I'm in my room right now doing this entry from my REI Bug Hut2 (best purchase ever!) naked, covered in smoldering sweat as I vigorously fan myself.
It's my 2nd night in Bo with my host family. They have been gracious enough to invite me into their home and claim me as one of their own "pikin" (child). I met them at the adoption ceremony which was a lotto of sorts where they announced the match and a Sierra Leonean family can take home their very own "opoto" (white person). As we walked home, my Mama Kenyah held my hand as mi broda Simbul toted my 40lb gear bag on his head like it was a paperbag of feathers, lol. We took the long way home so the Simbo family can showcase their new American daughter. When I got home, I met my Papa Viktor and he gave me my African name: Kenyah Mami Simbo which is the name of his 1st wife, 2nd wife, and of course his family name "Simbo". Receiving this name is very important for integration so that that the community will recognize me as part of a family unit and pretty much so they won't f**k with me bc I'm not some rando stranger wandering about.
We did some more strolling. It was awkward, people staring, kids following, my "mother" and "sisters" holding my hand. My 9yr old sister, Genevieve was practically hanging off my arm and was rubbing the back of my hand against her cheek as we passed by other kids as if she was like: "Hey check out my shiny new toy, imported from America" lol. Everyone knows I'm not the touchy-feely type so I'm trying to adjust to all the hugging and hand holding, when in Rome.......I guess......
During dinner, the guest eats first and typically alone. I told them I wanted to eat with them like a Sierra Leonean family so they brought me outside to the courtyard to eat at at the same time as my "father" which is supposedly regarded as a high honor (something I found out the next day). As I quietly ate in the dark, my mother, 2nd mother, and kids all stared right at
me.....awkward. I mean, yes, we were warned about this but I guess it's different when you experience the fishbowl effect. I tried to keep things light by engaging in some dinner conversation to practice my Krio, the next day I learned in class that Sierra Leoneans do not engage in convos at the dinner table and eat in silence. Whoopsies, fucked up on that one, lol.
Walking to and from school, I am an oddity so the best thing I can do is smile and greet them "Kushe O!" I don't really blame them, it's the provinces so theres nothing else better to do and many of them have never seen an American before.
The house is alot nicer than I expected. They have a living room with couches, tv, DVD, stereo, lights, and outlets for when they run the generator. The latrine is just practically 10ft away from the house. Not gonna lie, the latrine has given me some performance anxiety as I have yet to drop a poo, so far I've managed a pee, standing up with one leg hiked up on the seat. I actually have it better than other of my PC folks who have the traditional hole in the ground. I hate sounding like a spoiled American but I can't help it if I had been conditioned since birth by my mother to maintain a bathroom so clean you can lick the toilet bowl.....not literally but you what I mean. So there's an adjustment phase, I will make do.
All in all though, this has been a surreal experience, so far from my "SSDD" days. Walking is an adventure in itself being greeted my children left & right. Krio lessons outside as chickens and their chicks pass through underneath the easel board.
Mama Kenyah took me to her church for choir practice, the church walls were made of woven basket material with a tin roof. There were no lights, so in practically pitch black darkness, the choir started dancing and singing in Mende in preparation for Sunday's service as the rain came pouring down pounding on the roof with flashes of lightning. I can't believe I'm really in Africa sometimes, so not SSDD!
I am humbled that this simple Mende family took me in and treated me as one of their own with what little they have. I feel guilty when I complain but I am only human and creature of habit used to my western luxuries. There is a transition phase, I understand this, so I am just rolling with the punches and "focusing on the small wins" as Peace Corps Program Managers like to say.
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