Bambey is getting really good at exhausting me. I am constantly thinking about my return home and all the food I'll get to eat, fun things I'll get to do and the people I will get to see. Here, the power is out more than it isn't, my fan is broken (getting fixed, hopefully today) making my room very hot and sleep hard to come by, and there isn't a whole lot of work to do. I'm at the point in my service when I have to close up everything rather than find new projects to initiate.
What have I done here lately? I planted a few trees from my tree nursery last weekend. At the middle school, the environmental club filled about 500 tree sacs and seeded them all. We out-planted 5 thorny trees and 1 neem tree. I will go back in a few weeks and out plant 30-50 more of 2 different varieties. It's not 500 but it's something, right? And my rooftop garden is sprouting! Yippee!
I have been working for Ndem quite a bit lately. I created a Winter in Africa collection and sent out documents to all the clients I have in the States promoting the new line. I also have a summer line and will hand off that to my replacement. Let's hope we have a group that chooses to purchase product from Ndem. I have tried my whole service to find them an American lead but have fallen short. I hear the economy isn't doing so well? I did all this work here in Bambey since there is no real reason to go to Ndem, but went just yesterday to greet everyone. I was rather disappointed with how it went. I walked there (2 hour hike - really enjoyable!) since my bike was there with a flat tire. I got there and hung out with the guys in the office for a bit, who were definately on a mental vacation. Not a lot of work to be done lately. Then I went to go and see the religious leader and his wife. I wanted to tell them what I have done with the Winter Collection and thank them for everything. I doubt I will be going back to the village. But they were very stand off-ish, and were in some secret meeting with 2 other white people that obviously they didn't want me present for. Maybe I shouldn't take offence to this, but I did. I waited 3 hours for a car to come and by noon, the religious leader didn't show up at the office so I took the car with my bike in the trunk and headed back to Bambey. I was also going to tell Ndem that I was gifting them my computer for the artisan office but I guess that will have to wait for some other time. Oh well.
A fun thing that I did earlier this week was shopping in Thies! I went to the artisanal village and bought souvenirs. I have been here a long time and see this stuff all the time, everywhere. But at the same time, it would be really wierd to go home without some wooden masks and artwork. So Mandi came along with me, and we ended up getting to a restaurant just in time to avoid getting soaked by the next 3 hours of downpour.
So today I went and and hung out with Matar for a while, but this afternoon I'm outta here! I know I haven't been in Bambey for very long, and there was a time when I could stay at site 3 weeks, but that time isn't now. I need to enjoy my last few weeks (8!) in Senegal and cooped up in my 100 degree room all day isn't making me happy. I have some big stuff planned in the next few weeks: next Wednesday I am co-teaching a session with Mandi to a different sector about SED work and how to collaborate between sectors; the week following I am teaching at an English camp and the week after that I am going up north to visit Erin's site. My time left (did I mention it's only 8 weeks?) will fly by, but I gotta DO something to keep me from going crazy!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Summer Time
I have written almost as many blogs as books I've read! Just finished the Harry Potter series(amazing, and now I understand what I was missing out on when they came out) and have read 95 books and this is my 101st message. I think my free leisure time is something I will miss! The problem is that they are a trade off here: internet or book reading, because of frequent power outages. And I like to keep my room closed and dark during the day to keep the heat out, but then I can't read! Oh, the dilemas of PC life!
After Touba, I hydrated and met with a few work partners before heading off to Dakar for a long weekend. That seems to be happening more and more often. I went in on Friday since we had a Dakar regional meeting on Saturday and needed some pool time and stayed in until Wednesday. I swam to a nearby island as practice for the upcoming Isle de Goree 5k swim in August. The swim was enjoyable, but rather polluted: I had to keep dodging plastic bags! Since the PC house was over capacity, I was went over to hang out with a friend who stays at an expat's luxurious apartment. Why I haven't signed up for this sooner, I don't know. Expats in Dakar work at the Embassy or NGOs or elsewhere and always live in a little America. They usually are pretty disconnected from our way of life, but this particular woman was a PCV in what used to be Zaire and understands us perfectly. Well, she has satalite TV, Wii, internet, free long distance to America, air conditioning and the most comfortable couch! Like I said, I stuck around until Wednesday! But you can't say I was unproductive - I now have a resume that is not too bad! Not like I am in a hurry to send it out but, hey, it's a start!
So yesterday I fell right back into my daily routine here. I went to greet everyone in my old neighborhood and think it's almost better that I moved since I am gone so often for many days at a time, and this way, they don't always realize it. Matar was happy because I delivered his order of 12 bags and a hoodie to my friend in Dakar and gifted him with money and another hoodie order. I should check up on his accounting books again, but for the most part, he's got the hang of it.
I returned the wheelbarrows to the mayor's office. Haha, that attracted a bit of attention! I'm about a 10 minute walk to the office and rolled one wheelbarrow inside of the other all the way there at 5pm. Everyone kept saying, "Ouria, that's heavy, where is your male work partner?" Yet none of them offered to help... let's blame the heat and not their laziness. The guardian at the office was impressed and said this wasn't normally woman's work but I was a warrier! Returning them was just another step closer to closing down my project. I really do hope my replacement will work with the mayor's office and try again with this project, since everyone in the neighborhood is so disappointed it didn't work out but that's not for me to decide.
I have been talking with my Matar and a few other friends about how I want to move my replacement back to the original neighborhood I was in, but in a different house. I want a busy house with a Wolof family who's home every day and a nice room, location and all that. I got an email from my new boss who has never been to Bambey saying she wanted to come visit and meet the new host family and counterpart next Friday. I was worried I couldn't get it done but actually it worked out well. We visited 2 places and I had another in mind but no need. The next volunteer is going to be very happy, even if they are so close to my old place they may hear that dog of mine bark! It a new house with a room 3x what I have for less money. The family is popular and has a son Matar knows well who lives in Italy. The location is great, and honestly, I'm jealous!
So today I did nothing but get dirty! I woke up early and went to my compost site and brought home a bunch of compost. This is the kind of stuff you pay extra money for in the States! It's really rich, black dirt and was still warm. I filled about 12 containers and have them all up on the roof. I have a rooftop garden terrace! Nice right? Not really. I cut liter Coke bottles in half and cut holes in the cover and hung them up with string. It's a small garden but let's hope that when I plant all the seeds Mom sent from home I will have a nice herb garden to give away to all the families that were part of the garbage separation project.
This weekend will be relaxing, but nothing like the last one. I need to go and fix up my tree nursery with the kids at the school since weeds are taking over. I may road trip to Thies to hit up the market and artisan center but besides that I don't have much planned. I wish I could just spend the weekend in West Bend - dancing at a friend's summer wedding is where I'd rather be!
After Touba, I hydrated and met with a few work partners before heading off to Dakar for a long weekend. That seems to be happening more and more often. I went in on Friday since we had a Dakar regional meeting on Saturday and needed some pool time and stayed in until Wednesday. I swam to a nearby island as practice for the upcoming Isle de Goree 5k swim in August. The swim was enjoyable, but rather polluted: I had to keep dodging plastic bags! Since the PC house was over capacity, I was went over to hang out with a friend who stays at an expat's luxurious apartment. Why I haven't signed up for this sooner, I don't know. Expats in Dakar work at the Embassy or NGOs or elsewhere and always live in a little America. They usually are pretty disconnected from our way of life, but this particular woman was a PCV in what used to be Zaire and understands us perfectly. Well, she has satalite TV, Wii, internet, free long distance to America, air conditioning and the most comfortable couch! Like I said, I stuck around until Wednesday! But you can't say I was unproductive - I now have a resume that is not too bad! Not like I am in a hurry to send it out but, hey, it's a start!
So yesterday I fell right back into my daily routine here. I went to greet everyone in my old neighborhood and think it's almost better that I moved since I am gone so often for many days at a time, and this way, they don't always realize it. Matar was happy because I delivered his order of 12 bags and a hoodie to my friend in Dakar and gifted him with money and another hoodie order. I should check up on his accounting books again, but for the most part, he's got the hang of it.
I returned the wheelbarrows to the mayor's office. Haha, that attracted a bit of attention! I'm about a 10 minute walk to the office and rolled one wheelbarrow inside of the other all the way there at 5pm. Everyone kept saying, "Ouria, that's heavy, where is your male work partner?" Yet none of them offered to help... let's blame the heat and not their laziness. The guardian at the office was impressed and said this wasn't normally woman's work but I was a warrier! Returning them was just another step closer to closing down my project. I really do hope my replacement will work with the mayor's office and try again with this project, since everyone in the neighborhood is so disappointed it didn't work out but that's not for me to decide.
I have been talking with my Matar and a few other friends about how I want to move my replacement back to the original neighborhood I was in, but in a different house. I want a busy house with a Wolof family who's home every day and a nice room, location and all that. I got an email from my new boss who has never been to Bambey saying she wanted to come visit and meet the new host family and counterpart next Friday. I was worried I couldn't get it done but actually it worked out well. We visited 2 places and I had another in mind but no need. The next volunteer is going to be very happy, even if they are so close to my old place they may hear that dog of mine bark! It a new house with a room 3x what I have for less money. The family is popular and has a son Matar knows well who lives in Italy. The location is great, and honestly, I'm jealous!
So today I did nothing but get dirty! I woke up early and went to my compost site and brought home a bunch of compost. This is the kind of stuff you pay extra money for in the States! It's really rich, black dirt and was still warm. I filled about 12 containers and have them all up on the roof. I have a rooftop garden terrace! Nice right? Not really. I cut liter Coke bottles in half and cut holes in the cover and hung them up with string. It's a small garden but let's hope that when I plant all the seeds Mom sent from home I will have a nice herb garden to give away to all the families that were part of the garbage separation project.
This weekend will be relaxing, but nothing like the last one. I need to go and fix up my tree nursery with the kids at the school since weeds are taking over. I may road trip to Thies to hit up the market and artisan center but besides that I don't have much planned. I wish I could just spend the weekend in West Bend - dancing at a friend's summer wedding is where I'd rather be!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Toubab in Touba
So today was an interesting day, to say the least. To explain a few things first: I live in Bambey, which is its own Department, that is included in the region of Diourbel. Maybe this is like states and counties, but on a much smaller scale, since then entire country of Senegal is the size of South Dakota. Every Department has a mayor, for exampe. I have heard that Bambey is the poorest department in Senegal, and Diourbel is quite possibly one of the poorest regions. Everyone leaves to work elsewhere with the highest goal of leaving the country. Touba is east of Diourbel, but still part of the region. It is the religious capital for Mourides: a brotherhood of Islam. Touba is the pilgrimage site for Magal, that I have talked about in the past, where millions of people all go to pray and celebrate their late leader's anniversary of returning to Senegal, from somewhere. Okay, don't hold me to that, it could be his birthday, not exactly sure. But it last ocurred in February so I won't get to go back to Touba. Which, maybe is ok!
Last night, an RPCV, John, gave me a call. He served in Cameroon til 2003 and just finished Law School and needed a break from America so came to West Africa for like 6 weeks. Randomly, he met someone who new someone who knew me and I got a call. We decided to go to Touba together.
I had heard that Touba is conservative and that I need to wear my Senegalese attire. No problem, I have quite a few different ensembles but had to pick the one that covered me the most. I have a few with no sleeves so those were out. I chose my newest one that has a head scarf too thinking this would be perfect: wrong. It is pants with a boubou (shirt) that goes down to the middle of my shins. Well, pants are apparently illegal in Touba.
We got to Touba early, around 8:30ish and found breakfast and walked to the Grande Mosquee. It was easy to find! We walked up and sure enough, a bayefall (typical mouride) walks up and introduces himself. John and I assumed this would happen so he walks with us talking about the mosque and Touba and notices immediatly that I need to cover up. We walk over to some women sitting across from the mosque and take a skirt to wrap around my pants and a shall to cover my already covered hair. We took off our shoes and got the tour from the bayefall. He told us which tiles came from France and what hand painted murals were imported from Morocco and all the other international influences. And John tried very hard to get into the mosque but since we aren't Muslim, the bayefall said no. He obviously had a better shot than I did but still no luck.
After giving back my additional clothing, we wandered around the market and took a charet ride around town. By 1 it was pretty hot and unbearable and we decided to head back to the garage to make it home. I was getting harrassed by just about anyone since I wasn't wearing a skirt and getting more and more irritated. I was nearly refused lunch at a restaurant and so we decided to just skip it! I understand, in a way, that they want to keep traditions and sure, they have their reasons, but honestly, I tried to please these people in my pretty boubou and didn't succeed.
Oh well, Touba was for sure an experience I figured you all would be interested in. I attached a few pictures so check out the link called Baol Baol (the region of Diourbel's nickname). There are also photos from a baptism on there from a few days ago since my work partner asked me to go around and take pictures of everyone for him. Enjoy!
Last night, an RPCV, John, gave me a call. He served in Cameroon til 2003 and just finished Law School and needed a break from America so came to West Africa for like 6 weeks. Randomly, he met someone who new someone who knew me and I got a call. We decided to go to Touba together.
I had heard that Touba is conservative and that I need to wear my Senegalese attire. No problem, I have quite a few different ensembles but had to pick the one that covered me the most. I have a few with no sleeves so those were out. I chose my newest one that has a head scarf too thinking this would be perfect: wrong. It is pants with a boubou (shirt) that goes down to the middle of my shins. Well, pants are apparently illegal in Touba.
We got to Touba early, around 8:30ish and found breakfast and walked to the Grande Mosquee. It was easy to find! We walked up and sure enough, a bayefall (typical mouride) walks up and introduces himself. John and I assumed this would happen so he walks with us talking about the mosque and Touba and notices immediatly that I need to cover up. We walk over to some women sitting across from the mosque and take a skirt to wrap around my pants and a shall to cover my already covered hair. We took off our shoes and got the tour from the bayefall. He told us which tiles came from France and what hand painted murals were imported from Morocco and all the other international influences. And John tried very hard to get into the mosque but since we aren't Muslim, the bayefall said no. He obviously had a better shot than I did but still no luck.
After giving back my additional clothing, we wandered around the market and took a charet ride around town. By 1 it was pretty hot and unbearable and we decided to head back to the garage to make it home. I was getting harrassed by just about anyone since I wasn't wearing a skirt and getting more and more irritated. I was nearly refused lunch at a restaurant and so we decided to just skip it! I understand, in a way, that they want to keep traditions and sure, they have their reasons, but honestly, I tried to please these people in my pretty boubou and didn't succeed.
Oh well, Touba was for sure an experience I figured you all would be interested in. I attached a few pictures so check out the link called Baol Baol (the region of Diourbel's nickname). There are also photos from a baptism on there from a few days ago since my work partner asked me to go around and take pictures of everyone for him. Enjoy!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sparklers in Africa
During the holidays, we PCVs try our best to bring American traditions to Africa. It doesn't always work but I think the 4th was just about as close as we could get. Last year I went down to Kedougou and celebrated with about 50 others where we had a pig roast and ate cole slaw and potato salad. This year it was just 4 of us, but we didn't have to take public transport 12 hours! We ate hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill and home made chili. We even had sparklers - they smell like the 4th of July back home! So it was no riverside, no finales, but that will only make next year that much more fun!
So I have gotten over my fever and have been left only with a cough and runny nose. I didn't leave my room much when I was sick and tried my best to call work partners, everyone of them who said, "Ouria - you sound horrible, you need to rest". Which is exactly what I did. My friend's parents came to visit her and they just happen to have a time share in Saly, Senegal. I got the invite to hang out at a 5 star resort for 3 nights and loved every minute of it. We had a 2 story hut with a kitchen and air conditioning. The pool was beautiful with wifi access. I read Harry Potter (now on number 6 and loving it!) and bought pretty necklaces on the beach.
So now that I am back, and feeling good, I have begun the work that I have been dreading. My compost project, as you know, kind of, well, failed. Eh, I hate to admit it. Shoulda, woulda, coulda... and it might have been a success. So today I wandered around to my houses who all have garbage cans to talk to them. I now have more than one source that tells me my donkey cart driver, Djebaye doesn't do his job. If there is no one to collect daily, families are forced to dump their trash else where. It is no longer separated, organic and non-organic, and just thrown out in the clearings. I have called the people at the mayor's office but they are too busy actually doing things for the town. Yes, this is a great thing: they are clearing out canals and making Bambey more live-able since it suffers from extreme flooding. So the assistant mayor said after they are done dealing with the rain, they will get to my project. Or, I should say, my replacement's project since I will be State-side when there is no more flooding! I still have to deal with my families who wanted this project and Djebaye, who is going to be very unwilling to give me back the supplies that I rented. He has "lost" a brand new wheelbarrow making me look real bad since I'm the one who has to go back and apologize.
Besides that, I have plans to get to Ndem in the next few days and show them my progress on selecting a Winter and Summer Collection. I would really like to find them some good contacts in America but still, have been unlucky. I have put together documents using Microsoft Publisher and will email them off to a few possible clients. Let's hope this new approach works!
Hope you all enjoyed your 4th, lit sparklers and enjoyed the finale! It's great knowing that I am running out of traditional American holidays to celebrate with a Senegalese twist. I'll be home for the best ones: Thanksgiving, Cookie Bake (yes, thats a holiday in my world) and Christmas!
So I have gotten over my fever and have been left only with a cough and runny nose. I didn't leave my room much when I was sick and tried my best to call work partners, everyone of them who said, "Ouria - you sound horrible, you need to rest". Which is exactly what I did. My friend's parents came to visit her and they just happen to have a time share in Saly, Senegal. I got the invite to hang out at a 5 star resort for 3 nights and loved every minute of it. We had a 2 story hut with a kitchen and air conditioning. The pool was beautiful with wifi access. I read Harry Potter (now on number 6 and loving it!) and bought pretty necklaces on the beach.
So now that I am back, and feeling good, I have begun the work that I have been dreading. My compost project, as you know, kind of, well, failed. Eh, I hate to admit it. Shoulda, woulda, coulda... and it might have been a success. So today I wandered around to my houses who all have garbage cans to talk to them. I now have more than one source that tells me my donkey cart driver, Djebaye doesn't do his job. If there is no one to collect daily, families are forced to dump their trash else where. It is no longer separated, organic and non-organic, and just thrown out in the clearings. I have called the people at the mayor's office but they are too busy actually doing things for the town. Yes, this is a great thing: they are clearing out canals and making Bambey more live-able since it suffers from extreme flooding. So the assistant mayor said after they are done dealing with the rain, they will get to my project. Or, I should say, my replacement's project since I will be State-side when there is no more flooding! I still have to deal with my families who wanted this project and Djebaye, who is going to be very unwilling to give me back the supplies that I rented. He has "lost" a brand new wheelbarrow making me look real bad since I'm the one who has to go back and apologize.
Besides that, I have plans to get to Ndem in the next few days and show them my progress on selecting a Winter and Summer Collection. I would really like to find them some good contacts in America but still, have been unlucky. I have put together documents using Microsoft Publisher and will email them off to a few possible clients. Let's hope this new approach works!
Hope you all enjoyed your 4th, lit sparklers and enjoyed the finale! It's great knowing that I am running out of traditional American holidays to celebrate with a Senegalese twist. I'll be home for the best ones: Thanksgiving, Cookie Bake (yes, thats a holiday in my world) and Christmas!
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