Earlier today (11/21) I was riding my bike around the city swerving in and out of traffic and I realized this was all very familiar à New York City. Now mind you the whole country has 14 million and the American city has 8 million alone but alot of what I learned in New York has come in handy.
As a pedestrain in New York City, you are always in a rush. I learned to dodge moving and parked vehicles, push pedestrains (hehe) and run to trains. Here I am kinda doing the same thing. On my bike, I have to avoid other bicyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrains, vendors, vehicles, oncoming traffic, did I mention goats? It's alot and you have to learn fast, kinda like you have to in the Big Apple.
Most people here do not have cars,you either bike or ride your moto and some walk (like miles). There are taxis in the city but they are expensive and unless you are in the capital, your bike can get you everywhere you need. So I will be grocery shopping, visiting friends, going to cyber cafes, working... all on my bike. In New York, you walk or take the subway. So I am kinda prepared to be innovative in my baggage and thoroughly plan my errands.
In New York, having a stroller is kinda ridiculous. Unless you have a car and use taxis all the time, traveling with a child has to be creative. Subway elevators never work and really don't exist. SO you either recruit a fellow rider to help you with stairs or you pray for seating for your tired child. Here, they just strap them to their back. It actually works really well, you can still accomplish all of your chores and errands. I may do it, depending on my fitness level (the women here are STRONG. We always talk about how they would win a fight with men).
All vendors outside stores here (which are most) have negiotable prices. Now they will try to get you because you are a "Nasaro" but we usually talk them down to normal prices. My frequenting flea markets in NYC helped here.
If I travel to another part of the country I go by bus. If I am lucky, I coordinate my travel and take the nicer bus (a/c, TVs, cozy seats). I really only traveled to DC or Boston when I was in NY. If I left early enough, I could take the luxurious Bolt Bus.
I could go on but I won't. I am adapting well because some of the transitions have been easier. Thank you to the birthplace of my adult life- New York!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Welcome to Harmattan
You wake up to a chill in the air. You realize that last night you wrapped yourself in your blanket because of the cold. It is too cold for you to even bathe in the morning, even after your water has been boiled. People are wearing parkas (bubble jackets) others are battling the flu. This is in Africa!
It's called Harmattan and it is the equivalent to America's winter. The dusty winds come down from the Sahara and create a chill. Everything becomes dusty, so much so you have to wear a mask over your nose and mouth. Every morning I wake up with a runny nose and cough. I believe I am the sole American that thinks its cold enough to wear a sweatshirt (70 degrees in the states is chilly to me too). The weather will last like this until February when it becomes blazing hot- 104 degrees average. In June, it finally cools down with rain but it rains alot. Most people plant their crops at this time but there is no traveling because most roads are unpassable. In October, the rain ends and it is the mini hot season (about 95 degrees). There are four seasons here- familiar!
Most volunteers treasure Harmattan because it is so much cooler. I will just keep wrapping myself up and hope I don't get another cold.
It's called Harmattan and it is the equivalent to America's winter. The dusty winds come down from the Sahara and create a chill. Everything becomes dusty, so much so you have to wear a mask over your nose and mouth. Every morning I wake up with a runny nose and cough. I believe I am the sole American that thinks its cold enough to wear a sweatshirt (70 degrees in the states is chilly to me too). The weather will last like this until February when it becomes blazing hot- 104 degrees average. In June, it finally cools down with rain but it rains alot. Most people plant their crops at this time but there is no traveling because most roads are unpassable. In October, the rain ends and it is the mini hot season (about 95 degrees). There are four seasons here- familiar!
Most volunteers treasure Harmattan because it is so much cooler. I will just keep wrapping myself up and hope I don't get another cold.
Friday, November 21, 2008
SIDA
They feel encouraged. Though their families have shunned them and their communities won't accept them, their spirits are good. They are healthier. They are alive. And they have each other. Many of them are widowers who got tested because they felt sick. Their fears became a reality when it came back positive. All they knew about it was it killed people. They were so full of fear... but they are still here. They are a testimony to others that you can survive. You will survive. There is help.
SIDA (or AIDS in English) has infected too many women in Sub-Saharan Africa. 87 percent of AIDS cases in the world are women in Sub-Sahara Africa. We visited AAMIE in Ouihagouya and heard their stories. They come from all over the country to the northern city because of the support this center offers. There is treatment and they are better but they want a cure. They said that will make a huge difference in how many people actually get tested.
Education is key. Research is key. Donations to help subsidize the treatments is key so more can live. Join in the celebration of World AIDS Day on December 1st.
SIDA (or AIDS in English) has infected too many women in Sub-Saharan Africa. 87 percent of AIDS cases in the world are women in Sub-Sahara Africa. We visited AAMIE in Ouihagouya and heard their stories. They come from all over the country to the northern city because of the support this center offers. There is treatment and they are better but they want a cure. They said that will make a huge difference in how many people actually get tested.
Education is key. Research is key. Donations to help subsidize the treatments is key so more can live. Join in the celebration of World AIDS Day on December 1st.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Amina
Thank you for this opportunity. I feel blessed to be here. I have already grown and learned alot. My transition has been much less difficult than expected. I have made friends and am learning the customs and cultural norms quickly. Most importantly, the Burkinabè want me here. They want to work with me to create a better country for their people. I pray our partnership is successful. I pray we change lives. Thank you for this blessing.
Amina.
***
Amina is the response you give after a blessing or pray (It is a Moorè word). It is equivalent to Amen. We often receive blessings here, people wishing us a good stay and that God watches over us. I love it!
***
On Sunday, me and my friend went to Church in Sissamba. Most villagers (like 95 percent) of Sissamba are Muslim and their is a mosque in every neighborhood. I was nervous my host dad would be upset I was going. (Now I am not telling the whole truth. He invited me to have breakfast with them and I said no I have to go and I already ate. Umm, Karla that is a no no. Plus I told him I was going to the Baptism of my friend's host cousin. I said nothing about Church. So on my way to church when his friend asked where I was going and I said church, that is when I got nervous. That is the whole story.) So that is why I was nervous. The Burkinabè are open to all religions. They expect you to attend each religion's parties, holidays and celebrations.
The church service was good. Good music, good Word, good energy. It is a Catholic church and the guest preacher studied in Ghana so he translated the Moorè sermon into English (very cool). Next time I am in Sissamba on a Sunday, I'll go back.
Amina.
***
Amina is the response you give after a blessing or pray (It is a Moorè word). It is equivalent to Amen. We often receive blessings here, people wishing us a good stay and that God watches over us. I love it!
***
On Sunday, me and my friend went to Church in Sissamba. Most villagers (like 95 percent) of Sissamba are Muslim and their is a mosque in every neighborhood. I was nervous my host dad would be upset I was going. (Now I am not telling the whole truth. He invited me to have breakfast with them and I said no I have to go and I already ate. Umm, Karla that is a no no. Plus I told him I was going to the Baptism of my friend's host cousin. I said nothing about Church. So on my way to church when his friend asked where I was going and I said church, that is when I got nervous. That is the whole story.) So that is why I was nervous. The Burkinabè are open to all religions. They expect you to attend each religion's parties, holidays and celebrations.
The church service was good. Good music, good Word, good energy. It is a Catholic church and the guest preacher studied in Ghana so he translated the Moorè sermon into English (very cool). Next time I am in Sissamba on a Sunday, I'll go back.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
"KM, we have a new president"
I have heard (rather read) these words many times over the past week. People are motivated, inspired, overwhelmed, overjoyed... one Burkinabè newspaper had an article written about it, how Black peoples' blood was not spilled in vain, how big a deal this is for the world.
We have a new president. America has a new president. I am an American, yet I feel so disconnected.
We begged, pleaded, and were finally allowed to stay at the training center so we could have access to a TV on election night. I stayed up all night to watch it, which meant I was barely "present" the next day in class. I watched in French, a language I am still a novice in especially when watching a international broadcast on politics. I stared at the maps and looked at the electoral results. I cheered as Obama won more and more states... then I fell asleep, it was 3:45am. When I woke at 7, I was told we had a new president. I was happy, I am happy, but I think I would feel different if I was in the states.
Maybe its because I was not able to watch CNN for the weeks leading up to the monumental event... or that I could not correnspond with my politico buddies to talk about all the details and stats and the stuff many people here find boring... maybe its because I was not with my friends and family who are celebrating not only something major for the country but also for our race...maybe I am just exhausted from everything being so new and different that I can't contribute as much energy to celebrating as I typically would...
Or maybe it's just not a surprise. I always knew he would win, I always knew this day would come, so I already celebrated while I was in the states attending events, donating funds, etc. Maybe.
One thing is for sure- things will definitely be different now. They will be better.
We have a new president. America has a new president. I am an American, yet I feel so disconnected.
We begged, pleaded, and were finally allowed to stay at the training center so we could have access to a TV on election night. I stayed up all night to watch it, which meant I was barely "present" the next day in class. I watched in French, a language I am still a novice in especially when watching a international broadcast on politics. I stared at the maps and looked at the electoral results. I cheered as Obama won more and more states... then I fell asleep, it was 3:45am. When I woke at 7, I was told we had a new president. I was happy, I am happy, but I think I would feel different if I was in the states.
Maybe its because I was not able to watch CNN for the weeks leading up to the monumental event... or that I could not correnspond with my politico buddies to talk about all the details and stats and the stuff many people here find boring... maybe its because I was not with my friends and family who are celebrating not only something major for the country but also for our race...maybe I am just exhausted from everything being so new and different that I can't contribute as much energy to celebrating as I typically would...
Or maybe it's just not a surprise. I always knew he would win, I always knew this day would come, so I already celebrated while I was in the states attending events, donating funds, etc. Maybe.
One thing is for sure- things will definitely be different now. They will be better.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
My Site Assignment
Congratulations! You are going to the village of...
Welcome to this beautiful site in the region of ... and the health district of .... You wanted a welcoming community, you got it! The COGES and CSPS staff are welcoming as well and very excited to have you. You have a Peace Corps Trainee mate nearby at Koumtouega and one PC Secondary Education volunteer, An Le, who is also close. You can find anything you need in Garango, just 6km away and you'll have many luxuries in your spacious "Villa Style" house- including your own flush toilet!!
***
Yesterday I received this description during our site assignment ceremony. I am moving to East Burkina Faso where there is plenty of fish, lakes, and more greenery. It is hard to find more detailed descriptions but this is what I know:
- flush toilet (I dont have one now so this is major)
-they have a lot of arts and crafts groups
-I am close to other volunteers
That's it! I will have two years to learn of the communities many treasures so it should be fun.
Welcome to this beautiful site in the region of ... and the health district of .... You wanted a welcoming community, you got it! The COGES and CSPS staff are welcoming as well and very excited to have you. You have a Peace Corps Trainee mate nearby at Koumtouega and one PC Secondary Education volunteer, An Le, who is also close. You can find anything you need in Garango, just 6km away and you'll have many luxuries in your spacious "Villa Style" house- including your own flush toilet!!
***
Yesterday I received this description during our site assignment ceremony. I am moving to East Burkina Faso where there is plenty of fish, lakes, and more greenery. It is hard to find more detailed descriptions but this is what I know:
- flush toilet (I dont have one now so this is major)
-they have a lot of arts and crafts groups
-I am close to other volunteers
That's it! I will have two years to learn of the communities many treasures so it should be fun.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Doesn’t feel like the motherland
Maybe it is just me but I have always heard “go to Africa, go to the homeland of your ancestors. You will be welcomed with open arms.” I could see that being the case in a touristy spot but in Burkina Faso not so (well not my experience anyway). It maybe that I am in a small village, but I definitely feel like a foreigner.
On our first night in Ouahigouya, we had a welcome party with musicians and dancing. Of course I was in heaven. I danced and danced and danced. No one could have told me it did not look natural. Afterwards a gentleman approached me and said “Welcome home my sister, welcome to Africa.” And then, he tried to sell me some cheap jewelry.
Since then, no one has said anything about my black skin. No one has welcomed me or made me feel any different than the other Caucasian American Peace Corps trainees. We are all “Nasaros” (foreigners). None of us belong. All of us struggle with French and integration. All of us plan to stay for only 2, maybe 3 years- we are all visitors. Its not bad, just different because I’ve never seen myself as anything other than a black girl.
On our first night in Ouahigouya, we had a welcome party with musicians and dancing. Of course I was in heaven. I danced and danced and danced. No one could have told me it did not look natural. Afterwards a gentleman approached me and said “Welcome home my sister, welcome to Africa.” And then, he tried to sell me some cheap jewelry.
Since then, no one has said anything about my black skin. No one has welcomed me or made me feel any different than the other Caucasian American Peace Corps trainees. We are all “Nasaros” (foreigners). None of us belong. All of us struggle with French and integration. All of us plan to stay for only 2, maybe 3 years- we are all visitors. Its not bad, just different because I’ve never seen myself as anything other than a black girl.
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