So things here are snowballing so fast into swear in. On the one hand I am very excited and on the other hand I am scared. I'm sad to leave Hamdy and that I won't get to see my host family everyday. There's been some days where if I hadn't had them to go home to that I would probably have considered going home. They have made all the difference in my being successful here. I'll miss the other volunteers too. It's so easy when everyone is in such a close proximity to one another. Granted, my closest volunteer is only 18k away but still ... that's not 18 feet.
This past week I spent in MY village. It was so exciting to walk along the main road and practice my Zarma greetings since that and "ay go ga dondon Zarma cine" are the only sentences I can say (that means btw "I'm learning Zarma"). Each day I went to the inspection and a different coworker took me to their home for lunch. I'm really going to fit in where I work. The atmosphere is just so laid back and Nigeriens are always joking around with one another. They love to laugh and I share that quality.
Thursday I was sick which was no fun. I felt so bad for my coworker because he felt bad that I was sick at his house. He had just got done telling me that when it rains during someones visit it is that person bringing their family luck. Then in the span of 45 minutes I had to use their latrine 4 times ... in the rain and lighting. Not to mention, at this point in the week I had just run out of toilet paper. I am resourceful and used a pad and a dryer sheet to wipe but that only worked once. Then I had to buta it ... not as hard as the first time but definitely not an enjoyable experience.
But - I do have a normal bathroom set up in my house! My house is gorgrous. I live in a gated community and I have enough privacy ... almost too much, though. I live a roughly 25 minute walk away from the hub of the city (the area surrounding my work place). That means for me to meet people I have to stay out later. I will encourage people to visit me so long as it is during daytime hours. I am also hoping to get a bike. This, I'm sure, will only contribute to the forty pounds I have already lost.
Friday I headed back to the city. My bush taxis in Kollo are pretty exceptional. It was the city taxis that gave me the most trouble this time around. I was so tired, still stick, and just wanting to get somewhere that felt safe .... funny how standing in the middle of a busy street doesn't feel the most comforting. I repeatedly flag down taxis who aren't willing to drive me to the hostel. I get in one who says he'll take me (finally) but he says for 400 cfa ... this is double the price and not realllly worth it. I get out and finally ask to go to the PC bureau. As soon as I was in the car I felt like crying. I was so relieved.
This past week I spent in MY village. It was so exciting to walk along the main road and practice my Zarma greetings since that and "ay go ga dondon Zarma cine" are the only sentences I can say (that means btw "I'm learning Zarma"). Each day I went to the inspection and a different coworker took me to their home for lunch. I'm really going to fit in where I work. The atmosphere is just so laid back and Nigeriens are always joking around with one another. They love to laugh and I share that quality.
Thursday I was sick which was no fun. I felt so bad for my coworker because he felt bad that I was sick at his house. He had just got done telling me that when it rains during someones visit it is that person bringing their family luck. Then in the span of 45 minutes I had to use their latrine 4 times ... in the rain and lighting. Not to mention, at this point in the week I had just run out of toilet paper. I am resourceful and used a pad and a dryer sheet to wipe but that only worked once. Then I had to buta it ... not as hard as the first time but definitely not an enjoyable experience.
But - I do have a normal bathroom set up in my house! My house is gorgrous. I live in a gated community and I have enough privacy ... almost too much, though. I live a roughly 25 minute walk away from the hub of the city (the area surrounding my work place). That means for me to meet people I have to stay out later. I will encourage people to visit me so long as it is during daytime hours. I am also hoping to get a bike. This, I'm sure, will only contribute to the forty pounds I have already lost.
Friday I headed back to the city. My bush taxis in Kollo are pretty exceptional. It was the city taxis that gave me the most trouble this time around. I was so tired, still stick, and just wanting to get somewhere that felt safe .... funny how standing in the middle of a busy street doesn't feel the most comforting. I repeatedly flag down taxis who aren't willing to drive me to the hostel. I get in one who says he'll take me (finally) but he says for 400 cfa ... this is double the price and not realllly worth it. I get out and finally ask to go to the PC bureau. As soon as I was in the car I felt like crying. I was so relieved.
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