal out (depending on the day) is either the egg sandwich or bean sandwich (when it doesn’t have mashed up fish in it). Both of which can be found at the intersection (Carrefour) close to the Bureau. Although we have to ask the bean lady to be out for lunch the day before, but she has obliged!
I am not a fan of rice and sauce for the most part, mostly because the sauce always has mashed up fish in it which I can taste and do not like. The leaf sauce would be good if they would just leave it at that: leaf sauce sans mashed up fish. I can’t wait to try some Moringa leaf sauce (super healthy!).
Anyway I’m beat and have a long day ahead of me in the morning so, a tout l’heure!
Ok, much to say. Tonight we had the “going-away” party for Teale an Alex, our AgFo trainers. Teale made her infamous “princess punch” which was awesome. You can get Coke and Fanta pretty much anywhere here.
Things you can find pretty much anywhere: spaghetti, tomato paste, laughing cow cheese, mayonnaise, French bread, onions.
As of late I have been frustrated about language learning. I do not feel I am progressing at the rate I need to progress and today Kona (language head) told us that due to budget cuts there will not be private at-site tutoring available as in the past, so if we are not up to speed by swear-in (early February), we will not be sworn in. We don’t know if that means we will be sent home or what. He said in the last stage there were 3 that required private tutoring, which they received, but we shall not be so lucky.
I still like my family and occasionally kidnapping a chick from its mommy. Little chicks are fun to hold. They complain, but they won’t jump off your hand, even when you are trying to put them back on the floor.
Oh, my family thinks Jake is my boyfriend and Scott is my second boyfriend. Hilarious!
The other day I was outside Jake’s house and we saw a big bird swoop down and steal a chick (sort of a bigger chick, but not full-size) and take it away to go eat it. The little chick was screaming in the claws of the big bird and all the other chickens were screaming. It was kind of horrifying. But, c’est la vie!
I have embraced the “water method” when using the toilet for one reason: it takes way too much water to flush toilet paper. Seriously. I am just not willing to waste all that water trying to flush the (pink!) toilet paper when I could just as easily use water to clean myself and not even flush at all! Well, half the time :).
Christmas Eve (Wednesday), we go back to Conakry in the afternoon and spend all of Christmas Day there. We plan to get cell phones and do some shopping and have a Christmas party. There has also been talk of renting a boat and going out to one of the islands to swim. We come back Friday morning. On New Year’s Day we have an outing to a nearby waterfall, which should be fun because we can swim there.
Site announcements are week 5, which seemed far away in the beginning, but now that we are ending week 2 of training, we are halfway to site announcements and it doesn’t seem far off at all.
Tomorrow we learn to build mud stoves and have half a day of language. I want to get in as many language hours as possible because as I said before, I am not doing well on the language front. We are going to start a study group a few nights a week and both Danielle and Scott have agreed to some private tutoring for me.
Also, my toothbrush has not been a subject of discussion past the first couple of days. I have had nothing stolen. Last night, though, someone stole Danielle’s purse, which she had over her shoulder walking to Chey Vicky (a bar popular amongst PCVs/PCTs). She didn’t have much in it, but it brought the whole thing home. Also, someone stole a pair of pants and a shirt from Sajay by “fishing” through his window. Oh and at the beach bar in Conakry, someone jacked Jason’s digital SLR camera, which is the most valuable thing to have been stolen and Sajay’s football.
Last night I had a Mefloquine dream (the malaria meds give me very long, varied, vivid dreams and is my only side effect and I don’t mind it at all!) that I was working on the new Batman movie and Christian Bale was my boyfriend. NICE. But then Ben and I were driving around in the Batmobile and pushing all the buttons. He is the first stagiare to end up in one of my dreams, which I guess isn’t that shocking since I see him a lot as he is one of the three in my language class. I guess Jason is the only one I see more, as he is in my language class and also in my tech sessions (he is AgFo).
AgFo does all the cool stuff. We are the only ones actually doing the things we will do at site: creating a pepiniere with school kids, making a compost pit, growing gardens (we each have our own individual 7x3 foot plot – piment and aubergines), going on field trips (to a defunct diamond mine where people still dig for diamonds by hand and occasionally find some!), building mud stoves, making jam, making solar dryers…AgFo rules!
The Forecariah marche does not have the same stuff as the one in Conakry. Basically, the vegetables you can find are piment (peppers), potatoes, cucumber, onion and garlic (and apparently tomato but I have only seen it served, not sold). So basically my diet revolves around those items. My typical meals: a fresh potato salad (potato, onion, egg, cucumber in mayo), a frite (French fries, onion, egg), black eyed peas and rice (cooked with onion, garlic, piment and spices), potato stew (not sure what all was in this but it was mainly potato and tasty!), and egg sandwiches from the café (French bread, frommage – laughing cow -, onion and egg and sometimes ketchup). For breakfast it is always French bread and one of the following: tasteless, nonrefrigerated margarine, frommage, or peanut butter and honey. I would say my fave of those would have to be peanut butter and honey. Also, I have yet to be served spaghetti, which kind of shocks me because it is so easy to make with a tomato paste and garlic sauce. Who knows.
On Thursdays we have a catered lunch from a restaurant 100k away and it is always good and varied: cucumber and tomato slices, veggies, rice and sauce, beans, bread, etc… I load up on the sweet potatoes, peas, carrots, etc… that come with that meal to get myself some variety and nutrients.
But I would have to say my favorite meal at home is the frite (I should invest in some ketchup to have with it) and favorite meal out (depending on the day) is either the egg sandwich or bean sandwich (when it doesn’t have mashed up fish in it). Both of which can be found at the intersection (Carrefour) close to the Bureau. Although we have to ask the bean lady to be out for lunch the day before, but she has obliged!
I am not a fan of rice and sauce for the most part, mostly because the sauce always has mashed up fish in it which I can taste and do not like. The leaf sauce would be good if they would just leave it at that: leaf sauce sans mashed up fish. I can’t wait to try some Moringa leaf sauce (super healthy!).
Anyway I’m beat and have a long day ahead of me in the morning so, a tout l’heure!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Made it to Forecariah
It is hot as balls in Forecariah. Outside it wasn’t so bad, but in my room I am just dripping sweat not even moving. It is way hotter than Conakry and not just because we had air conditioning some places there. Guess I will have to take a second bucket bath in the morning before heading to training at 8.
My host family is really awesome. There is mama, grandma, aunt Oumou and my sisters Fatim, Yari and Mamadaba (I think). Fatim also has a 1 year and 5 month old son, Mohammed. Fatim is 19, Yari is 16 and Mamadaba can’t be more than 10. EDIT: As it turns out, Mamadaba is mama (Fatou’s) cousin.
Both Fatim and Yari are educated and speak English, in addition to French and Susu. I think mama and Oumou also speak French, but I am not sure. For dinner, mama made me French fries with a fried egg and onions. It was tasty but greasy.
I had my first experience with the pit latrine and can I just say that it splashes everywhere. Also, the whole family got a kick out of my electric toothbrush. I’m not sure if it was a bad idea or not to use it during homestay, as they do say not to let people know what you have, but I mean, it’s a toothbrush. Even if it got jacked, I wouldn’t be heartbroken, I’d have my mom send another. I have an analog backup just in case.
Fatim and Yari were the ones who came to the adoption ceremony. I guess because they speak English. Also, I live like practically next to the Bureau, which is our base of operations for training.
Today Yari took me around and we visited some of her friends and walked to the market. We also played cards: Huit Americain and Monnie. Oumou played a few rounds of Huit Americain with us.
I am so tired, but so hot and I don’t know if I’ll get a good night’s sleep tonight or not. There is a lot more to say but I am beat.
My host family is really awesome. There is mama, grandma, aunt Oumou and my sisters Fatim, Yari and Mamadaba (I think). Fatim also has a 1 year and 5 month old son, Mohammed. Fatim is 19, Yari is 16 and Mamadaba can’t be more than 10. EDIT: As it turns out, Mamadaba is mama (Fatou’s) cousin.
Both Fatim and Yari are educated and speak English, in addition to French and Susu. I think mama and Oumou also speak French, but I am not sure. For dinner, mama made me French fries with a fried egg and onions. It was tasty but greasy.
I had my first experience with the pit latrine and can I just say that it splashes everywhere. Also, the whole family got a kick out of my electric toothbrush. I’m not sure if it was a bad idea or not to use it during homestay, as they do say not to let people know what you have, but I mean, it’s a toothbrush. Even if it got jacked, I wouldn’t be heartbroken, I’d have my mom send another. I have an analog backup just in case.
Fatim and Yari were the ones who came to the adoption ceremony. I guess because they speak English. Also, I live like practically next to the Bureau, which is our base of operations for training.
Today Yari took me around and we visited some of her friends and walked to the market. We also played cards: Huit Americain and Monnie. Oumou played a few rounds of Huit Americain with us.
I am so tired, but so hot and I don’t know if I’ll get a good night’s sleep tonight or not. There is a lot more to say but I am beat.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Homestay Tomorrow
Well, this will probably be my last post until Christmas. Tomorrow we head to Forecariah to be adopted by our host families and move into the homes that we will stay in for the next 2 months during training. I am looking forward to having my own room, as living in this "Peace Corps frat house" (as one of us put it) is starting to be a bit draining! We will come back to Conakry for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so I will have internet then. That is also when I will get my cell phone and email out the number. Incoming calls are free so call as much as you want as long as I have service! The volunteers said about 85% of them have rezzo (service) at their site.
Today our CD Dan opened up his pool to all of us and we went swimming. We kept spinning around in the water saying, "Peace Corps is so hard!" When everyone at home sees pics they will think all we do here is party. But just know that is not the case! The next two months we will train from 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday, with additional assignments and activities after 5 and on Saturday mornings.
AgFo is a small group, just six of us: me, Jessica, Danyelle, Jason, Chris-Heijn and Ian. You can find blogs for Jessica, Ian and Chris-Heijn on the right sidebar (as of right now). Some of our training activities include planting and maintaining a 30 meter x 30 meter garden, tree and leaf identification, Moringa tree education and working with high school kids in a local school in Forecariah (among many other things!). Engaging the youth in the environmental future of this country is going to be very important. According to two of our volunteer trainers (Ciara and Teale), the older generation in Guinea sees the problems but are just too old to do anything about it. It will be up to us to help get the youth to see it, too.
This morning we went to the marche (market, pronounced mar-chay). I was in Sidiki's group (each volunteer only took 4-5 trainees as it would be WAY too hard for us all to go there together) and Paul, Ben and Ian all bought some traditional African clothes to wear to the adoption tomorrow. Clothes for women are a bit trickier. You really need to go to a tailor to have something made. I really wanted to wear something Guinean to the ceremony but the girls told me women do NOT wear bubus (like a mumu, kinda) unless they are very old and that was really the only thing I felt comfortable buying without trying on or being tailored.
The market was crazy and it was a slow day!! Since today is Tabaski, not many were at the marche, but it is like this crowded "indoor" area with these tiny little walkways that you just have to push your way through. There are all kinds of weird sights and smells and if I ate meat I probably would have been horrified by the meat section. The others were. It was what I was expecting: cuts of meat just sitting out, flies all over them. Stinky!
However it was nice to see that there were plenty of things for me to buy...pasta in packages, tomato paste, peanuts, rice, peppers, carrots, tomatoes, lemons, avocado (YUM AVOCADO!), mustard, ketchup, french bread, eggs, oranges, pineapples, bananas, melons, potatoes, cabbage, lettuce, onions, garlic, peanut butter (fresh, not jarred), spices in little bags (have to ask what they are), flour, peanut oil and lots of stuff we could not identify! However, I did not see beans though Jess told me there are beans there and I must have missed them. She also said my local market will not have as much stuff. I figure I will grow a lot of things in my garden and keep rice, beans, pasta and tomato paste around as a staple food. I hope my local market is also a little more spread out! It was a little bit overwhelming to be in that crush of people in those tiny walkways, dodging unidentifiable puddles on the ground. Sidiki stepped in a puddle and had to wash his feet when we got back. And again, it was a slow day since it is Tabaski!!
Apparently there are also mango and corn seasons. But the mangoes will be free as long as you can shake one off a tree! Oh and the other night at the restaurant I tried some baobob fruit which is chalky but tasty!
Jess taught me how to eat an orange the way a Guinean does, which entails using a paring knife to cut off the outer layer of skin (which took us like 5 min per orange and would take a Guinean woman 10 seconds), then biting off one end, spitting it out and sucking the juice out as you squeeze the orange. Make sure you spit out the seeds! Very fresh.
Oh AND there is popcorn here!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!! Julia (CD Dan's wife who he met when they were serving in Peace Corps) made us some at the pool and the few precious fluffy white crunchies I had were amazing. Oh, popcorn, how I love you.
Well, tonight we are making pizza, pasta salad, upside down pineapple cake and whatever else for dinner. The pizza will be made of bread, homemade sauce and vache (Laughing Cow cheese). I'm excited.
Paul is sitting next to me working on his speech for the adoption ceremony tomorrow with the help of Katya (our retired volunteer from Russia originally). I think he will be really good. All of us are really excited to move into homestay.
SEND ME LETTERS AND PICTURES!! I have none to show my host family and they will think I am an orphan. :)
Well, au revoir! Talk to you again at Christmas!
Today our CD Dan opened up his pool to all of us and we went swimming. We kept spinning around in the water saying, "Peace Corps is so hard!" When everyone at home sees pics they will think all we do here is party. But just know that is not the case! The next two months we will train from 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday, with additional assignments and activities after 5 and on Saturday mornings.
AgFo is a small group, just six of us: me, Jessica, Danyelle, Jason, Chris-Heijn and Ian. You can find blogs for Jessica, Ian and Chris-Heijn on the right sidebar (as of right now). Some of our training activities include planting and maintaining a 30 meter x 30 meter garden, tree and leaf identification, Moringa tree education and working with high school kids in a local school in Forecariah (among many other things!). Engaging the youth in the environmental future of this country is going to be very important. According to two of our volunteer trainers (Ciara and Teale), the older generation in Guinea sees the problems but are just too old to do anything about it. It will be up to us to help get the youth to see it, too.
This morning we went to the marche (market, pronounced mar-chay). I was in Sidiki's group (each volunteer only took 4-5 trainees as it would be WAY too hard for us all to go there together) and Paul, Ben and Ian all bought some traditional African clothes to wear to the adoption tomorrow. Clothes for women are a bit trickier. You really need to go to a tailor to have something made. I really wanted to wear something Guinean to the ceremony but the girls told me women do NOT wear bubus (like a mumu, kinda) unless they are very old and that was really the only thing I felt comfortable buying without trying on or being tailored.
The market was crazy and it was a slow day!! Since today is Tabaski, not many were at the marche, but it is like this crowded "indoor" area with these tiny little walkways that you just have to push your way through. There are all kinds of weird sights and smells and if I ate meat I probably would have been horrified by the meat section. The others were. It was what I was expecting: cuts of meat just sitting out, flies all over them. Stinky!
However it was nice to see that there were plenty of things for me to buy...pasta in packages, tomato paste, peanuts, rice, peppers, carrots, tomatoes, lemons, avocado (YUM AVOCADO!), mustard, ketchup, french bread, eggs, oranges, pineapples, bananas, melons, potatoes, cabbage, lettuce, onions, garlic, peanut butter (fresh, not jarred), spices in little bags (have to ask what they are), flour, peanut oil and lots of stuff we could not identify! However, I did not see beans though Jess told me there are beans there and I must have missed them. She also said my local market will not have as much stuff. I figure I will grow a lot of things in my garden and keep rice, beans, pasta and tomato paste around as a staple food. I hope my local market is also a little more spread out! It was a little bit overwhelming to be in that crush of people in those tiny walkways, dodging unidentifiable puddles on the ground. Sidiki stepped in a puddle and had to wash his feet when we got back. And again, it was a slow day since it is Tabaski!!
Apparently there are also mango and corn seasons. But the mangoes will be free as long as you can shake one off a tree! Oh and the other night at the restaurant I tried some baobob fruit which is chalky but tasty!
Jess taught me how to eat an orange the way a Guinean does, which entails using a paring knife to cut off the outer layer of skin (which took us like 5 min per orange and would take a Guinean woman 10 seconds), then biting off one end, spitting it out and sucking the juice out as you squeeze the orange. Make sure you spit out the seeds! Very fresh.
Oh AND there is popcorn here!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!! Julia (CD Dan's wife who he met when they were serving in Peace Corps) made us some at the pool and the few precious fluffy white crunchies I had were amazing. Oh, popcorn, how I love you.
Well, tonight we are making pizza, pasta salad, upside down pineapple cake and whatever else for dinner. The pizza will be made of bread, homemade sauce and vache (Laughing Cow cheese). I'm excited.
Paul is sitting next to me working on his speech for the adoption ceremony tomorrow with the help of Katya (our retired volunteer from Russia originally). I think he will be really good. All of us are really excited to move into homestay.
SEND ME LETTERS AND PICTURES!! I have none to show my host family and they will think I am an orphan. :)
Well, au revoir! Talk to you again at Christmas!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
End of Orientation
Today was our last day of orientation. Tomorrow the staff will be off because it is Tabaski, so we have a free day to spend with the volunteers. We are on our own tomorrow and Sadiki (Adam) said we were going to make pizza with Laughing Cow cheese, which is the only affordable cheese you can readily find here. Also the country director (Dan) invited us all to go swimming in his pool tomorrow, which will be great fun!! We are also going to dip all our mosquito nets in bug poison.
Every day we have had hard boiled eggs and fresh french bread for breakfast which has been nice. We have also had a lot of spaghetti and french fries! Last night we went out to a restaurant called Africana in downtown Conakry. The food was similar to what we have been eating - meats, spaghetti, french fries, salad, bread, etc... We had baobob juice which reminded me and Sadiki of Jamba Juice because it kind of had that chalky taste and is thick. Ciara (AgFo Hoe!) said there must have been condensed milk in it.
The ride there and back was CRAZY! There are NO traffic rules here at all. No stop signs or traffic lights (well, a couple). People play soccer in the middle of the street in traffic. There are people EVERYWHERE and a lot of them want to wave and smile at the fotes (white people). People hang out outside in the streets. Everyone honks to try and get their way. Fender benders are a regular occurrence. There's traffic jams on all the major roads. The drive made it clear that Guinea is a very poor country. No one keeps up buildings and some neighborhoods look like war zones. I think I will be happy to be living in a small village in the bush where it is nice and green, calm and clean.
Today I had my first experience washing my clothes. You basically just do it in this big bucket with a wash board (or without) and this chunky soap you can buy everywhere. Dude, it's hard work. Respect your washing machine. I don't even know if I really even got it clean, but we'll see once it's dry. The nice thing is that we have a dryer here at the house so when it is working (Inshallah) you don't have to hang your clothes out to dry. Today it was working so hopefully my clothes will be dry soon. They are practically soaking wet when you put them in, though, so it takes awhile.
The water goes on and off here, as does the electricity. When the electricity goes off, it comes back on a few minutes later, but the water can be out all day. It has made some of us wish we just had pit latrines here because the toilets get WAY more foul than a pit latrine when there is no water. Although yesterday they put out big water buckets so when there isn't water you pour some into the back of the toilet and flush normally.
I have had a shower every day. A COLD shower. We have hot water, but at the end of a hot, long day a cold shower is very welcome.
Last night we had a dance party. Everyone got out their iPods and played all the new dance songs for the volunteers and put a headlamp on "flash" so it was like a strobe light. Too funny.
Tonight I ate a few small pieces of fish at dinner. It was pretty good (L'pouisson est bonne), but weird to eat meat. I know that I have to start building up my resistance for homestay though because my family will probably make me meat, though Ousmane and Cice (in charge of training and homestay) said they would tell my family that I don't eat meat. I think I might be able to eat fish regularly but goat, pork and beef are not going to work out. Maybe some chicken.
I am so excited to go to homestay on Tuesday because it will be an authentic Guinean experience. We are insulated here at the compound, even though Dan (country director) said that they were sorry that due to budget cuts this stage did not get to have orientation at a more "comfortable" location. Pretty much the whole group said we would rather be here. The only really foul thing has been the toilets when there wasn't water.
I still feel bad/ill sometimes but I have found that when I start to feel that way I just need to have some rehydration salt in my water and I feel much better. I have actually started to like the taste of it, which is bizarre because the first time I tasted it, it was really bad. I actually think putting flavoring in it makes it worse!
All our stage does is laugh. We are a group of people with great humor, though Katie (fellow trainee) said, "Well if we didn't laugh, we'd cry!!"
And my final thought: as we were driving back through Conakry on the way back from the restaurant, I remarked, "Ï'm still not having that 'holy shit I'm in Africa' moment." And Sadiki said, "Just wait until you're taking a shit next to a rhino."
P.S. there are no rhinos in Guinea, but we do have hippos :).
Every day we have had hard boiled eggs and fresh french bread for breakfast which has been nice. We have also had a lot of spaghetti and french fries! Last night we went out to a restaurant called Africana in downtown Conakry. The food was similar to what we have been eating - meats, spaghetti, french fries, salad, bread, etc... We had baobob juice which reminded me and Sadiki of Jamba Juice because it kind of had that chalky taste and is thick. Ciara (AgFo Hoe!) said there must have been condensed milk in it.
The ride there and back was CRAZY! There are NO traffic rules here at all. No stop signs or traffic lights (well, a couple). People play soccer in the middle of the street in traffic. There are people EVERYWHERE and a lot of them want to wave and smile at the fotes (white people). People hang out outside in the streets. Everyone honks to try and get their way. Fender benders are a regular occurrence. There's traffic jams on all the major roads. The drive made it clear that Guinea is a very poor country. No one keeps up buildings and some neighborhoods look like war zones. I think I will be happy to be living in a small village in the bush where it is nice and green, calm and clean.
Today I had my first experience washing my clothes. You basically just do it in this big bucket with a wash board (or without) and this chunky soap you can buy everywhere. Dude, it's hard work. Respect your washing machine. I don't even know if I really even got it clean, but we'll see once it's dry. The nice thing is that we have a dryer here at the house so when it is working (Inshallah) you don't have to hang your clothes out to dry. Today it was working so hopefully my clothes will be dry soon. They are practically soaking wet when you put them in, though, so it takes awhile.
The water goes on and off here, as does the electricity. When the electricity goes off, it comes back on a few minutes later, but the water can be out all day. It has made some of us wish we just had pit latrines here because the toilets get WAY more foul than a pit latrine when there is no water. Although yesterday they put out big water buckets so when there isn't water you pour some into the back of the toilet and flush normally.
I have had a shower every day. A COLD shower. We have hot water, but at the end of a hot, long day a cold shower is very welcome.
Last night we had a dance party. Everyone got out their iPods and played all the new dance songs for the volunteers and put a headlamp on "flash" so it was like a strobe light. Too funny.
Tonight I ate a few small pieces of fish at dinner. It was pretty good (L'pouisson est bonne), but weird to eat meat. I know that I have to start building up my resistance for homestay though because my family will probably make me meat, though Ousmane and Cice (in charge of training and homestay) said they would tell my family that I don't eat meat. I think I might be able to eat fish regularly but goat, pork and beef are not going to work out. Maybe some chicken.
I am so excited to go to homestay on Tuesday because it will be an authentic Guinean experience. We are insulated here at the compound, even though Dan (country director) said that they were sorry that due to budget cuts this stage did not get to have orientation at a more "comfortable" location. Pretty much the whole group said we would rather be here. The only really foul thing has been the toilets when there wasn't water.
I still feel bad/ill sometimes but I have found that when I start to feel that way I just need to have some rehydration salt in my water and I feel much better. I have actually started to like the taste of it, which is bizarre because the first time I tasted it, it was really bad. I actually think putting flavoring in it makes it worse!
All our stage does is laugh. We are a group of people with great humor, though Katie (fellow trainee) said, "Well if we didn't laugh, we'd cry!!"
And my final thought: as we were driving back through Conakry on the way back from the restaurant, I remarked, "Ï'm still not having that 'holy shit I'm in Africa' moment." And Sadiki said, "Just wait until you're taking a shit next to a rhino."
P.S. there are no rhinos in Guinea, but we do have hippos :).
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Moonlight
This evening we ventured to the beach bar, which is located right behind our compound. It was fun and loud (we were making all the noise). Toward the end, a few of us ran out toward the water (but were sure not to touch it as sewage in Guinea dumps directly into the ocean completely untreated). We yelled into the wind and looked at the stars. I stood for awhile, just gazing out on the moonlit water and felt a real sense of peace.
I think I will like it here.
I think I will like it here.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Day Two in Guinea
This is a photograph of my "stage" (the group of trainees I arrived with). Everyone is really awesome and we all have so much in common and the same goals and aspirations and I couldn't have hoped to be placed with a better group of people.
Today was our second full day (it's 7:30 here). As I said before, yesterday I was ill and vomited several times. The only vaccination we have had so far was Yellow Fever. Today we had our medical interviews and the doctor looked at it and said he thought I might have had an allergic reaction to the vaccination, so I have an ice pack and ibuprofen and am to see him in the morning. But today I felt fine, so that's good.
Guinea is beautiful, green and surreal! Our transit house compound is right near the beach and when you go to the roof there is a beautiful view of the ocean and some islands.
Monday is an Islamic holiday called Tabaski (sheep holiday), so our "adoption" ceremony has been moved to Tuesday (when we meet our host families and move into their house). Until then I will be here at the transit house with access to internet so feel free to send emails!
They feed us a combination of Guinean food and American food. Last night we had spaghetti and salad and tonight we had french fries and salad (well, the others had some goat, too, but I abstained). Lunch is the Guinean meal and consists of rice, vegetables, sauce and some meat. I just eat around the meat. I am the only vegetarian in my stage. Today for breakfast we had hard boiled eggs, plantains and
fresh baked french bread. Breakfast is my favorite. I could definitely eat that every day!!
Tonight I am going to go to the beach bar with a bunch of the other PCTs and PCVs to have a beer and be on the beach.
Anyway, there are others waiting to use the computer so I am going to sign off, but just know I am safe and feeling good and excited to start PST (pre-service training) on Tuesday.
I love you all!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
We Made It!
Well, I am sitting in the transit house in Conakry and I can hardly believe it! We made it all in one piece and with everyone's luggage! Unbelievable!
I was worried because when we changed planes in Dakar it was INSANE. I ended up taking control of getting everyone checked in and all their bags loaded even though I felt like I was going to pass out. I am the one with the loudest voice, so...that worked out :).
Jessica, Scott and I were the only ones who had to rearrange our stuff at JFK in order to conform to the airline rules, which I thought was kind of shocking. I was the first one to be told to step aside and figure it out - so I win! But we all got all of our stuff here, even though Jessica's brewer's yeast exploded in poor Scott's bag and got ALL OVER all of his stuff. We tried to clean his bag in the bathroom and did an ok job but it needs a true wash before we go to homestay. He had to wash all of his clothes today to get the yeast out. I felt sooooooo bad. I was going to help him but I was sick all day. In fact, I was the first one to puke in Africa (in the Dakar airport, no less)! I win again!
Actually it was awful. It wasn't until we got off the plane in Dakar that I started to feel ill and then it just progressed and progressed and all told I puked probably 5x today and was told to put the rehydration salt in my water and it is FOUL! So I was also the first one to have to drink the rehydration drink in Guinea! I win AGAIN!
I wasn't able to eat lunch at all today, which was a traditional rice and sauce type meal (I managed to get down a plantain but that was it). However, I did eat dinner, which for me was plain pasta (the others had a meat sauce they said was really good) and salad. I asked Liz, one of the PCVs currently serving, if it was ok for us to eat lettuce because I heard it wasn't. She said as long as you wash it in bleach it's fine. YUM...
Everyone is really awesome and we are all becoming great friends. The drive from the airport to the transit house was surreal (and HOT! - it is really humid here) and we had our first little kid yell "Fote, fote, fote, bye bye!" We all laughed but I know being called fote (white person or foreigner) will get old fast.
The transit house pretty much insulates us from the real Guinea. It's like being at a hostel and it's a compound with guards and tall walls and barbed wire to keep us safe. I don't know how I ended up being the only girl in a room with 7 dudes. But it's cool. We did venture off the compound with a couple of the PCVs to go to a store right across the street to buy laundry detergent. It cost 600 Guinean francs which is like 5 cents. But you use the whole packet for one "load". The store had cold sodas, laughing cow cheese and candy among other things.
We had an orientation today but for the most part we had time to ourselves to rest, deal with our bags and talk to the PCVs here to train us for the first couple of weeks. Tomorrow breakfast is at 8 (in the future it will be 7) and then we have a full day of sessions with plans for an early dinner (5ish) so we can go to the beach bar to watch the sunset over the ocean.
So, aside from being really ill, dizzy and exhausted all day, things went just fine! I am confident that when I wake up in the morning I will feel fine, as I am already feeling pretty good. As far as I know, we stay at the transit house until Monday morning, when we go to Forecariah to be adopted by our host families for homestay.
Right now I think my biggest apprehensions are language and figuring out my way around. All in due time.
I love you all and want to once again say thanks for all the support. Send me letters!!
I was worried because when we changed planes in Dakar it was INSANE. I ended up taking control of getting everyone checked in and all their bags loaded even though I felt like I was going to pass out. I am the one with the loudest voice, so...that worked out :).
Jessica, Scott and I were the only ones who had to rearrange our stuff at JFK in order to conform to the airline rules, which I thought was kind of shocking. I was the first one to be told to step aside and figure it out - so I win! But we all got all of our stuff here, even though Jessica's brewer's yeast exploded in poor Scott's bag and got ALL OVER all of his stuff. We tried to clean his bag in the bathroom and did an ok job but it needs a true wash before we go to homestay. He had to wash all of his clothes today to get the yeast out. I felt sooooooo bad. I was going to help him but I was sick all day. In fact, I was the first one to puke in Africa (in the Dakar airport, no less)! I win again!
Actually it was awful. It wasn't until we got off the plane in Dakar that I started to feel ill and then it just progressed and progressed and all told I puked probably 5x today and was told to put the rehydration salt in my water and it is FOUL! So I was also the first one to have to drink the rehydration drink in Guinea! I win AGAIN!
I wasn't able to eat lunch at all today, which was a traditional rice and sauce type meal (I managed to get down a plantain but that was it). However, I did eat dinner, which for me was plain pasta (the others had a meat sauce they said was really good) and salad. I asked Liz, one of the PCVs currently serving, if it was ok for us to eat lettuce because I heard it wasn't. She said as long as you wash it in bleach it's fine. YUM...
Everyone is really awesome and we are all becoming great friends. The drive from the airport to the transit house was surreal (and HOT! - it is really humid here) and we had our first little kid yell "Fote, fote, fote, bye bye!" We all laughed but I know being called fote (white person or foreigner) will get old fast.
The transit house pretty much insulates us from the real Guinea. It's like being at a hostel and it's a compound with guards and tall walls and barbed wire to keep us safe. I don't know how I ended up being the only girl in a room with 7 dudes. But it's cool. We did venture off the compound with a couple of the PCVs to go to a store right across the street to buy laundry detergent. It cost 600 Guinean francs which is like 5 cents. But you use the whole packet for one "load". The store had cold sodas, laughing cow cheese and candy among other things.
We had an orientation today but for the most part we had time to ourselves to rest, deal with our bags and talk to the PCVs here to train us for the first couple of weeks. Tomorrow breakfast is at 8 (in the future it will be 7) and then we have a full day of sessions with plans for an early dinner (5ish) so we can go to the beach bar to watch the sunset over the ocean.
So, aside from being really ill, dizzy and exhausted all day, things went just fine! I am confident that when I wake up in the morning I will feel fine, as I am already feeling pretty good. As far as I know, we stay at the transit house until Monday morning, when we go to Forecariah to be adopted by our host families for homestay.
Right now I think my biggest apprehensions are language and figuring out my way around. All in due time.
I love you all and want to once again say thanks for all the support. Send me letters!!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Off to Stage in the Morning...
Well, it still doesn't seem quite real. I remarked today that I am at the point I should have been at a week ago. Yeah.
I am definitely going to be the one hauling around the most junk. I mean, it's pretty epic. I ended up with a large internal frame camping pack and a large rolling duffel bag (both just slightly under 50 lbs. each), and then my pilot-case type carry-on and backpack. I guess the only thing "extra" is the pilot case, but yeah.
Too much stuff. If I had another week I probably could have pared it down a lot but...let's just hope the Universe is on my side and gets all my stuff to Guinea safely. I definitely stressed too much about packing.
Anyway, I have to be up in about 4 hours to catch my flight to Philly, but wanted to have one last post from CA before I left. It doesn't seem real to be saying goodbye to my friends and family. I have been under such stress the last few weeks, so much so that I haven't really been able to feel apprehension, excitement, sadness, etc... Really all I have felt is stress and a sense of urgency. And am leaving my mom with more stress (as I did not do a very good job of getting rid of all my junk). I definitely think I needed another week.
But, c'est la vie!
See you in Guinea!
I am definitely going to be the one hauling around the most junk. I mean, it's pretty epic. I ended up with a large internal frame camping pack and a large rolling duffel bag (both just slightly under 50 lbs. each), and then my pilot-case type carry-on and backpack. I guess the only thing "extra" is the pilot case, but yeah.
Too much stuff. If I had another week I probably could have pared it down a lot but...let's just hope the Universe is on my side and gets all my stuff to Guinea safely. I definitely stressed too much about packing.
Anyway, I have to be up in about 4 hours to catch my flight to Philly, but wanted to have one last post from CA before I left. It doesn't seem real to be saying goodbye to my friends and family. I have been under such stress the last few weeks, so much so that I haven't really been able to feel apprehension, excitement, sadness, etc... Really all I have felt is stress and a sense of urgency. And am leaving my mom with more stress (as I did not do a very good job of getting rid of all my junk). I definitely think I needed another week.
But, c'est la vie!
See you in Guinea!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
2 Days til Stage
I got up at 7:15 this morning because my stomach was churning and I couldn't sleep. This is odd for me, as I have been accustomed to a 9:45 rising for the last few weeks.
Last night I called my mom and asked if she could come up to help me today. My friend is coming around 10 or 11 to help me with my bed and take it to my mom's place. Then she is going to follow me back because I need help. Mostly I just want her to clean my room/bathroom for the girl moving in. And maybe help me run some stuff over to Goodwill. And decide to bring or leave a few more things.
My bags are really pushing the limits. They recommend carrying 35 lbs. in my camping pack and it's definitely getting up to 50 lbs. I will probably try to leave it in the duffel until we get to Africa. I am going to be just under the airline limits on both bags, and way over PC's limits on both size and weight. I don't care! I've done my best to narrow it down and I just can't narrow down any more!
I am carrying on my usual pilot case type carry-on and it will have my stuff for staging (clothes, toiletries) and whatever food I can stuff in it. Then my backpack, which has all my books and paperwork, my laptop and my Alphasmart. It really may be too much stuff. But I just can't deal with trying to narrow it down more. I will just have to suffer through dragging it everywhere. Once I am at site I bet I will be glad to have everything.
So I have an insane amount of things to do today and I'm glad my mom is going to come help me. I'm supposed to have a little get-together tonight but I don't know if it will happen. I might feel better if I just got everything out of my apartment and finished that out, spent some time in Long Beach with Ricardo and Evangeline and slept at my mom's place. That way in the morning I can just deal with taking things to Goodwill and moving the keeper stuff into the guest room closet and have a leisurely last evening on the couch.
Ugh. I can't stop over-thinking. Any prospective volunteers reading this, don't underestimate how much time you need to prepare. Go hard, go early.
Last night I called my mom and asked if she could come up to help me today. My friend is coming around 10 or 11 to help me with my bed and take it to my mom's place. Then she is going to follow me back because I need help. Mostly I just want her to clean my room/bathroom for the girl moving in. And maybe help me run some stuff over to Goodwill. And decide to bring or leave a few more things.
My bags are really pushing the limits. They recommend carrying 35 lbs. in my camping pack and it's definitely getting up to 50 lbs. I will probably try to leave it in the duffel until we get to Africa. I am going to be just under the airline limits on both bags, and way over PC's limits on both size and weight. I don't care! I've done my best to narrow it down and I just can't narrow down any more!
I am carrying on my usual pilot case type carry-on and it will have my stuff for staging (clothes, toiletries) and whatever food I can stuff in it. Then my backpack, which has all my books and paperwork, my laptop and my Alphasmart. It really may be too much stuff. But I just can't deal with trying to narrow it down more. I will just have to suffer through dragging it everywhere. Once I am at site I bet I will be glad to have everything.
So I have an insane amount of things to do today and I'm glad my mom is going to come help me. I'm supposed to have a little get-together tonight but I don't know if it will happen. I might feel better if I just got everything out of my apartment and finished that out, spent some time in Long Beach with Ricardo and Evangeline and slept at my mom's place. That way in the morning I can just deal with taking things to Goodwill and moving the keeper stuff into the guest room closet and have a leisurely last evening on the couch.
Ugh. I can't stop over-thinking. Any prospective volunteers reading this, don't underestimate how much time you need to prepare. Go hard, go early.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
6 Days To Go
So, I am not ready. 6 days to go. Not ready. I ALMOST have my iMac ready to give to the guy buying it from me, but I have had major computer crises in the last couple of days. Trying to figure out how to merge all my iTunes and iPhoto files is a nightmare. And there is like NO space to work with on this laptop. It has an 80 GB hard drive which is 85% filled with applications.
Also, I can't get my big files off my iMac. That's really all I have left to get off of it but my stupid hard drives are doing that stupid thing where they won't copy any files over 5 GB. And I can't remember how to reformat it so that it will! ARGH!!! On top of that my optical (CD/DVD) drive broke and will take a week to repair (but thanking my lucky stars I invested in AppleCare so it will be free). So basically I have to give it to the guy I am selling it to without reformatting and giving a clean install (so who knows how much of my info is still on there, though I did try to manually clean it out) and then HE has to take it to the Apple Store and have it repaired. But the good news for him is that the machine is covered under AppleCare until August 2010.
Stress. Seriously.
Also, I am pretty much out of money. Which is the other reason why I need to get these last stupid files off this stupid computer so I can get paid for it and have some freakin' money again.
Dude, I am really feeling the pressure right now. It's like nothing is going right. I have to have lunch with my old boss at 1, and then I'm going to Best Buy to get ANOTHER hard drive (I have, like, 10, no exaggeration) and try to get a Geek Squad guy to tell me how to make it copy huge files. And pray that I can finally be done with the computer fiasco tonight.
I checked the U-Haul website and they want to charge me like $150 for the smallest truck! All I need it for is to move my bed to my mom's place. The freakin' bed only cost like $200!! So I asked a friend with a truck if he could help me out this weekend so we'll see what happens. He has already helped me move like 3 times and I feel bad asking him again but I just DON'T have that much money to spend moving a bed.
My packing is also a disaster.
I have no idea how I am going to finish everything in 6 days. I might have to make my mom come up here and help me finish closing this place out. Time is running out.
Also, I can't get my big files off my iMac. That's really all I have left to get off of it but my stupid hard drives are doing that stupid thing where they won't copy any files over 5 GB. And I can't remember how to reformat it so that it will! ARGH!!! On top of that my optical (CD/DVD) drive broke and will take a week to repair (but thanking my lucky stars I invested in AppleCare so it will be free). So basically I have to give it to the guy I am selling it to without reformatting and giving a clean install (so who knows how much of my info is still on there, though I did try to manually clean it out) and then HE has to take it to the Apple Store and have it repaired. But the good news for him is that the machine is covered under AppleCare until August 2010.
Stress. Seriously.
Also, I am pretty much out of money. Which is the other reason why I need to get these last stupid files off this stupid computer so I can get paid for it and have some freakin' money again.
Dude, I am really feeling the pressure right now. It's like nothing is going right. I have to have lunch with my old boss at 1, and then I'm going to Best Buy to get ANOTHER hard drive (I have, like, 10, no exaggeration) and try to get a Geek Squad guy to tell me how to make it copy huge files. And pray that I can finally be done with the computer fiasco tonight.
I checked the U-Haul website and they want to charge me like $150 for the smallest truck! All I need it for is to move my bed to my mom's place. The freakin' bed only cost like $200!! So I asked a friend with a truck if he could help me out this weekend so we'll see what happens. He has already helped me move like 3 times and I feel bad asking him again but I just DON'T have that much money to spend moving a bed.
My packing is also a disaster.
I have no idea how I am going to finish everything in 6 days. I might have to make my mom come up here and help me finish closing this place out. Time is running out.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The Packing Wars Wage On
Packing is super stressful. I would say the weight thing isn't really a problem, it's the size of the bags. One of my bags, my main bag, is 59". We are allowed 107" which puts my second bag allowed at 48". The backpack I bought yesterday is way over 48" fully loaded.
So. Stressful.
When I put 50 lb. of stuff in the big bag, I'm left with hardly anything else. Well, except food. There is really not going to be space for food. Hmmm...
I guess I should stuff my O'Gio backpack totally full (my under-seat carry-on) and see how much stuff that alleviates.
With only 9 days left until I depart for Philly, packing snags are unwelcome. Really unwelcome.
EDIT: Well, after checking the airline's website, I should be fine on size. They allow two 62" bags of 50 lbs each. My bags are about 59" and 55", so I am well within the airline limits. Also, should be fine on weight. So, a little sigh of relief. Considering I still have a list of stuff I still need to procure!! I think I'm going to be ok, though...still not much space for food, but...oh well!
So. Stressful.
When I put 50 lb. of stuff in the big bag, I'm left with hardly anything else. Well, except food. There is really not going to be space for food. Hmmm...
I guess I should stuff my O'Gio backpack totally full (my under-seat carry-on) and see how much stuff that alleviates.
With only 9 days left until I depart for Philly, packing snags are unwelcome. Really unwelcome.
EDIT: Well, after checking the airline's website, I should be fine on size. They allow two 62" bags of 50 lbs each. My bags are about 59" and 55", so I am well within the airline limits. Also, should be fine on weight. So, a little sigh of relief. Considering I still have a list of stuff I still need to procure!! I think I'm going to be ok, though...still not much space for food, but...oh well!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The Epic Mailing Guidelines Post
Guidelines for Mail
I am told that receiving mail and care packages is key to keeping up morale in a successful volunteer. Please write often and send packages as often as is practical. In a place with few comforts, a box of things from home will seem like Christmas any time of year (and no matter how hot it is!).
MY ADDRESS:
Dorian [you know my last name], PCT (PCV after February 6, 2009)
Corps de la Paix Americain
BP 1927
Conakry, Guinea
WEST AFRICA
The way mail works in Guinea is that the only place that actually has a mail system is the capital, Conakry. This is where our PC headquarters is located. All mail should be delivered to PC HQ, and then they do a monthly mail run out to my site to give me everything I have received. During training (12/4/08 – 2/6/09), I may receive mail more frequently.
Something you send could take up to six weeks to actually get to me, and outgoing mail is no better. But PLEASE send letters and packages as often as possible. They will keep up my morale!
Anything that will arrive after February 6, 2009 should say “PCV” (Peace Corps Volunteer) rather than “PCT” (Peace Corps Trainee) after my name.
LETTERS:
When you send letters, number them clearly at the top and put the date. Also, make a photocopy of the letter before you send it in case any get lost in the mail, so we will still have it if it never gets here.
Good things to send with letters are photos (especially of you and your kids, and my cat [Susan!]), comics, and news clippings. NEWS ITEMS will be especially important, as I will have almost no access to news from the US (I will need to know how Barack is doing!!). Due to budget cuts, Peace Corps recently canceled the Newsweek subscriptions they have provided to volunteers since the beginning of the Corps. Do not send money or anything valuable as oftentimes the edges of letters will be clipped to see if there is anything of value inside.
If you’re sending a postcard, put it in an envelope. The pretty pictures are likely to end up posted on some Guinean’s wall instead of mine.
Be sure to write “AIR MAIL” and “PAR AVION” on the envelope.
PACKAGES:
1. Print the address label from a computer if possible to make it official-looking. I have read that packages with labels printed by hand have not made it to their destination.
2. Insure the package, even if it’s just granola bars. One volunteer kept track of his packages and received 100% of those that were insured and only 56% of uninsured packages. Write “INSURED” and “ASSURANCE” (French) on the outside. Also write “AIR MAIL” and “PAR AVION” on the box.
3. Number and date your packages so I know I am receiving them.
4. If there is something super-important you really want me to get, put it inside an empty tampon box – apparently no one will touch it.
5. Mail is less likely to be tampered with if it’s addressed in red ink.
6. It’s also less likely to be tampered with if you draw crosses and write religious phrases on it (in French) such as “Dieu regardez-vous” or “Dieu merci”.
7. Please tape the box up really, really well after you seal it so no one can easily reach in and steal stuff.
8. If sending food, please wrap and double wrap in plastic bags (ziplocs preferably, since I can reuse them) to avoid rats and other wonderful creatures from sharing in on my treats.
9. You will also be required to fill out customs declaration form PS Form 2976-A. You can complete this form at the post office or online before you ship at https://webapps.usps.com/customsforms/. Indicate all contents as “Used” on the customs form to reduce the risk of theft.
10. On the Customs form, when listing the contents make them lame. For example, tell them you are sending me pencils or education materials and not expensive chocolate or soccer balls. Just downplay everything. If you’re sending books, magazines, DVDs, things like that, you can mark it as “educational materials” (I would say you could even mark that for stuff like soccer balls and stuff for kids), as it is less likely to be tampered with.
11. If what you’re sending is relatively heavy, I suggest sending with the post office’s Priority Mail flat rate international box (same as the domestic box), as the weight restriction is 20 pounds as long as the stuff fits in the box. The rate is $38.95 for the regular box (11" x 8.5" x 5.5") and $49.95 for the larger box (12” x 12” x 6”). This rate is only good for parcels, so DO NOT include a letter inside as you may be charged the letter rate, not package rate, for the whole package. If you want to include a letter, it is suggested that you tape it underneath the address label or to the inside page of a magazine so it is unlikely to be detected. If what you are sending is light, you may be able to pay less than the flat rate. Ask your local post office.
12. If you wish to send money, the larger the bill, the better the exchange rate I will get. To send it most safely, I would put it inside something boring in the empty tampon box or tape it to the inside of a magazine page. But please note that this is risky. A better way to send money is to send to my mom (68 Pomona Ave. Long Beach, CA 90803) to deposit into my bank account, which I will have limited access to. You can make the check out to me, as she will have Power of Attorney to deal with my financial matters.
13. There is no method of disposing of trash or recyclables where I will be going (other than burning or throwing on the ground), so please minimize packaging or put things in containers I can reuse, like Ziploc bags, jars or airtight plastic containers/Tupperware.
Be aware that you can do all of this stuff online at www.usps.com, including ordering free flat rate boxes, printing postage, and scheduling a pickup. In fact, you get a 5% discount on the shipping fee if you do it online.
WHAT TO SEND:
I compiled this list based on things I might enjoy and the advice of current and past volunteers.
-AA & AAA batteries (LOTS! – Consumer Reports lists even Costco’s Kirkland Alkaline
batteries as good ones!)
-Photos (of you with your kids, you with pets, places/vacations, etc…)
-Magazines/Newspapers (People, Time, National Geographic, Newsweek, etc…)
-Secret or Degree Clinical Strength Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant
-Skin Trip body lotion (Susan knows where to get this!)
-Aveeno Positively Radiant Face Wash & Moisturizer
-Phos-Flur Fluoride Mouthwash
-Listerine
-Q-tips
-Crossword puzzles
-Duct tape
-A jump drive with music and podcasts (even TV shows and movies!) on it (if from iTunes,
include your username and password so I can authorize use)
-Movies/TV Shows on DVD (when new LOST seasons come out, it should be your first
purchase!!)
-Music on CD
-Jigsaw Puzzles! (Linda I think I am ready to tackle The Seventies puzzle!)
-Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Soap (Trader Joe’s sells this cheap) or other, fancy soap
-Hair shampoo/conditioner (weak shampoo is available in-country, but conditioner is elusive –
try to make it something natural/herbal, as scents can attract more mosquitoes!)
-Shaving cream (Barbasol is fine)
-Foot care items (my feet will get trashed!)
-Cotton underwear (NOT WHITE, size 7 – hand washing with harsh soap wears them out quick)
-Hair clips/claws/ties
-Stuff kids would like: SOCCER BALLS (I will have a bike pump to inflate it), stickers,
glue, tape, kids safety scissors, colored pencils/pencil sharpener, paper, picture
books, inflatable beach ball world globe, etc…
-Pictures drawn by your kids for me to hang on my hut wall
-Books (good novels will be appreciated)
-Hand sanitizer
-Vegetable/tree/flower seeds (make sure it’s something that does well in Guinea’s climate)
-Indian pouch meals, especially with paneer cheese (International Foods aisle)
-Fantastic Foods Vegetarian Sloppy Joe’s Mix (comes in a red box near the Pasta-Roni, but I feel
like you might only be able to find this someplace like Whole Foods – MOM!)
-Macaroni & cheese (EZ Mac, Velveeta Shells & Cheese, etc…)
-Dried fruit/fruit leather
-Dried veggies (http://www.harmonyhousefoods.com/Dehydrated-Vegetables_c_1.html)
-Dried faux-meat (http://www.harmonyhousefoods.com/TVP-Meat-Substitute_c_6.html)
-Dehydrated vegetable soup (http://www.harmonyhousefoods.com/Vegan-Soup-Blends_c_7.html)
-In fact, just check out www.harmonyhousefoods.com in general!
-Soy protein powder
-BeneFiber or other fiber supplement
-Supplements: Acidophilus, iron, Echinacea, etc…
-Peanut M&M’s and other candies and chocolate
-Sugar-free gum (Orbit Spearmint is my fave)
-Hot cocoa mix
-Nuts/Trail Mix (no peanuts please! there will be lots there)
-Edible Seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, etc…)
-Emergen-C (vitamin section), Crystal Light, or other drink mix (preferably sugar-free)
-Mrs. Renfro’s Salsa (BOB!!!)
-Jiffy Pop popcorn (you know the kind you put on your stove and it pops into this big bubble)
-Granola bars
-Energy/protein bars
-Nutella
-Non-refrigerated cheese (Velveeta, parmesan, Hickory Farms, www.barryfarm.com sells
powdered cheese to make sauces)
-Non-perishable condiment packets (Taco Bell sauces, ketchup, mustard, soy sauce, crushed
red pepper, etc..)
-Spices (garlic salt, cayenne pepper, cumin, taco seasoning, pesto sauce, Ranch powder, etc…)
-Graham cracker and Oreo pie crusts
-'Just add water' cookie mixes
-Green tea (decaf please!)
-Any kind of food that will keep and is easy to prepare (i.e. add water, milk, eggs, oil)
Please think of this list as guidelines and suggestions and send anything you think will make it up to 6 weeks en route, as I’m sure whatever you send will be MUCH APPRECIATED! Also, check my blog for any special requests!
EMAIL/INTERNET:
Please send ALL email messages to dorianconnelley@gmail.com. I will probably only have enough internet access to check one box, so make sure whatever you send goes here. You can also read my blog at http://dorianinafrica.blogspot.com.
Please know that I will do my best to answer personal emails, but my internet access will be spotty and limited (most likely, I will only have access to internet when I make it into the capital, Conakry), so my replies will likely be few and far between. Please feel free to share the blog with any other family or friends as well. I will post stories, pictures, package requests, times I will be in phone service, etc…
PHONE:
Sometime in December, I will be getting a cell phone. I believe it will be free for me to receive calls, but expensive to call out. In all likelihood, I will not have service all the time. Watch the blog for dates and times that I will be in a service area.
You can buy phone cards to call or use Skype on your computer, which will allow you to call international cell phones. Go to www.Skype.com and sign up for a free account. You will be using your computer/internet connection to make the call (so you will need a microphone and speakers). It will cost about $.20/min. You put a certain amount of money on there and it will debit from that each time you call.
I look forward to hearing from all of you happily and often! Thanks so much for being such a supportive family!
I am told that receiving mail and care packages is key to keeping up morale in a successful volunteer. Please write often and send packages as often as is practical. In a place with few comforts, a box of things from home will seem like Christmas any time of year (and no matter how hot it is!).
MY ADDRESS:
Dorian [you know my last name], PCT (PCV after February 6, 2009)
Corps de la Paix Americain
BP 1927
Conakry, Guinea
WEST AFRICA
The way mail works in Guinea is that the only place that actually has a mail system is the capital, Conakry. This is where our PC headquarters is located. All mail should be delivered to PC HQ, and then they do a monthly mail run out to my site to give me everything I have received. During training (12/4/08 – 2/6/09), I may receive mail more frequently.
Something you send could take up to six weeks to actually get to me, and outgoing mail is no better. But PLEASE send letters and packages as often as possible. They will keep up my morale!
Anything that will arrive after February 6, 2009 should say “PCV” (Peace Corps Volunteer) rather than “PCT” (Peace Corps Trainee) after my name.
LETTERS:
When you send letters, number them clearly at the top and put the date. Also, make a photocopy of the letter before you send it in case any get lost in the mail, so we will still have it if it never gets here.
Good things to send with letters are photos (especially of you and your kids, and my cat [Susan!]), comics, and news clippings. NEWS ITEMS will be especially important, as I will have almost no access to news from the US (I will need to know how Barack is doing!!). Due to budget cuts, Peace Corps recently canceled the Newsweek subscriptions they have provided to volunteers since the beginning of the Corps. Do not send money or anything valuable as oftentimes the edges of letters will be clipped to see if there is anything of value inside.
If you’re sending a postcard, put it in an envelope. The pretty pictures are likely to end up posted on some Guinean’s wall instead of mine.
Be sure to write “AIR MAIL” and “PAR AVION” on the envelope.
PACKAGES:
1. Print the address label from a computer if possible to make it official-looking. I have read that packages with labels printed by hand have not made it to their destination.
2. Insure the package, even if it’s just granola bars. One volunteer kept track of his packages and received 100% of those that were insured and only 56% of uninsured packages. Write “INSURED” and “ASSURANCE” (French) on the outside. Also write “AIR MAIL” and “PAR AVION” on the box.
3. Number and date your packages so I know I am receiving them.
4. If there is something super-important you really want me to get, put it inside an empty tampon box – apparently no one will touch it.
5. Mail is less likely to be tampered with if it’s addressed in red ink.
6. It’s also less likely to be tampered with if you draw crosses and write religious phrases on it (in French) such as “Dieu regardez-vous” or “Dieu merci”.
7. Please tape the box up really, really well after you seal it so no one can easily reach in and steal stuff.
8. If sending food, please wrap and double wrap in plastic bags (ziplocs preferably, since I can reuse them) to avoid rats and other wonderful creatures from sharing in on my treats.
9. You will also be required to fill out customs declaration form PS Form 2976-A. You can complete this form at the post office or online before you ship at https://webapps.usps.com/customsforms/. Indicate all contents as “Used” on the customs form to reduce the risk of theft.
10. On the Customs form, when listing the contents make them lame. For example, tell them you are sending me pencils or education materials and not expensive chocolate or soccer balls. Just downplay everything. If you’re sending books, magazines, DVDs, things like that, you can mark it as “educational materials” (I would say you could even mark that for stuff like soccer balls and stuff for kids), as it is less likely to be tampered with.
11. If what you’re sending is relatively heavy, I suggest sending with the post office’s Priority Mail flat rate international box (same as the domestic box), as the weight restriction is 20 pounds as long as the stuff fits in the box. The rate is $38.95 for the regular box (11" x 8.5" x 5.5") and $49.95 for the larger box (12” x 12” x 6”). This rate is only good for parcels, so DO NOT include a letter inside as you may be charged the letter rate, not package rate, for the whole package. If you want to include a letter, it is suggested that you tape it underneath the address label or to the inside page of a magazine so it is unlikely to be detected. If what you are sending is light, you may be able to pay less than the flat rate. Ask your local post office.
12. If you wish to send money, the larger the bill, the better the exchange rate I will get. To send it most safely, I would put it inside something boring in the empty tampon box or tape it to the inside of a magazine page. But please note that this is risky. A better way to send money is to send to my mom (68 Pomona Ave. Long Beach, CA 90803) to deposit into my bank account, which I will have limited access to. You can make the check out to me, as she will have Power of Attorney to deal with my financial matters.
13. There is no method of disposing of trash or recyclables where I will be going (other than burning or throwing on the ground), so please minimize packaging or put things in containers I can reuse, like Ziploc bags, jars or airtight plastic containers/Tupperware.
Be aware that you can do all of this stuff online at www.usps.com, including ordering free flat rate boxes, printing postage, and scheduling a pickup. In fact, you get a 5% discount on the shipping fee if you do it online.
WHAT TO SEND:
I compiled this list based on things I might enjoy and the advice of current and past volunteers.
-AA & AAA batteries (LOTS! – Consumer Reports lists even Costco’s Kirkland Alkaline
batteries as good ones!)
-Photos (of you with your kids, you with pets, places/vacations, etc…)
-Magazines/Newspapers (People, Time, National Geographic, Newsweek, etc…)
-Secret or Degree Clinical Strength Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant
-Skin Trip body lotion (Susan knows where to get this!)
-Aveeno Positively Radiant Face Wash & Moisturizer
-Phos-Flur Fluoride Mouthwash
-Listerine
-Q-tips
-Crossword puzzles
-Duct tape
-A jump drive with music and podcasts (even TV shows and movies!) on it (if from iTunes,
include your username and password so I can authorize use)
-Movies/TV Shows on DVD (when new LOST seasons come out, it should be your first
purchase!!)
-Music on CD
-Jigsaw Puzzles! (Linda I think I am ready to tackle The Seventies puzzle!)
-Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Soap (Trader Joe’s sells this cheap) or other, fancy soap
-Hair shampoo/conditioner (weak shampoo is available in-country, but conditioner is elusive –
try to make it something natural/herbal, as scents can attract more mosquitoes!)
-Shaving cream (Barbasol is fine)
-Foot care items (my feet will get trashed!)
-Cotton underwear (NOT WHITE, size 7 – hand washing with harsh soap wears them out quick)
-Hair clips/claws/ties
-Stuff kids would like: SOCCER BALLS (I will have a bike pump to inflate it), stickers,
glue, tape, kids safety scissors, colored pencils/pencil sharpener, paper, picture
books, inflatable beach ball world globe, etc…
-Pictures drawn by your kids for me to hang on my hut wall
-Books (good novels will be appreciated)
-Hand sanitizer
-Vegetable/tree/flower seeds (make sure it’s something that does well in Guinea’s climate)
-Indian pouch meals, especially with paneer cheese (International Foods aisle)
-Fantastic Foods Vegetarian Sloppy Joe’s Mix (comes in a red box near the Pasta-Roni, but I feel
like you might only be able to find this someplace like Whole Foods – MOM!)
-Macaroni & cheese (EZ Mac, Velveeta Shells & Cheese, etc…)
-Dried fruit/fruit leather
-Dried veggies (http://www.harmonyhousefoods.com/Dehydrated-Vegetables_c_1.html)
-Dried faux-meat (http://www.harmonyhousefoods.com/TVP-Meat-Substitute_c_6.html)
-Dehydrated vegetable soup (http://www.harmonyhousefoods.com/Vegan-Soup-Blends_c_7.html)
-In fact, just check out www.harmonyhousefoods.com in general!
-Soy protein powder
-BeneFiber or other fiber supplement
-Supplements: Acidophilus, iron, Echinacea, etc…
-Peanut M&M’s and other candies and chocolate
-Sugar-free gum (Orbit Spearmint is my fave)
-Hot cocoa mix
-Nuts/Trail Mix (no peanuts please! there will be lots there)
-Edible Seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, etc…)
-Emergen-C (vitamin section), Crystal Light, or other drink mix (preferably sugar-free)
-Mrs. Renfro’s Salsa (BOB!!!)
-Jiffy Pop popcorn (you know the kind you put on your stove and it pops into this big bubble)
-Granola bars
-Energy/protein bars
-Nutella
-Non-refrigerated cheese (Velveeta, parmesan, Hickory Farms, www.barryfarm.com sells
powdered cheese to make sauces)
-Non-perishable condiment packets (Taco Bell sauces, ketchup, mustard, soy sauce, crushed
red pepper, etc..)
-Spices (garlic salt, cayenne pepper, cumin, taco seasoning, pesto sauce, Ranch powder, etc…)
-Graham cracker and Oreo pie crusts
-'Just add water' cookie mixes
-Green tea (decaf please!)
-Any kind of food that will keep and is easy to prepare (i.e. add water, milk, eggs, oil)
Please think of this list as guidelines and suggestions and send anything you think will make it up to 6 weeks en route, as I’m sure whatever you send will be MUCH APPRECIATED! Also, check my blog for any special requests!
EMAIL/INTERNET:
Please send ALL email messages to dorianconnelley@gmail.com. I will probably only have enough internet access to check one box, so make sure whatever you send goes here. You can also read my blog at http://dorianinafrica.blogspot.com.
Please know that I will do my best to answer personal emails, but my internet access will be spotty and limited (most likely, I will only have access to internet when I make it into the capital, Conakry), so my replies will likely be few and far between. Please feel free to share the blog with any other family or friends as well. I will post stories, pictures, package requests, times I will be in phone service, etc…
PHONE:
Sometime in December, I will be getting a cell phone. I believe it will be free for me to receive calls, but expensive to call out. In all likelihood, I will not have service all the time. Watch the blog for dates and times that I will be in a service area.
You can buy phone cards to call or use Skype on your computer, which will allow you to call international cell phones. Go to www.Skype.com and sign up for a free account. You will be using your computer/internet connection to make the call (so you will need a microphone and speakers). It will cost about $.20/min. You put a certain amount of money on there and it will debit from that each time you call.
I look forward to hearing from all of you happily and often! Thanks so much for being such a supportive family!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
2 weeks til Guinea...oh god!
I am aware that this makes me a complete loser, but I keep thinking my cat is still in my apartment. Every time I walk in the door I expect her to come running up to greet me. It's almost like I just want to GO already so I can stop thinking I see her out of the corner of my eye! I know she is doing well at my aunt's and will like it there, but I just can't help missing the hell out of her!!!
I have managed to purchase the bulk of the gear I am planning to buy. I still have to purchase my backpack, the Bug Hut, a digital camera and some toiletries. And some clothes. But that's it. My family has been really great about pitching in on the cost of all of it, which takes a load off of me.
I did a casual test pack/weighing and I think I am going to be fine on weight. I thought it would weigh way more than it did, and it let me breathe the first sigh of relief I have had since being invited 4 weeks ago.
Which brings me to another point: Monday marks exactly 2 weeks until I board the plane for Philly. I want to throw up every time I think about it. I really know no French. Or very, very little. I don't think I could answer a question in a complete sentence. I am not sure if this should be a cause for concern or not.
I have planned an African dinner at the African place in LA, and am waffling about scheduling a going-away party.
Writing my will was also super fun :(.
Still have a million things to take care of, but everything major has worked itself out, so I think god is saying to just shut up and stop worrying. But...that's not going to happen! I think until I have gotten all checked in and boarded the plane for Philly, I will still be in a state of complete disarray.
I have managed to purchase the bulk of the gear I am planning to buy. I still have to purchase my backpack, the Bug Hut, a digital camera and some toiletries. And some clothes. But that's it. My family has been really great about pitching in on the cost of all of it, which takes a load off of me.
I did a casual test pack/weighing and I think I am going to be fine on weight. I thought it would weigh way more than it did, and it let me breathe the first sigh of relief I have had since being invited 4 weeks ago.
Which brings me to another point: Monday marks exactly 2 weeks until I board the plane for Philly. I want to throw up every time I think about it. I really know no French. Or very, very little. I don't think I could answer a question in a complete sentence. I am not sure if this should be a cause for concern or not.
I have planned an African dinner at the African place in LA, and am waffling about scheduling a going-away party.
Writing my will was also super fun :(.
Still have a million things to take care of, but everything major has worked itself out, so I think god is saying to just shut up and stop worrying. But...that's not going to happen! I think until I have gotten all checked in and boarded the plane for Philly, I will still be in a state of complete disarray.
Monday, November 3, 2008
4 Weeks Til Guinea
The morning marks exactly 4 weeks until Day 1 of stage. I am going to be in IL for a week starting Thursday. I am starting to realize how little time I have to get everything squared away. Last night I finally started buying stuff online.
Major stores I need to hit:
-Target
-REI
-Bed, Bath & Beyond
-Petsmart/Petco
I made my final Barry Farm and Harmony House orders, got my Alpasmart, Leatherman, iPod speaker and Macabi Skirts. Now awaiting delivery.
I am waffling over the Bug Hut, but I do really feel like I should bring one. I'm just anticipating all the uses for it and while it seems bulky, I feel like there would be a lot of occasions for use.
I still have to pick out a digital camera and am leaning towards the new Canon PowerShot ELPHs.
Really have to make a decision on a backpack and luggage.
Other things weighing on me are selling both of my computers and purchasing a small iBook. Maybe I'll do some iBook searching tonight...
Tomorrow I am going to go to the African restaurant and make plans for my going-away dinner and have lunch. Also have to drive to Long Beach for a dentist appointment in the morning. And bring all my yard sale stuff.
My last night at home with my cat will be Election Night. Weds we will spend the night at mom's, Thurs we fly to IL and I will spend the night with her at Aunt Sue's and then she will have to start acclimating to that environment. I will miss her so much.
UNDER PRESSURE! Being distracted this last week did not help, either.
C'est la vie.
Major stores I need to hit:
-Target
-REI
-Bed, Bath & Beyond
-Petsmart/Petco
I made my final Barry Farm and Harmony House orders, got my Alpasmart, Leatherman, iPod speaker and Macabi Skirts. Now awaiting delivery.
I am waffling over the Bug Hut, but I do really feel like I should bring one. I'm just anticipating all the uses for it and while it seems bulky, I feel like there would be a lot of occasions for use.
I still have to pick out a digital camera and am leaning towards the new Canon PowerShot ELPHs.
Really have to make a decision on a backpack and luggage.
Other things weighing on me are selling both of my computers and purchasing a small iBook. Maybe I'll do some iBook searching tonight...
Tomorrow I am going to go to the African restaurant and make plans for my going-away dinner and have lunch. Also have to drive to Long Beach for a dentist appointment in the morning. And bring all my yard sale stuff.
My last night at home with my cat will be Election Night. Weds we will spend the night at mom's, Thurs we fly to IL and I will spend the night with her at Aunt Sue's and then she will have to start acclimating to that environment. I will miss her so much.
UNDER PRESSURE! Being distracted this last week did not help, either.
C'est la vie.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Awesome Day
Today was an awesome day. I got an email from my Aunt this morning saying she would love to take care of my cat while I'm gone. My dad made my flight reservation and I made a reservation to bring my cat, so it's all set! I am so relieved to have a safe place to leave my cat while I am gone and be assured she will be waiting for me when I come back.
AND Candice is in to take over my room Dec. 1!! Everything worked out! The major things, anyway. Uh, except we have to go over the hurdle of telling our landlord. I am already knowing she is going to throw a fit. Hopefully Candice's credit is good.
I still have to deal with getting rid of 1/2 my stuff and moving the other 1/2 to my mom's for storage. And do my updated resume and aspiration statement. And learn French.
So...now that that weight is off, the other weight is on!!
I feel that the next LESS THAN six weeks (!!!) are going to be full of turmoil and anticipation.
Today we started an email ring with 9 of the volunteers going in December. We know of one other but don't know her email address, which makes 10 total. We are wondering if our group is going to be the expected 35 or so, or if it will be a much smaller group, probably due to budget cuts. I would say you probably only have contact with 50 - 70% of the people who end up going, so since we know of 10, I bet we will have at least 20.
Things are moving forward.
AND Candice is in to take over my room Dec. 1!! Everything worked out! The major things, anyway. Uh, except we have to go over the hurdle of telling our landlord. I am already knowing she is going to throw a fit. Hopefully Candice's credit is good.
I still have to deal with getting rid of 1/2 my stuff and moving the other 1/2 to my mom's for storage. And do my updated resume and aspiration statement. And learn French.
So...now that that weight is off, the other weight is on!!
I feel that the next LESS THAN six weeks (!!!) are going to be full of turmoil and anticipation.
Today we started an email ring with 9 of the volunteers going in December. We know of one other but don't know her email address, which makes 10 total. We are wondering if our group is going to be the expected 35 or so, or if it will be a much smaller group, probably due to budget cuts. I would say you probably only have contact with 50 - 70% of the people who end up going, so since we know of 10, I bet we will have at least 20.
Things are moving forward.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
And the Preparation Commences
Today I called and accepted my invite. I feel it still hasn't sunk in.
My two biggest worries right now are a) finding someone to take over my room (we have a lease until August 2009); and b) finding a safe place to leave my cat while I am gone (I want her back when I return!)
We haven't really started looking very hard on the roommate front (waiting to hear back from a friend if she wants it), but I am scratching the bottom of the barrel for who can take care of my cat.
I emailed my aunt the other day, but she hasn't responded. She's really my best last hope, so I really hope she says yes!!
Tomorrow I really have to do a first draft of my resume and aspiration statement and go to Kinko's to get my passport photos taken. Once that's out of the way, maybe I'll be able to concentrate. Maybe. :)
My two biggest worries right now are a) finding someone to take over my room (we have a lease until August 2009); and b) finding a safe place to leave my cat while I am gone (I want her back when I return!)
We haven't really started looking very hard on the roommate front (waiting to hear back from a friend if she wants it), but I am scratching the bottom of the barrel for who can take care of my cat.
I emailed my aunt the other day, but she hasn't responded. She's really my best last hope, so I really hope she says yes!!
Tomorrow I really have to do a first draft of my resume and aspiration statement and go to Kinko's to get my passport photos taken. Once that's out of the way, maybe I'll be able to concentrate. Maybe. :)
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Guinea it is!!
The FedEx man came this morning and I have my official invite!! It comes in a big blue folder, not a binder, but hey - it's here!
IT'S GUINEA!!! We stage December 1 (probably Philly??). My recruiter called me today so excited that I was finally invited. She has been so awesome through the whole process and I feel privileged to have had her for a recruiter.
My program is Agriculture and Forestry and I will be an Agroforester! WOOHOO LET'S PLANT SOME TREES!!!
I feel like it still hasn't sunk in. I am staring at my big blue folder and it still hasn't sunk in.
I, in fact, cried a little when I opened the package. Does that make me a pussy? :)
After doing some research yesterday, it appears that the December Guinea program takes Agfo, SED (Small Enterprise Development) and Health (Education comes during the summer). SED and Health train in Forecariah and Agfo trains in Maferinya, so we will be a bit segregated...so, if there really are only 3 Agfo volunteers in this group, Jessica, Danyelle and I will be VERY close!
I think I'm going to throw up. I need some applesauce.
My mind is going in fifty directions all at once and I can't een concentrate enough to read through my materials!!
One more time, WOOHOO!!!!!
IT'S GUINEA!!! We stage December 1 (probably Philly??). My recruiter called me today so excited that I was finally invited. She has been so awesome through the whole process and I feel privileged to have had her for a recruiter.
My program is Agriculture and Forestry and I will be an Agroforester! WOOHOO LET'S PLANT SOME TREES!!!
I feel like it still hasn't sunk in. I am staring at my big blue folder and it still hasn't sunk in.
I, in fact, cried a little when I opened the package. Does that make me a pussy? :)
After doing some research yesterday, it appears that the December Guinea program takes Agfo, SED (Small Enterprise Development) and Health (Education comes during the summer). SED and Health train in Forecariah and Agfo trains in Maferinya, so we will be a bit segregated...so, if there really are only 3 Agfo volunteers in this group, Jessica, Danyelle and I will be VERY close!
I think I'm going to throw up. I need some applesauce.
My mind is going in fifty directions all at once and I can't een concentrate enough to read through my materials!!
One more time, WOOHOO!!!!!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Invited!!
Well, I talked to my PO today and she told me she decided to invite me for December!!! I am on a rollercoaster of emotions right now. I have a MILLION things I need to do. First and foremost, I need to wait for my invitation packet to come via FedEx (hopefully in the next couple of days!), review it, and then decide if I want to accept my invitation.
Barring any major hang-ups, I plan to accept. It is CRAZY to say and CRAZY to think, but I want to do it and I know it will be amazing.
The invitation should be to do Agroforestry in Guinea, staging December 1, but obviously all of that is subject to change until I have the packet in my hand. I say packet, but I've heard it's a huge blue binder.
From the little research I have done, it seems like your primary project is to plant 5000 trees in your 2 years to combat deforestation, but other projects are always up to you, like gardens, nutrition classes, millet grinders, crop diversification, etc... I can deal with planting 5000 trees.
It's really happening now and I can hardly believe it. Can't wait to have that big blue binder in my hands.
Barring any major hang-ups, I plan to accept. It is CRAZY to say and CRAZY to think, but I want to do it and I know it will be amazing.
The invitation should be to do Agroforestry in Guinea, staging December 1, but obviously all of that is subject to change until I have the packet in my hand. I say packet, but I've heard it's a huge blue binder.
From the little research I have done, it seems like your primary project is to plant 5000 trees in your 2 years to combat deforestation, but other projects are always up to you, like gardens, nutrition classes, millet grinders, crop diversification, etc... I can deal with planting 5000 trees.
It's really happening now and I can hardly believe it. Can't wait to have that big blue binder in my hands.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
So now it's not looking like December
Well, my PO said she would be able to make a decision about December by Friday, and that has come and gone, and no toolkit update. So unless something happened like a computer glitch, or she didn't want to submit until Monday or something, it's a no on December. I emailed her asking about 4pm her time yesterday, no response. So...not optimistic.
So I am going to call her Monday and see what the game plan is. If I should keep learning French. If I will still be going to Africa. If I will be going at all!
Basically, this opens me up to take a more long-term job in the meantime. Hopefully something that pays well!! Also takes the pressure off of knowing what's going on with my show.
But still. Major bummer.
So I am going to call her Monday and see what the game plan is. If I should keep learning French. If I will still be going to Africa. If I will be going at all!
Basically, this opens me up to take a more long-term job in the meantime. Hopefully something that pays well!! Also takes the pressure off of knowing what's going on with my show.
But still. Major bummer.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Getting closer to knowing...
Well, I just spoke with my PO. I called because my dad has been asking about me visiting for the holidays and it is about the right time to be buying plane tickets. She said that she will know about December by the end of the week. So if I haven't heard from her by Friday, I will give her a call on Monday to get a final answer.
As far as my TV show goes, it was pitched to two major networks, who both liked it but did not buy it in the room (however they did not turn it down, either). There are three more pitch meeting set up, but no one will hear anything for at least the next 2 weeks as all the executives are in Europe for some TV thing. One of the guys they pitched to said this would be a good show to replace something mid-season that is tanking, as it can be ready to shoot in like 2-3 weeks from greenlight. Since the new season just started, a show could tank in the next 3-4 weeks. TANK, TV, TANK!!! haha...
I am currently unemployed, since the Emmys ended Friday before last. I was hoping the show would sell in the pitch meetings last week so I would have a definite date of employment again, but that has not been the case. Luckily for me, in the awful economy the government has extended unemployment benefits so I will have a few weeks of unemployment insurance I can collect. But that's only about half what I could make in a week if I were actually working, so it's time to look for work!!
As far as my TV show goes, it was pitched to two major networks, who both liked it but did not buy it in the room (however they did not turn it down, either). There are three more pitch meeting set up, but no one will hear anything for at least the next 2 weeks as all the executives are in Europe for some TV thing. One of the guys they pitched to said this would be a good show to replace something mid-season that is tanking, as it can be ready to shoot in like 2-3 weeks from greenlight. Since the new season just started, a show could tank in the next 3-4 weeks. TANK, TV, TANK!!! haha...
I am currently unemployed, since the Emmys ended Friday before last. I was hoping the show would sell in the pitch meetings last week so I would have a definite date of employment again, but that has not been the case. Luckily for me, in the awful economy the government has extended unemployment benefits so I will have a few weeks of unemployment insurance I can collect. But that's only about half what I could make in a week if I were actually working, so it's time to look for work!!
Monday, September 22, 2008
More About Luggage
So now I think this is the backpack I'm going to get. In Palm. It has really good reviews, Eagle Creek is a great brand, and it is small enough (the exact size allowed) to be my carry on (with the detachable daypack as my "personal item").
And it's actually pretty big! I don't see myself using a pack any bigger than this while in-country. So as long as it fits me well, I think this is it!! I am going to get a couple of spare clips and zippers from EC before I go so that in the case of damage I can have it repaired. If I were in the US, I think they repair for life for free. But I wouldn't want to deal with sending/receiving it from Africa, when I could just have it repaired at a tailor if I had the parts.
My first checked bag will still be my big, red Samsonite rolling duffel (which I have never actually used because I tend to travel LIGHT [as in...I haven't checked a bag in years!]). Now the question is what the second bag will be. Something smaller, I think. I'm sure I can fit 50 lbs. of stuff in the Samsonite, so I might get a smaller Eagle Creek rolling duffel for the additional 30 lbs, like this one. It being lightweight is key. Who wants to waste 10 lbs. on the friggin bag???
I think the way I will pack is that all the stuff for staging (and more) will go in the backpack. All the stuff for homestay will go in the smaller duffel and the stuff for site will go in the Samsonite (which they will lock up at the training facility until I move to site). I think this will be a good way to pack and will distribute the weight right: as in, a lot of the heavier stuff is for site, like a skillet and other kitchen/household stuff.
Anyway...I know all of this will be super trivial once I am there, but you gotta have something to dwell on in the meantime!!
And it's actually pretty big! I don't see myself using a pack any bigger than this while in-country. So as long as it fits me well, I think this is it!! I am going to get a couple of spare clips and zippers from EC before I go so that in the case of damage I can have it repaired. If I were in the US, I think they repair for life for free. But I wouldn't want to deal with sending/receiving it from Africa, when I could just have it repaired at a tailor if I had the parts.
My first checked bag will still be my big, red Samsonite rolling duffel (which I have never actually used because I tend to travel LIGHT [as in...I haven't checked a bag in years!]). Now the question is what the second bag will be. Something smaller, I think. I'm sure I can fit 50 lbs. of stuff in the Samsonite, so I might get a smaller Eagle Creek rolling duffel for the additional 30 lbs, like this one. It being lightweight is key. Who wants to waste 10 lbs. on the friggin bag???
I think the way I will pack is that all the stuff for staging (and more) will go in the backpack. All the stuff for homestay will go in the smaller duffel and the stuff for site will go in the Samsonite (which they will lock up at the training facility until I move to site). I think this will be a good way to pack and will distribute the weight right: as in, a lot of the heavier stuff is for site, like a skillet and other kitchen/household stuff.
Anyway...I know all of this will be super trivial once I am there, but you gotta have something to dwell on in the meantime!!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Everything Happens for a Reason...I hope.
Well, since my last post, the Emmys have come and gone, I was quoted in a PC article in the LA Times (though a bit inaccurately), I met with some other future LA volunteers (at Ngoma Restaurant!), and my friend had a double aortic aneurysm rupture and shouldn't even be alive - but he pulled through!! Thoughts with you always, Papa Bear!
My TV show is getting pitched to a major network on Oct. 1. Like, one of the big 4. Our EP said he would be "shocked" if this show didn't sell.
I hope he is right. If the show sells, I am all gung-ho about working on it for the rest of the year and into 2009 and making what to me is a lot of money, and then doing PC in the Spring.
After all, my chances of actually getting into the December program are SLIM. I'm actually holding back a bit from my PO (aka not bothering her) because at this point I'm kind of thinking it would be a good thing to have to look at February and beyond.
What I'm hoping is that everything happens for a reason. If the show doesn't sell, you best believe I will be sour. But if it does? Awesomeness.
We still only know of one Francophone program leaving in December: Guinea. The six-week deadline on that one is October 20 (leaving Dec. 1). At this point, I am anticipating staying around until the Spring.
I hope it all works out, man.
My TV show is getting pitched to a major network on Oct. 1. Like, one of the big 4. Our EP said he would be "shocked" if this show didn't sell.
I hope he is right. If the show sells, I am all gung-ho about working on it for the rest of the year and into 2009 and making what to me is a lot of money, and then doing PC in the Spring.
After all, my chances of actually getting into the December program are SLIM. I'm actually holding back a bit from my PO (aka not bothering her) because at this point I'm kind of thinking it would be a good thing to have to look at February and beyond.
What I'm hoping is that everything happens for a reason. If the show doesn't sell, you best believe I will be sour. But if it does? Awesomeness.
We still only know of one Francophone program leaving in December: Guinea. The six-week deadline on that one is October 20 (leaving Dec. 1). At this point, I am anticipating staying around until the Spring.
I hope it all works out, man.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Back on the French Wagon
Well, I have completed all 8 units of Rosetta Stone French 1, Listening & Reading, exercise 1.
There are 4 exercises in listening & reading alone. Now I am going back to unit 1 and am going to do exercise 1 of just listening for all 8 units. I don't really need to know how to read and write French as much as I will need to know how to speak and listen. So from now on I am going to concentrate on the speaking and listening exercises, and not reading and writing.
Learning a whole new language isn't easy. I always get tricked into thinking it's easy because at first it is, and then it gets friggin complicated.
But I know a lot of nouns, verbs and question words now (or at least I can read them), so now it's a matter of being able to understand when it's spoken to me.
I really want to get as good at French as I can before I go so that I can concentrate on learning my local language and not French when I get there.
Alright listening-only exercises, here I come!
There are 4 exercises in listening & reading alone. Now I am going back to unit 1 and am going to do exercise 1 of just listening for all 8 units. I don't really need to know how to read and write French as much as I will need to know how to speak and listen. So from now on I am going to concentrate on the speaking and listening exercises, and not reading and writing.
Learning a whole new language isn't easy. I always get tricked into thinking it's easy because at first it is, and then it gets friggin complicated.
But I know a lot of nouns, verbs and question words now (or at least I can read them), so now it's a matter of being able to understand when it's spoken to me.
I really want to get as good at French as I can before I go so that I can concentrate on learning my local language and not French when I get there.
Alright listening-only exercises, here I come!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Additional Experience
So I have signed up for five cleanup opportunities (2 @ Franklin Canyon, and then some others I have never done before) between now and October 18. I skip Sat. Sept. 13 because that is the day we shoot the Emmys.
What I worry about is that most of this stuff is on the west side, even as far as Playa del Rey and Santa Monica...I just don't know how well my car will respond to taking such long trips (relative to how much I normally drive) each week. Old Red isn't in the best condition. But we'll see.
The first one is next Saturday and it's planting and maintaining a garden used for horticulture therapy with kids. I'm excited!
What I worry about is that most of this stuff is on the west side, even as far as Playa del Rey and Santa Monica...I just don't know how well my car will respond to taking such long trips (relative to how much I normally drive) each week. Old Red isn't in the best condition. But we'll see.
The first one is next Saturday and it's planting and maintaining a garden used for horticulture therapy with kids. I'm excited!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Finally Spoke to my PO
Finally got to have a conversation with my PO today! She asked me a couple of questions about my Ag experience and then told me that my application did not reflect my actual experience. Guess I was too modest?? She had no idea how extensive my organic gardening experience is and was under the impression that I had been nominated just based on my park cleanups.
She said I was right and my nominated program (Niger, Oct. 7) has been filled. I also found out today that my friend Santiago was, in fact, invited to Niger and accepted. My PO said she would try to get me into a program leaving in December. But she said it was a SUPER small Ag class, like, TINY, so there will be a lot of competition for very few slots. She said it was still Francophone Africa so to keep up with my French. But since the class is so small, I wonder if I can still keep it narrowed down to Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal or if it brings whole new countries into the mix. I already know Guinea is leaving Dec. 1, and they evidently have some AgroForestry volunteers, so who knows.
If she can't get me into that program, she said she'd contact me and we'd look at programs leaving February and later. I told her I really have my heart set on doing Ag and I really wanted to find something in that sector. Then I told her about the Moringa tree.
She said that I should go back to doing my park cleanups with LA Works and keep going to community gardens, maybe even find a Moringa tree plantation to volunteer at. She said to keep her updated via email once I put in a few hours and describe the kind of work I was doing.
In other news, Santiago and I are going to meet for eats at the Pan-African restaurant on Wilshire, called Ngoma. We are going to practice French, drink African beer, and cry over not being invited to the same program.
She said I was right and my nominated program (Niger, Oct. 7) has been filled. I also found out today that my friend Santiago was, in fact, invited to Niger and accepted. My PO said she would try to get me into a program leaving in December. But she said it was a SUPER small Ag class, like, TINY, so there will be a lot of competition for very few slots. She said it was still Francophone Africa so to keep up with my French. But since the class is so small, I wonder if I can still keep it narrowed down to Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal or if it brings whole new countries into the mix. I already know Guinea is leaving Dec. 1, and they evidently have some AgroForestry volunteers, so who knows.
If she can't get me into that program, she said she'd contact me and we'd look at programs leaving February and later. I told her I really have my heart set on doing Ag and I really wanted to find something in that sector. Then I told her about the Moringa tree.
She said that I should go back to doing my park cleanups with LA Works and keep going to community gardens, maybe even find a Moringa tree plantation to volunteer at. She said to keep her updated via email once I put in a few hours and describe the kind of work I was doing.
In other news, Santiago and I are going to meet for eats at the Pan-African restaurant on Wilshire, called Ngoma. We are going to practice French, drink African beer, and cry over not being invited to the same program.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Progress with the PO
Ok, so I just talked with the placement office. The asst. PO that answered was nice, but didn't seem to know if my toolkit would ever revert back to its state before the Administrative Error or not, but that I should be fine because everyone in their office is aware of the issue.
Then I asked if my PO was available. She said she was, but was there something she could help me with, which is what they are trained to ask when you ask for your PO. I told her the truth: that I had the inkling that I had been nominated to the Niger Oct. 7 program and that yesterday was the six-week-mark, so that ship had sailed and I wanted to ask my PO what things I could do to strengthen my file to encourage her to invite me in the future. The APO put me on hold for a minute, and then came back and said she would transfer me to my POs voicemail, gave me her direct extension (!!!), and said she would personally tell my PO that I called. So this APO is on my side!
I think PC really likes it when you show initiative and motivation and show you are willing to work hard to be invited. And I am definitely willing to do what it takes to be a strong candidate. If it means volunteering every weekend, working out to bring down my BMI, tackling Rosetta Stone for hours on end and taking a class on trees, then I will do that. I just need her to tell me what she wants.
Then I asked if my PO was available. She said she was, but was there something she could help me with, which is what they are trained to ask when you ask for your PO. I told her the truth: that I had the inkling that I had been nominated to the Niger Oct. 7 program and that yesterday was the six-week-mark, so that ship had sailed and I wanted to ask my PO what things I could do to strengthen my file to encourage her to invite me in the future. The APO put me on hold for a minute, and then came back and said she would transfer me to my POs voicemail, gave me her direct extension (!!!), and said she would personally tell my PO that I called. So this APO is on my side!
I think PC really likes it when you show initiative and motivation and show you are willing to work hard to be invited. And I am definitely willing to do what it takes to be a strong candidate. If it means volunteering every weekend, working out to bring down my BMI, tackling Rosetta Stone for hours on end and taking a class on trees, then I will do that. I just need her to tell me what she wants.
Well, the Niger Ship Has Sailed
No invite. So not going to Niger Oct. 7. Don't have any idea what program I'll be waiting for next. I am going to call my PO today and get a bead on my situation and ask her what things I should do to strengthen my file and encourage her to invite me to the next round.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Heart Attacks, seriously.
So when I woke up this morning I had the 'toolkit updated' email and went to my toolkit and read the words, "you have been invited!!" I foolishly assumed it was my invite to Niger. Then I looked more closely. It said my invite was for Burkina Faso. And then it dawned on me - this is the glitch the PO emailed me about yesterday!
I'm not really invited. This is the Administrative Error. All I can hope for is that magically it all changes to Niger come Monday or Tuesday.
Why must Peace Corps toy with my emotions?
And I got so excited...
I'm not really invited. This is the Administrative Error. All I can hope for is that magically it all changes to Niger come Monday or Tuesday.
Why must Peace Corps toy with my emotions?
And I got so excited...
Friday, August 22, 2008
2 more business days til no Niger for me...
Well, my PO went home for the day a couple hours ago, and no invite for me. I have heard of people receiving invite notification on their toolkits on Saturdays, but I am just not optimistic. I think I am going to call her on Monday and just try to get her to be straight with me and lay it out.
Can't handle the roller coaster!!
Many people on the message boards received invites today - Burkina Faso and Thailand and such...
I guess the only thing keeping me semi-optimistic is that I only know of 5 people who have been invited to the program, and in the end there will probably be, like, 30. If there were a slew of people with invites to Niger, I would be less optimistic. But there aren't. There are only 5. That we know of.
Can't handle the roller coaster!!
Many people on the message boards received invites today - Burkina Faso and Thailand and such...
I guess the only thing keeping me semi-optimistic is that I only know of 5 people who have been invited to the program, and in the end there will probably be, like, 30. If there were a slew of people with invites to Niger, I would be less optimistic. But there aren't. There are only 5. That we know of.
POs Giving Me Heart Attacks!
I just got an email from Peace Corps, and almost had a heart attack trying to read all the words at once:
Hi Dorian,
Greetings from the Peace Corps! My name is [name removed] and I am a placement officer on the Africa team. I’m writing to alert you that you might be receiving a confusing status update from your My Toolkit account online. I made an administrative error while updating our database, and inadvertently inputted some information in your record that was intended for another applicant with a very similar name. The error has been rectified, but you will likely be receiving a prompt stating that you declined an invitation to serve in Burkina Faso. Please just disregard the prompt, as it was intended for another candidate.
Your placement officer, [name removed], is aware of my error, and is also cc’ed on this email. Your application is currently under review with [name removed].
My apologies again for the confusion, and please do feel free to contact me if you need further clarification.
Best, [name removed]
So basically it means nothing...except that I know who my placement officer is and she is looking at my file!!! WOOT! I can't sleep at night the closer and closer we get to Tuesday, which is the day I will know if I'm going or not.
I am going to email them both back and say thank you and that I look forward to hearing from my PO SOON!!!
Hi Dorian,
Greetings from the Peace Corps! My name is [name removed] and I am a placement officer on the Africa team. I’m writing to alert you that you might be receiving a confusing status update from your My Toolkit account online. I made an administrative error while updating our database, and inadvertently inputted some information in your record that was intended for another applicant with a very similar name. The error has been rectified, but you will likely be receiving a prompt stating that you declined an invitation to serve in Burkina Faso. Please just disregard the prompt, as it was intended for another candidate.
Your placement officer, [name removed], is aware of my error, and is also cc’ed on this email. Your application is currently under review with [name removed].
My apologies again for the confusion, and please do feel free to contact me if you need further clarification.
Best, [name removed]
So basically it means nothing...except that I know who my placement officer is and she is looking at my file!!! WOOT! I can't sleep at night the closer and closer we get to Tuesday, which is the day I will know if I'm going or not.
I am going to email them both back and say thank you and that I look forward to hearing from my PO SOON!!!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Deferred Departures
There is a bruhaha on the message boards. Apparently PC sent out a slew of emails telling a bunch of SS Africa September nominees that their departure has been deferred - most likely to next year!! Luckily none of them were Ag programs...I think the Ag program is safe...and hopefully not full. There are only 4 members of the October Niger Ag program on the Facebook page, so hopefully there are still plenty of slots open!
My recruiter told me during my interview that PC is really hard up for people with any kind of gardening experience, so hopefully this means my program is not too competitive!
Here's hoping!!
My recruiter told me during my interview that PC is really hard up for people with any kind of gardening experience, so hopefully this means my program is not too competitive!
Here's hoping!!
Cool Backpack/Luggage Musings
I think that this is the backpack I'm going to get for Peace Corps. It's not too big, not too small, and I like that it has the removable daypack, which would mean that I wouldn't have to bring another small backpack, cuz it's two-in-one! I would still need to get a waist pack of some kind for long bike rides.
I read in the blogs that bush taxis will charge you more if you have a really big backpack, which turned me off from the idea of getting one of those huge backpacking packs. This pack is just a couple of inches bigger than the guidelines for carry-ons on airplanes, but I think I will try to take it as my carry-on anyway...put the main part in the overhead and take off the day pack with just stuff for the ride. Then I could still check two bags. I still have yet to decide which bags I want to bring and check.
I've heard mixed stories about luggage...some people say PC helps you with it until you get to site, so it's no big deal if you can't manage it all on your own. Others say they struggled greatly getting all their stuff from one place to another. Some say pack light, some say bring stuff and ignore the weight rule (i.e. bring the 100 lbs. allowed by the airline and forget the 80 lb. Peace Corps rule).
I'm thinking one of my checked bags will be my big, red, Samsonite (I think?) rolling duffel bag...so even if the rolling part is useless (i.e. walking thru sand), it could still get thrown over my shoulder as a duffel. Then the question is what to bring as the last bag??? Maybe I'll make it a real small one and put all the heavy stuff in it (all the liquids and toiletries you have to check anyway). Maybe two duffels and the aforementioned backpack...dude...I could fit A LOT of stuff in all that!
Also I am still SUPER stoked about the Macabi skirt. They have yet to get back to me about a PC discount (I read somewhere that since she is an RPCV she sells them to FPCVs at cost). EDIT: They left a comment on my last entry about the skirt! They do give a pro discount to PCVs, so as soon as I am invited you better believe this will be my first purchase!
I read in the blogs that bush taxis will charge you more if you have a really big backpack, which turned me off from the idea of getting one of those huge backpacking packs. This pack is just a couple of inches bigger than the guidelines for carry-ons on airplanes, but I think I will try to take it as my carry-on anyway...put the main part in the overhead and take off the day pack with just stuff for the ride. Then I could still check two bags. I still have yet to decide which bags I want to bring and check.
I've heard mixed stories about luggage...some people say PC helps you with it until you get to site, so it's no big deal if you can't manage it all on your own. Others say they struggled greatly getting all their stuff from one place to another. Some say pack light, some say bring stuff and ignore the weight rule (i.e. bring the 100 lbs. allowed by the airline and forget the 80 lb. Peace Corps rule).
I'm thinking one of my checked bags will be my big, red, Samsonite (I think?) rolling duffel bag...so even if the rolling part is useless (i.e. walking thru sand), it could still get thrown over my shoulder as a duffel. Then the question is what to bring as the last bag??? Maybe I'll make it a real small one and put all the heavy stuff in it (all the liquids and toiletries you have to check anyway). Maybe two duffels and the aforementioned backpack...dude...I could fit A LOT of stuff in all that!
Also I am still SUPER stoked about the Macabi skirt. They have yet to get back to me about a PC discount (I read somewhere that since she is an RPCV she sells them to FPCVs at cost). EDIT: They left a comment on my last entry about the skirt! They do give a pro discount to PCVs, so as soon as I am invited you better believe this will be my first purchase!
Proof you should never stop reading blogs and message boards
Today I was reading a message board and someone had mentioned the Macabi skirt, which I guess was designed by a Peace Corps volunteer and she will sell them to you at cost: www.macabiskirt.com.
Dude...this is the best skirt EVER! I am in no stretch of the imagination pro-skirt, but dude...I want to get at least 3 of these before I go. 3 would be ideal. And the link with my mom in case I need a new one...amazing!! I want it!!! (in charcoal)
Proof you should never stop scouring the internet about Peace Corps stuff...no matter how many times you encounter the same old questions and packing lists over and over...a gem like this is waiting for you at the next click of your mouse!
Dude...this is the best skirt EVER! I am in no stretch of the imagination pro-skirt, but dude...I want to get at least 3 of these before I go. 3 would be ideal. And the link with my mom in case I need a new one...amazing!! I want it!!! (in charcoal)
Proof you should never stop scouring the internet about Peace Corps stuff...no matter how many times you encounter the same old questions and packing lists over and over...a gem like this is waiting for you at the next click of your mouse!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Is it Aug. 26 yet?
Dude I want it to be a week from now already so I will know if I am going to Niger October 7!!
I'm getting very restless! Very restless!! Very excited! Very ready! Very very wanting to know my near future!
I need to go through and refine/compile the lists I have made of tips and items I found while reading blogs, Facebook and the peacecorps2 yahoo group...what great resources for nervous FPCVs!
I'm ready to start packing. Let's do this!!
I'm getting very restless! Very restless!! Very excited! Very ready! Very very wanting to know my near future!
I need to go through and refine/compile the lists I have made of tips and items I found while reading blogs, Facebook and the peacecorps2 yahoo group...what great resources for nervous FPCVs!
I'm ready to start packing. Let's do this!!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Invitation Update
According to Jenna on the FPCV Facebook, PC has a strict policy of inviting no less than six weeks before departure. Niger Ag is leaving October 7, 2008. Which means they would have to tell me by next Tuesday, the 26th, if I am going! Also apparently it is not uncommon to never hear from your PO...I guess if they don't need anything from you, they don't necessarily talk to you!
So here's fingers crossed for an invite in the next 9 days!
So here's fingers crossed for an invite in the next 9 days!
Best. Discovery. EVER!
Dude...sour cream is my FAVORITE condiment...I <3 it! If this powder is for real...and I could have some semblance of a sour cream in Africa...all will be right with the world!! Also, this site: www.barryfarm.com has powdered cheese sauce and stuff (like from Kraft Mac & Cheese) and all kinds of powdered and dehydrated stuff that would be excellent for care packages!
Another good one for foodstuffs is http://www.harmonyhousefoods.com/. They have faux-meat and dehydrated vegetables and soups and stuff like that...
I hope my family sends me some of this stuff regularly!! I also plan to bring a couple of Tupperwares full of some of this stuff...especially stuff like the cheese sauce, which could be a great alternative to millet and "snot sauce" as many PCVs refer to the common okra-and-millet/sorghum dish.
UPDATE: I just ordered this from Harmony House.
Also I ordered from Barry Farms: the sour cream, dried refried pinto beans, dehydrated red & green bell peppers, dehydrated shiitake mushrooms, and the dehydrated vegetable soup blend.
I figure, once I get through all of that I'll have a good idea of what is good and what isn't!
Another good one for foodstuffs is http://www.harmonyhousefoods.com/. They have faux-meat and dehydrated vegetables and soups and stuff like that...
I hope my family sends me some of this stuff regularly!! I also plan to bring a couple of Tupperwares full of some of this stuff...especially stuff like the cheese sauce, which could be a great alternative to millet and "snot sauce" as many PCVs refer to the common okra-and-millet/sorghum dish.
UPDATE: I just ordered this from Harmony House.
Also I ordered from Barry Farms: the sour cream, dried refried pinto beans, dehydrated red & green bell peppers, dehydrated shiitake mushrooms, and the dehydrated vegetable soup blend.
I figure, once I get through all of that I'll have a good idea of what is good and what isn't!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
News from the PO
Well, today I called the Placement Office to get a bead on the situation. I think I have been assigned a placement officer named Josh, though I have never spoken to him. The woman who answered the phone said that if he were waiting for any forms from me, he would have contacted me, so hopefully I am all good. She also said that my program is still leaving at the beginning of October (beginning...eek!!) and that it didn't look like it was full yet. She said I should be getting my invitation, if I am going to be invited to that program, by the end of the month. It is already the 13th, so basically I should be getting it in the next 2 weeks if that is going to be my assignment.
This morning I spent a half hour or so talking to Ahmed, who is our night security officer at the building I work in. He is from Togo, the capital...I dunno what the capital is, but that's the city he's from. His dad owns a trucking company that has about 15 trucks that go all over West Africa. He said if I do go to Africa and am going to travel in Togo, I should contact him and he will have his brothers or cousins show me and my PCV friends around. That would be cool!! They'd know all the best stuff! He came to the US for school, but we didn't get into what he is studying or where. He said he learned English in Niger. He said I will really like Africa, that it's great there. He also said that he likes the food at Ngoma, which is a Pan-African restaurant on Wilshire, but that the food in-country is even BETTER....that's good, because I liked Ngoma! I want to go again.
So already one African person likes me! He said I will do really well there because the people are friendly and so am I. He also said Niger is HOT! But I knew that... He knows 4 or 5 languages including English and French, he seemed to enjoy that I knew there would be many languages to learn, as most people are shocked he knows so many. All-in-all a fun conversation, and reassuring, as he didn't seem worried at all about me going or being unsafe.
This morning I spent a half hour or so talking to Ahmed, who is our night security officer at the building I work in. He is from Togo, the capital...I dunno what the capital is, but that's the city he's from. His dad owns a trucking company that has about 15 trucks that go all over West Africa. He said if I do go to Africa and am going to travel in Togo, I should contact him and he will have his brothers or cousins show me and my PCV friends around. That would be cool!! They'd know all the best stuff! He came to the US for school, but we didn't get into what he is studying or where. He said he learned English in Niger. He said I will really like Africa, that it's great there. He also said that he likes the food at Ngoma, which is a Pan-African restaurant on Wilshire, but that the food in-country is even BETTER....that's good, because I liked Ngoma! I want to go again.
So already one African person likes me! He said I will do really well there because the people are friendly and so am I. He also said Niger is HOT! But I knew that... He knows 4 or 5 languages including English and French, he seemed to enjoy that I knew there would be many languages to learn, as most people are shocked he knows so many. All-in-all a fun conversation, and reassuring, as he didn't seem worried at all about me going or being unsafe.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Invitation!?
Yesterday when I went to check my mail, there was a Peace Corps envelope in it and I nearly had a heart attack. The fleeting thought that the envelope was too small to be my invitation didn't stop me from ripping it open and finding...my letter of dental clearance. Haha.
Today I came to realize that you have to have an interview with your placement officer before you will be invited. I have never heard from the placement office and don't even know if I've been assigned an officer yet. According to the future PCV Facebook group, even September Africa nominees haven't heard anything yet. I also read that certain programs like TEFL and Community Development are being suspended until PC can figure out their budget problems in the face of skyrocketing gas prices and the weakened dollar. Luckily I am an Agricultural nominee, and this is a program PC cannot sacrifice (after all, we are the ones helping to feed villages).
I was expecting to get my invitation by the end of the month. Now I'm thinking it might be well into September before I hear anything. Monday I may call the placement office and see if I've even been assigned a PO yet. They might be waiting for forms from me and I don't know it.
Today I came to realize that you have to have an interview with your placement officer before you will be invited. I have never heard from the placement office and don't even know if I've been assigned an officer yet. According to the future PCV Facebook group, even September Africa nominees haven't heard anything yet. I also read that certain programs like TEFL and Community Development are being suspended until PC can figure out their budget problems in the face of skyrocketing gas prices and the weakened dollar. Luckily I am an Agricultural nominee, and this is a program PC cannot sacrifice (after all, we are the ones helping to feed villages).
I was expecting to get my invitation by the end of the month. Now I'm thinking it might be well into September before I hear anything. Monday I may call the placement office and see if I've even been assigned a PO yet. They might be waiting for forms from me and I don't know it.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
It Looks Like Niger
Well, I saw on the Niger Facebook page that a girl has been invited for Agriculture in October in Niger.
...So it looks like Niger, folks. Unless one of the other three also has a group leaving at the same time for the same assignment.
So of course I have been scouring the Niger blogs. There aren't as many/as detailed/as recent as there are from the other countries. I think this is because you can only get internet in Niamey, not in all regional capitals, as is the case in some other countries.
But I did find a pretty good photo page with captions, a blog from a current PCV whose parents transcribe her letters home to the blog, and this one: http://meandmyswissarmyknife.blogspot.com/
I'm still in her 2007 posts...I don't know if she's still there or has come home yet, but she seems to make it to Niamey fairly regularly to post really long, detailed entries.
Even more interesting, I know an RPCV who served in Niger in the 90's. I've been meaning to talk with her more, but didn't quite know what to ask. I kind of want to figure out what country it will be for sure before I really talk with her.
I should get my invitation in the next 2-4 weeks. Nerve wracking.
...So it looks like Niger, folks. Unless one of the other three also has a group leaving at the same time for the same assignment.
So of course I have been scouring the Niger blogs. There aren't as many/as detailed/as recent as there are from the other countries. I think this is because you can only get internet in Niamey, not in all regional capitals, as is the case in some other countries.
But I did find a pretty good photo page with captions, a blog from a current PCV whose parents transcribe her letters home to the blog, and this one: http://meandmyswissarmyknife.blogspot.com/
I'm still in her 2007 posts...I don't know if she's still there or has come home yet, but she seems to make it to Niamey fairly regularly to post really long, detailed entries.
Even more interesting, I know an RPCV who served in Niger in the 90's. I've been meaning to talk with her more, but didn't quite know what to ask. I kind of want to figure out what country it will be for sure before I really talk with her.
I should get my invitation in the next 2-4 weeks. Nerve wracking.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Dentally Cleared
Well, my toolkit tells me I have been dentally cleared. No more hurdles, all my clearances are in. Except for placement clearances. I'm not sure if I owe them a form or not. I don't know if I already filled it out or not, I can't remember. But they haven't asked me for anything, so...
Once I have been placed I'm sure they will ask me to prove I learned some French. I really hope I don't have to go to some college and take some test to prove it. That will be a pain in the ass. Le fille boit du lait. There, I speak French. I really need to get back on doing Rosetta Stone. Like, today.
So as long as Peace Corps doesn't ask me for anything else, I'm just awaiting my invitation, which should come in the next 3-5 weeks. If we still don't know what's going on with my show by the time I have to answer my invitation, I'm just going to accept.
Once I have been placed I'm sure they will ask me to prove I learned some French. I really hope I don't have to go to some college and take some test to prove it. That will be a pain in the ass. Le fille boit du lait. There, I speak French. I really need to get back on doing Rosetta Stone. Like, today.
So as long as Peace Corps doesn't ask me for anything else, I'm just awaiting my invitation, which should come in the next 3-5 weeks. If we still don't know what's going on with my show by the time I have to answer my invitation, I'm just going to accept.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
