So school has locked for the holidays and I'm now in Freetown for an "up in the air" duration. There are alot of options but for now, the gameplan is be here in Freetown and somewhere in there sneak in some Bureh beach.
So a number of things have happened since my last posting.......
Right before OLGSS took off for break we had an awesome time on our founders day, Dec 12. It was the day the Clarissan sisters arrived in Salone from Mexico back in the 1960s. All the girls had all these crazy gorgeous plants and they were allowed to accessorize so all their usual uniform looks were upgraded with hairclips and such. We hired a marching band to lead us as we marched all over Lunsar alongside our sister schools: the primary school and Maria Ines SS. The girls were so proud being Guadalupe girls as they sang and danced throughout the dirt streets of Lunsar. Adding this to my log book of happy Peace Corps moments, lol. No lie, it's true. How can I not be happy. A bit surreal, I suppose. I could be sitting in a cubicle now, but I'm not. This is my reality now and I'm loving it.
Africa and poverty also brings in the darker side of things because it's not always children dancing in the streets. I was in Makeni for the past week for In-Service-Training (IST), the 2nd milestone in our 27 month service. It was great seeing everyone and catching up on each other's sites. Along with seeing how everyone has changed since Day1 in Philadelphia. We're a lot dirtier and there's alot of long hair beard action from the guys, lol. But we look great! More "integrated" I suppose, lol.
Anyways, my point was..........
Poverty can sway some people to make bad choices. I was out by the clock tower in Makeni grabbing some street meat from a stand and some asshole rips my bag from my arm and takes off. Just by pure reaction, I immediately turn around and run after him yelling "tifman de de, red shirt". I was hoping that someone would give a shit and stop him but as with any big city, people just look. My adrenaline was pumping and I ran into the dark streets of Makeni and the tifman turned a corner into a narrow alley and disappeared into the darkness. I had to stop myself from running in, that would be a stupid idea.
So instead I yelled at the crowd of people that gathered around me because I knew that they knew the asshole that stole my shit. I told them that I don't give a fuck about the damn money or the camera and they should feel like shit because all that mattered to me were the pictures of them.....of Salone. I went on this tirade saying that I came to this country to teach their children for nothing and fucked up shit like this happens. Whatever, I'm so fucking over it. I'm alive, I wasn't injured. The only injury I had was my feelings and my pride. I swear to god I'm freaking paranoid about getting tiffed all the time but the split second I am not paying attention to order some street meat, this jackass nabs my shit, whatever, it's just things, it's replaceable. I was just really bummed out because I didn't backup my files before I went to Makeni and some major events were on that camera: the boarding home Xmas party & the OLGSS founders day.
You know, there's assholes all over the world and I have no control over that. I just believe in karma. That stupidfuck will get his fair share of bad karma. He's gonna get hit by an okada, lose his legs, get a sexually transmitted disease where his penis will melt off and then die a slow excruciating death from internal bleeding. FUCK YOU ASSHOLE......ok rant done, I'm so over it, I'm still alive.
Assholes exist worldwide, and a tiny incident like this hardly puts a dent on how I feel about Salone. The good outweighs the bad. In all that craziness, some kid picked up my bread off the ground and gave it back to me. I mean it was obviously dirty but it's the thought that counts. Even today, on my way to Freetown, this guy I rode out with from Lunsar chartered a motokar all the way to Lumley and dropped me off right in front of Peace Corps Headquarters. The driver was charging him Le15,000 and I tried to give him Le5000 for the ride but he refused. That was really nice of him. Good karma. I gave him a hug and wished him a Merry Christmas.
The good outweighs the bad.......
Salone, you are far from perfect but, I still love you.....
Friday, December 28, 2012
12/09/12-Has 1/2 A Year Really Gone By?
I reached my 6 month mark here in Sierra Leone this past Friday. Time sure does fly fast nowadays. I feel like I just got here when in fact I've been living here for half a year!
I really have to be thankful because I'm happy and I've gotten everything I asked for, if not more. I remember sitting at my Peace Corps interview back in March 2011 and the recruiter asked me where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do. I said that my #1 choice was Africa and I wanted to work in the education sector with children. I also told the recruiter that I was willing to go to anywhere and do any job but my biggest preference was warm climate and luxury preference was to be close to a large body of water. So here I am, in Africa, teaching kids, next to the Atlantic Ocean with a plethora of untouched beautiful beach territory. On top of things, I'm here in Sierra Leone taking part of the early Peace Corps groups returning since the war.
I think alot of my happiness has to do with me wanting a do-over with New Orleans. I took NOLA for granted while I lived there and bitched and complained about how the Bay Area had this & that and how NOLA didn't. It wasn't until the day I left when I realized how awesome NOLA was and how I had a great life there. I felt terrible for taking the place for granted. So from that day, I promised myself that if I were to live somewhere outside the Bay Area again that I wouldn't constantly compare and be more appreciative of what that place had to offer. That's why I love it here in Salone. I love it for what it is and I don't think too much about what it isn't.
So we'll see what the next 21 months will bring me. The US Ambassador to Sierra Leone was in Lunsar the other day and decided to visit me at my school. He seemed to have taken an interest to my pitch about the computer lab upgrades. So hopefully,
I can get some movement and turn it into a successful secondary project.
Projects aside, it's great being here. I really enjoy teaching and I love how the girls all call me "Ms. Paskal". It's great going around Lunsar hearing my girls call out my name just to say hi. And what a great way to celebrate my 6 month mark......I was invited to the Boarding Home Christmas Party. We had couscous with chicken, there was music and dancing. I even found some watercolors and did face painting on the girls, they loved it. The girls would grab me left and right wanting me to dance with them. I had a great time. Definitely had those Peace Corps warm fuzzy feelings inside. All of this is totally worth it.
Heres to the next 21 months........ <3 SALONE <3
I really have to be thankful because I'm happy and I've gotten everything I asked for, if not more. I remember sitting at my Peace Corps interview back in March 2011 and the recruiter asked me where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do. I said that my #1 choice was Africa and I wanted to work in the education sector with children. I also told the recruiter that I was willing to go to anywhere and do any job but my biggest preference was warm climate and luxury preference was to be close to a large body of water. So here I am, in Africa, teaching kids, next to the Atlantic Ocean with a plethora of untouched beautiful beach territory. On top of things, I'm here in Sierra Leone taking part of the early Peace Corps groups returning since the war.
I think alot of my happiness has to do with me wanting a do-over with New Orleans. I took NOLA for granted while I lived there and bitched and complained about how the Bay Area had this & that and how NOLA didn't. It wasn't until the day I left when I realized how awesome NOLA was and how I had a great life there. I felt terrible for taking the place for granted. So from that day, I promised myself that if I were to live somewhere outside the Bay Area again that I wouldn't constantly compare and be more appreciative of what that place had to offer. That's why I love it here in Salone. I love it for what it is and I don't think too much about what it isn't.
So we'll see what the next 21 months will bring me. The US Ambassador to Sierra Leone was in Lunsar the other day and decided to visit me at my school. He seemed to have taken an interest to my pitch about the computer lab upgrades. So hopefully,
I can get some movement and turn it into a successful secondary project.
Projects aside, it's great being here. I really enjoy teaching and I love how the girls all call me "Ms. Paskal". It's great going around Lunsar hearing my girls call out my name just to say hi. And what a great way to celebrate my 6 month mark......I was invited to the Boarding Home Christmas Party. We had couscous with chicken, there was music and dancing. I even found some watercolors and did face painting on the girls, they loved it. The girls would grab me left and right wanting me to dance with them. I had a great time. Definitely had those Peace Corps warm fuzzy feelings inside. All of this is totally worth it.
Heres to the next 21 months........ <3 SALONE <3
11/25/12-Black Friday Thanksgiving Weekend Crowded Mall Bazaar
Joe has really been testing my bike skills. I feel like he is upping the difficulty level everytime I go out for a ride with him. I reluctantly deal with it, I don't have a choice, he "sabis" the road pass me and the road is rough......so ya, no choice.
We headed south this time, to another one of Lunsar's neighboring villages. During our rides out, Joe and I pretty much just chat about anything. As we rode through the African bush, he reminded me that the American holiday shopping has officially begun. Only mentioning it b/c he bought his son a machete from a local blacksmith on Black Friday, lol.
So easy to forget these things when you're halfway across the globe. Just shows how irrelevant those things are in your life. Who fucking cares about Black Friday and their lame door buster deals, I'm cycling through the African bush right now!!! I know I can be a priss about the biking, but I am trying, lol. It always pays off in the end and this time around I was treated to a gorgeous view of a huge flowing river. Of course, we can't have an African village scene without the posse of children instantly gravitating towards us. I found it hilarious that this one small boy just straight up hugged me and clung on for dear life, lol. Pretty ballsy since they usually stare from a close but safe distance. God knows what these crazy opotos might do, haha. We headed off and the children ran after us, as usual, but this time one kid had his hand on my fender.....time to put the peddle to the metal.....sorry buddy you're not hopping on, lol.
So on these bike outings children always say things like:
- give me your bike
- give me money
This is aside from the "opoto" calls. But it was great, on the ride back from the river, this one boy about 12yrs old; he didn't ask for my bike, he didn't ask for money, he didn't even call me opoto. As we rode through his village he said: "Good afternoon, you are a very beautiful lady." Aw, how sweet was that?!?! Thanking his mama! That really made my day. I'll take that over any door buster deal from Target.
I've quickly adapted to life here in Salone and it's really hard to remember the details of this supposed life I lived in America. The only thing that sticks out and is truly important are the relationships.......my family and friends. That's something to be thankful about......family and friends. OK, and fine, the food, the food is also hard to forget, lol.
I spent a shitload of time bitching and complaining about this "daily grind" and now I can barely remember it. Out of sight, out of mind. It kinda scares me that I wasted years on something eating me inside just because I was just trying to do what I thought I was supposed to do when I "grew up". The even more scary part is how quickly I forgot, that tells me, that it was never really relevant to begin with........sticking a square peg into a round hole.
Something to think about as you pull out of that crowded mall parking structure with your trunk loaded with literal "stuff". It's all about family and friends. Don't forget it.
Here I am, all the way in a small West African country and all I can remember about life in America is laughing and happiness with family and friends. (ok fine, and delicious food too)
It's all about family and friends. Thank you Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Furture, lol.
We headed south this time, to another one of Lunsar's neighboring villages. During our rides out, Joe and I pretty much just chat about anything. As we rode through the African bush, he reminded me that the American holiday shopping has officially begun. Only mentioning it b/c he bought his son a machete from a local blacksmith on Black Friday, lol.
So easy to forget these things when you're halfway across the globe. Just shows how irrelevant those things are in your life. Who fucking cares about Black Friday and their lame door buster deals, I'm cycling through the African bush right now!!! I know I can be a priss about the biking, but I am trying, lol. It always pays off in the end and this time around I was treated to a gorgeous view of a huge flowing river. Of course, we can't have an African village scene without the posse of children instantly gravitating towards us. I found it hilarious that this one small boy just straight up hugged me and clung on for dear life, lol. Pretty ballsy since they usually stare from a close but safe distance. God knows what these crazy opotos might do, haha. We headed off and the children ran after us, as usual, but this time one kid had his hand on my fender.....time to put the peddle to the metal.....sorry buddy you're not hopping on, lol.
So on these bike outings children always say things like:
- give me your bike
- give me money
This is aside from the "opoto" calls. But it was great, on the ride back from the river, this one boy about 12yrs old; he didn't ask for my bike, he didn't ask for money, he didn't even call me opoto. As we rode through his village he said: "Good afternoon, you are a very beautiful lady." Aw, how sweet was that?!?! Thanking his mama! That really made my day. I'll take that over any door buster deal from Target.
I've quickly adapted to life here in Salone and it's really hard to remember the details of this supposed life I lived in America. The only thing that sticks out and is truly important are the relationships.......my family and friends. That's something to be thankful about......family and friends. OK, and fine, the food, the food is also hard to forget, lol.
I spent a shitload of time bitching and complaining about this "daily grind" and now I can barely remember it. Out of sight, out of mind. It kinda scares me that I wasted years on something eating me inside just because I was just trying to do what I thought I was supposed to do when I "grew up". The even more scary part is how quickly I forgot, that tells me, that it was never really relevant to begin with........sticking a square peg into a round hole.
Something to think about as you pull out of that crowded mall parking structure with your trunk loaded with literal "stuff". It's all about family and friends. Don't forget it.
Here I am, all the way in a small West African country and all I can remember about life in America is laughing and happiness with family and friends. (ok fine, and delicious food too)
It's all about family and friends. Thank you Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Furture, lol.
11/24/12-Results In.....APC Stays In Power
Everyone had their radios on this afternoon. The official NEC (National Election Committee) results came in and were being announced.
The APCs President Ernest Koroma is back in for his 2nd term. As they announced the official victory, I heard the entire town of Lunsar cheer in unison. Living amongst the Temnes in the north, I am in APC dominated territory. I'm sure the reaction was the complete opposite in my family's city, Bo. The Mendes voted for Maada Bio for their SLPP Party.
Children were parading up and down my street and singing songs about President Koroma's victory. For the most part, Lunsar seemed safe with the exception to the stupid okada boys zooming past crowds barely missing children on the street.......fucking idiots. I stayed home and just watched from my steps as a precaution. Right before the NEC results were announced over the radio, a mob of people got into a palava (argument/fight) in the middle of town which caused the market to close early. Better safe than sorry, simply being an observer from my veranda is good enough for me.
I'm sure the celebrations will continue throughout the weekend. I don't think staying under lock & key is really necessary; I'll just have to keep my eyes peeled for any situation that might pop up.
The APCs President Ernest Koroma is back in for his 2nd term. As they announced the official victory, I heard the entire town of Lunsar cheer in unison. Living amongst the Temnes in the north, I am in APC dominated territory. I'm sure the reaction was the complete opposite in my family's city, Bo. The Mendes voted for Maada Bio for their SLPP Party.
Children were parading up and down my street and singing songs about President Koroma's victory. For the most part, Lunsar seemed safe with the exception to the stupid okada boys zooming past crowds barely missing children on the street.......fucking idiots. I stayed home and just watched from my steps as a precaution. Right before the NEC results were announced over the radio, a mob of people got into a palava (argument/fight) in the middle of town which caused the market to close early. Better safe than sorry, simply being an observer from my veranda is good enough for me.
I'm sure the celebrations will continue throughout the weekend. I don't think staying under lock & key is really necessary; I'll just have to keep my eyes peeled for any situation that might pop up.
11/22/12-Rice & Plasas For Thanksgiving
I'm thankful for delicious tasty Thanksgiving food.
I had rice & plasas today.......what's new, lol.
Happy Thanksgving everyone! For my sake, please, please, please, please, eat 2nds, 3rds, and even 4ths on my behalf.
The national holiday of gluttony and treptophen induced coma should be celebrated accordingly.
Duya, a beg! Tenki!
Happy Thanksgiving :D
I had rice & plasas today.......what's new, lol.
Happy Thanksgving everyone! For my sake, please, please, please, please, eat 2nds, 3rds, and even 4ths on my behalf.
The national holiday of gluttony and treptophen induced coma should be celebrated accordingly.
Duya, a beg! Tenki!
Happy Thanksgiving :D
11/21/12-It's Hard To Stay Mad At Kids
My SS1 girls have been around for about 2 weeks now. My workload has increased to a legit full load of classes.......Peace Corps actually expected me to work?!?! Lol! WTF!?!
During most of Term1, I only taught all streams of SS3 once a week and would substitute all over the place so I never had that regular interaction with the same set of students. So here I am now, the core math teacher for SS1, all streams: art, commercial, semi-science, and pure science.
I have my good and my bad days with them. For the most part, I think I'm fairly strict but the girls seem to like me regardless, lol. I get really frustrated at times when I just feel like I'm talking to a room full of dead carcasses. It's hard but I know it's only because they are results from the rote teaching method.
My SS1 girls range anywhere from 14-18, the annoying defiant teenage stage, but it's hard to hate them, haha! I've grown to really love the girls at OLGSS. Everyday, I always hear a girl yell out, "Ms. Paskal!!!", waving their hand frantically at me, lol. I have them call me Ms. Paskal b/c Pascual was too difficult to pronounce. It's really cute, it's like, wow, these are MY girls. And now that I see my SS1 girls 4 times a week, I can see how the favorites start forming. They're not always necessarily the smartest ones either. This one girl Rebecca, she tells people that she loves me, asks me to be her mother at least once a day and when I'm teaching in the next classroom over she peeks in for god knows what reason, lol. Today, her class had a ghost teacher so she even snuck into my class even though I JUST taught her the previous period. I'm like, what in heck are you doing you crazy girl, get out if my class!!! Lol.
Rebecca is just one of the many stories. In the end, these girls are still just kids and they mean well. Sometimes I want to wring their necks when they act like crazy caged animals or silent dead cows, but they're kids......I love'em. Probably, the same goes with them. They seem to really love me even though I can be an überbitch most of the days, haha.
The principal is going to have me follow these girls to SS2 so I will be them for the next 2 years. I'm excited to really get to know these girls and hopefully I'll be able to teach them some Math too, lol.
During most of Term1, I only taught all streams of SS3 once a week and would substitute all over the place so I never had that regular interaction with the same set of students. So here I am now, the core math teacher for SS1, all streams: art, commercial, semi-science, and pure science.
I have my good and my bad days with them. For the most part, I think I'm fairly strict but the girls seem to like me regardless, lol. I get really frustrated at times when I just feel like I'm talking to a room full of dead carcasses. It's hard but I know it's only because they are results from the rote teaching method.
My SS1 girls range anywhere from 14-18, the annoying defiant teenage stage, but it's hard to hate them, haha! I've grown to really love the girls at OLGSS. Everyday, I always hear a girl yell out, "Ms. Paskal!!!", waving their hand frantically at me, lol. I have them call me Ms. Paskal b/c Pascual was too difficult to pronounce. It's really cute, it's like, wow, these are MY girls. And now that I see my SS1 girls 4 times a week, I can see how the favorites start forming. They're not always necessarily the smartest ones either. This one girl Rebecca, she tells people that she loves me, asks me to be her mother at least once a day and when I'm teaching in the next classroom over she peeks in for god knows what reason, lol. Today, her class had a ghost teacher so she even snuck into my class even though I JUST taught her the previous period. I'm like, what in heck are you doing you crazy girl, get out if my class!!! Lol.
Rebecca is just one of the many stories. In the end, these girls are still just kids and they mean well. Sometimes I want to wring their necks when they act like crazy caged animals or silent dead cows, but they're kids......I love'em. Probably, the same goes with them. They seem to really love me even though I can be an überbitch most of the days, haha.
The principal is going to have me follow these girls to SS2 so I will be them for the next 2 years. I'm excited to really get to know these girls and hopefully I'll be able to teach them some Math too, lol.
11/20/12-Voting For Sierra Leone
Democracy is a wonderful thing. It was great to see the citizens of Sierra Leone excercising their right to vote.
My school was used as one of the polling stations. I walked over to OLGSS to do a little program with the boarding school girls and also to get a sneak peek at the voting process. Everyone was all lined up and smiling, excited to vote for their country's future. Sierra Leoneans are notorious for "black man time", as they call it, lol. For the first time, I witnessed Sierra Leoneans not just on time but EARLY!!!! The polling stations opened at 7am and long lines formed at 4am at many places. Things in this country are generally handled in a loud, unorganized, and chaotic way but everyone was quietly lined up, organized, and sorted to their voting booths. I swear, I'm in Bizarroland, where the fuck am I?!?! Lol. But it was great, it just showed me how much Sierra Leoneans want to move forward from their dark past.
So now, we play the waiting game. Based on unofficial results, supposedly, the APC's President Koroma is back for another term. The official results should come in about Tuesday. Everything seems quiet and peaceful for now, it'll be a wait and see. I just kept saying to everyone that I wish for a peaceful election b/c it will keep me in this country. My opinion is that I think there will be pockets of violence in certain politically heated regions like Kono, Kenema, and Kailahun but I highly doubt there will be nationwide political unrest. So I think I'm good where I am in Lunsar. Besides, I'm in a big town with supplies, I'm by a main highway, and I can access the airport in a fairly timely manner if need be.
For the meantime, I just proceed as is and continue to do my thing in Lunsar and work at OLGSS. Many of the schools closed down for elections with exception to Lunsar where all the schools only closed on Friday & Monday........it makes sense to me. The elections shouldn't affect a child's education. Besides, this is the last week of school and we start Term1 examinations next week. After that, we submit grades and then we're off for the holidays.
So here I am, simply an observer for Sierra Leone's elections. In the end, a Sierra Leonean will be the president for the country of Sierra Leone. Good Luck Salone! :)
My school was used as one of the polling stations. I walked over to OLGSS to do a little program with the boarding school girls and also to get a sneak peek at the voting process. Everyone was all lined up and smiling, excited to vote for their country's future. Sierra Leoneans are notorious for "black man time", as they call it, lol. For the first time, I witnessed Sierra Leoneans not just on time but EARLY!!!! The polling stations opened at 7am and long lines formed at 4am at many places. Things in this country are generally handled in a loud, unorganized, and chaotic way but everyone was quietly lined up, organized, and sorted to their voting booths. I swear, I'm in Bizarroland, where the fuck am I?!?! Lol. But it was great, it just showed me how much Sierra Leoneans want to move forward from their dark past.
So now, we play the waiting game. Based on unofficial results, supposedly, the APC's President Koroma is back for another term. The official results should come in about Tuesday. Everything seems quiet and peaceful for now, it'll be a wait and see. I just kept saying to everyone that I wish for a peaceful election b/c it will keep me in this country. My opinion is that I think there will be pockets of violence in certain politically heated regions like Kono, Kenema, and Kailahun but I highly doubt there will be nationwide political unrest. So I think I'm good where I am in Lunsar. Besides, I'm in a big town with supplies, I'm by a main highway, and I can access the airport in a fairly timely manner if need be.
For the meantime, I just proceed as is and continue to do my thing in Lunsar and work at OLGSS. Many of the schools closed down for elections with exception to Lunsar where all the schools only closed on Friday & Monday........it makes sense to me. The elections shouldn't affect a child's education. Besides, this is the last week of school and we start Term1 examinations next week. After that, we submit grades and then we're off for the holidays.
So here I am, simply an observer for Sierra Leone's elections. In the end, a Sierra Leonean will be the president for the country of Sierra Leone. Good Luck Salone! :)
11/11/12-An Unspoiled Beauty
It felt like it was straight out of a movie.......fucking ridiculous, really!
I spent this past weekend at Bureh Beach. I've been to alot of beaches all over the world and I have to say that this is definitely in my Top 5. It was straight out of a post card......fucking ridiculous, really........
Micheal and I rode out to Bureh Town where we were welcomed by a local fisherman. We make our way down the hill and walk through the village. Like some magical village fisherman, he extends his arm and points out between the trees and goes, "Welcome to Bureh Beach." My mouth drops open out of disbelief......are you fucking kidding me?!?! It's gorgeous here!!! I felt like Alice when she peeked through that tiny door and saw the queen's beautiful garden in Wonderland........I had to get in!
I step into this unspoiled beach paradise surrounded by lush green African bush. The warm waters of the Atlantic wave through soft powdery sand and crash against large black granite rocks. Off into the distance, I see I some of my Peace Corps buddies walking towards my direction. Excited for the reunion, we run up and group hug. They lead us to the one and only beach shack run by the villagers. For Le30,000 (~$6), you can pitch a tent on the sand, Le15,000 for me b/c I shared my tent. Or, just sleep out in the public beach area for FREE. The fact that my Bug Hut tent didn't have a rainfly, the $3 was worth pitching my tent under a thatch hut and have Prince Williams (the manager) keep an eye on our gear. The money goes towards the villagers and the upkeep of the beach, money well spent.
We spent most of the weekend frolicking in the ocean, lounging on the sand, or napping on the hammocks in the palava huts. I almost forgot what "relaxed" felt like but, I definitely remembered again. I must've gone skinny dipping like half a dozen times in one day........so liberating to not just give a fuck and splash around the ocean in your birthday suit. To be able to just wear my bikini all day or not wear anything at all was just a great break from my "Christian Missionary" wardrobe and to not have to worry about people staring at my tattoos and asking if it is a stamp.
We dined on oysters and fish, fresh out of the ocean. Am I food-gasming here in Salone??? I am! Most of our meals though, consisted of the food we packed or the cheap, but good, fry-fry that the lady was selling in the village. Peace Corps has put me back on college budget status again, so splurging on one fine meal will have to do.
The evening was just too beautiful. We all stripped down and headed into the ocean under the night sky covered with stars. Stars that I never see because of light pollution but here in Africa, this is what my night-sky looks like, unspoiled. The water was warm & welcoming; and for the first time, I experienced phosphorescence. As we moved through the ocean, our bodies gave off this light, or phosphorescence, like a soft green light emanating from our skin. It was just too beautiful........the whole experience.
I slept well through the night with the sounds of crashing waves. Beat that, "Sleep Sounds" iPhone App!!! The real thing is so much better, lol!
All good things must come to an end, I unfortunately had to be a responsible adult and leave the next day to meet the SS1 girls arriving on Monday. These are moments where I hate working at one of the most functional schools in the country, haha.
I wanted to soak-in Bureh Beach one last time before I left so I walked along the other side of the beach that was even more secluded. It was just me on this long strip of sand and a fisherman making a boat far off on one end. I sat on a rock and inhaled the ocean air as the waves wet my feet beckoning me to come back in and to not go home. I fight the urge knowing that I'll be back soon.
Gat Damned Fucking Beautiful.........
I spent this past weekend at Bureh Beach. I've been to alot of beaches all over the world and I have to say that this is definitely in my Top 5. It was straight out of a post card......fucking ridiculous, really........
Micheal and I rode out to Bureh Town where we were welcomed by a local fisherman. We make our way down the hill and walk through the village. Like some magical village fisherman, he extends his arm and points out between the trees and goes, "Welcome to Bureh Beach." My mouth drops open out of disbelief......are you fucking kidding me?!?! It's gorgeous here!!! I felt like Alice when she peeked through that tiny door and saw the queen's beautiful garden in Wonderland........I had to get in!
I step into this unspoiled beach paradise surrounded by lush green African bush. The warm waters of the Atlantic wave through soft powdery sand and crash against large black granite rocks. Off into the distance, I see I some of my Peace Corps buddies walking towards my direction. Excited for the reunion, we run up and group hug. They lead us to the one and only beach shack run by the villagers. For Le30,000 (~$6), you can pitch a tent on the sand, Le15,000 for me b/c I shared my tent. Or, just sleep out in the public beach area for FREE. The fact that my Bug Hut tent didn't have a rainfly, the $3 was worth pitching my tent under a thatch hut and have Prince Williams (the manager) keep an eye on our gear. The money goes towards the villagers and the upkeep of the beach, money well spent.
We spent most of the weekend frolicking in the ocean, lounging on the sand, or napping on the hammocks in the palava huts. I almost forgot what "relaxed" felt like but, I definitely remembered again. I must've gone skinny dipping like half a dozen times in one day........so liberating to not just give a fuck and splash around the ocean in your birthday suit. To be able to just wear my bikini all day or not wear anything at all was just a great break from my "Christian Missionary" wardrobe and to not have to worry about people staring at my tattoos and asking if it is a stamp.
We dined on oysters and fish, fresh out of the ocean. Am I food-gasming here in Salone??? I am! Most of our meals though, consisted of the food we packed or the cheap, but good, fry-fry that the lady was selling in the village. Peace Corps has put me back on college budget status again, so splurging on one fine meal will have to do.
The evening was just too beautiful. We all stripped down and headed into the ocean under the night sky covered with stars. Stars that I never see because of light pollution but here in Africa, this is what my night-sky looks like, unspoiled. The water was warm & welcoming; and for the first time, I experienced phosphorescence. As we moved through the ocean, our bodies gave off this light, or phosphorescence, like a soft green light emanating from our skin. It was just too beautiful........the whole experience.
I slept well through the night with the sounds of crashing waves. Beat that, "Sleep Sounds" iPhone App!!! The real thing is so much better, lol!
All good things must come to an end, I unfortunately had to be a responsible adult and leave the next day to meet the SS1 girls arriving on Monday. These are moments where I hate working at one of the most functional schools in the country, haha.
I wanted to soak-in Bureh Beach one last time before I left so I walked along the other side of the beach that was even more secluded. It was just me on this long strip of sand and a fisherman making a boat far off on one end. I sat on a rock and inhaled the ocean air as the waves wet my feet beckoning me to come back in and to not go home. I fight the urge knowing that I'll be back soon.
Gat Damned Fucking Beautiful.........
11/07/12-An Older Perspective & Little Italy via Chemende
I've befriended a guy named Joe, a volunteer for a bicycle NGO here in Lunsar. I feel like I was meant to meet this guy as part of my journey of finding myself, happiness, or whatever it is I'm hoping to find here in Africa.
Joe is an author originally from the Bronx but is now living in a small village south of France with his wife and kids. Now in his 50s, he has lived a colorful life of travel and adventure and continues to do so. He had the balls to give the big F-U to the "American Dream" facade that many of us, including myself, have signed up for. I've really enjoyed his company and hearing his stories of travel on a bicycle, meeting his wife in Nepal, and his lovely self-sustaining French village. In meeting him, it reassures my feelings towards sitting in a cubicle, living in a beige home in the suburbs next to a shopping center with a Starbucks, and living forever in debt...........things that just make me feel trapped in this Stepford Groundhog's Day. It doesn't have to be that way. I mean, to each their own, but for me, I can't be happy that way and coming to Salone was my first step to changing that. Joe is a great example of happily living "off the grid" and doing it on his terms. I want that, I want to strive for that.
Joe's here for another month so I will enjoy his company in the meantime and make use of my bike to check out the neighboring villages of Lunsar.
This past Sunday we biked out to Chemende to talk to Boss K. Really, it was more for the bike project and I was just there for the great ride through the African bush. So interesting to see the impact foreigners have on small villages. I'm so used to children chanting "Opoto!" or "Hello!" in this really weird high pitched voice as their way to mimic the American accent, lol. As we biked towards Chemende, there was clearly a strong Italian influence.......everyone was saying "Ciao!", lol. Uh ok Buon Giornno??? Lol! Aside from the Italian curveball, the scene was pretty much similar to my bike ride to Kamasundo. Topless old grannies with their sagging boobs down to their waist and hoards of half naked children chasing us on our bikes as we try to dodge chickens, goats, and ditches, haha!
We finally arrived in Chemende where we met Boss K and also acquired an entire posse of children that followed us like a shadow throughout the village. So funny how I'm used to the children staring and following, lol. They would all try to cut each other off so they could be the closest to my bike to have the opportunity to touch the back fender as we walked through the bush to the village school made from handwoven grass. The school had a hole on the side wall, the goats had started eating the school, haha.
Part of Sierra Leonean hospitality is offering your guest a chair. Often, they INSIST on you sitting down, they don't let you stay standing up, no matter how much you INSIST on standing, haha. Boss K had already arranged on having chairs put under the shade of the tree next to the school. So we sit down to talk business as we become swallowed by a hoard of village children who quietly sit and observe "di opoto dem". Joe & Boss K talk shop as I smile and wave to these curious rugrats. In Temne, I would ask "Nes a mua?" and they would tell me their names and they'd giggle when I would say, "Mine yi Yainkain." This one girl, Mariama would give biggest smile whenever we made eye contact. How cute is all of this, really. It was, haha, you still get poster picture Peace Corps kumbaya moments, lol.
When Boss K found out that I was an OLGSS teacher, he showed me one of my JSS1 girls, Kadiatu. She walks the 7+ miles to school everyday to and from Chemende. So right now, we're looking into getting her registered for the bike program to ease her commute a bit.
We wrapped things up and I slathered on another layer of sunscreen as the children curiously watched me. I was about to put the sunscreen back in my bag then I saw Mariama smile at me again with her huge white teeth and I decided to give her a little dollop. She rubbed it on her arms, copying me. Mariama was the center of attention as all her friends circled around her and sniffed her arms. All you heard where kiddie whisperings of "Eeeeehhh....Ofolfol...." which means "nice smell" in Khathemne.
We head out and all the kids give us a double thumbs up and their biggest smiles. The thumbs-up, Joe's doing, he taught them this, lol. This village will be "thumbs-upping" for generations, haha. As we slowly bike away, the children start running after us and laughing. It's all great at first but then they start catching up and it starts transitioning to more like a horror flick chase scene, lol. So this is the part where we pick up the pace to prevent kids from jumping onto our bikes because YES, they will do that, lol. We speed off, wave goodbye and head back into Lunsar town to end our day with some couscous at a local kukri.
Joe is an author originally from the Bronx but is now living in a small village south of France with his wife and kids. Now in his 50s, he has lived a colorful life of travel and adventure and continues to do so. He had the balls to give the big F-U to the "American Dream" facade that many of us, including myself, have signed up for. I've really enjoyed his company and hearing his stories of travel on a bicycle, meeting his wife in Nepal, and his lovely self-sustaining French village. In meeting him, it reassures my feelings towards sitting in a cubicle, living in a beige home in the suburbs next to a shopping center with a Starbucks, and living forever in debt...........things that just make me feel trapped in this Stepford Groundhog's Day. It doesn't have to be that way. I mean, to each their own, but for me, I can't be happy that way and coming to Salone was my first step to changing that. Joe is a great example of happily living "off the grid" and doing it on his terms. I want that, I want to strive for that.
Joe's here for another month so I will enjoy his company in the meantime and make use of my bike to check out the neighboring villages of Lunsar.
This past Sunday we biked out to Chemende to talk to Boss K. Really, it was more for the bike project and I was just there for the great ride through the African bush. So interesting to see the impact foreigners have on small villages. I'm so used to children chanting "Opoto!" or "Hello!" in this really weird high pitched voice as their way to mimic the American accent, lol. As we biked towards Chemende, there was clearly a strong Italian influence.......everyone was saying "Ciao!", lol. Uh ok Buon Giornno??? Lol! Aside from the Italian curveball, the scene was pretty much similar to my bike ride to Kamasundo. Topless old grannies with their sagging boobs down to their waist and hoards of half naked children chasing us on our bikes as we try to dodge chickens, goats, and ditches, haha!
We finally arrived in Chemende where we met Boss K and also acquired an entire posse of children that followed us like a shadow throughout the village. So funny how I'm used to the children staring and following, lol. They would all try to cut each other off so they could be the closest to my bike to have the opportunity to touch the back fender as we walked through the bush to the village school made from handwoven grass. The school had a hole on the side wall, the goats had started eating the school, haha.
Part of Sierra Leonean hospitality is offering your guest a chair. Often, they INSIST on you sitting down, they don't let you stay standing up, no matter how much you INSIST on standing, haha. Boss K had already arranged on having chairs put under the shade of the tree next to the school. So we sit down to talk business as we become swallowed by a hoard of village children who quietly sit and observe "di opoto dem". Joe & Boss K talk shop as I smile and wave to these curious rugrats. In Temne, I would ask "Nes a mua?" and they would tell me their names and they'd giggle when I would say, "Mine yi Yainkain." This one girl, Mariama would give biggest smile whenever we made eye contact. How cute is all of this, really. It was, haha, you still get poster picture Peace Corps kumbaya moments, lol.
When Boss K found out that I was an OLGSS teacher, he showed me one of my JSS1 girls, Kadiatu. She walks the 7+ miles to school everyday to and from Chemende. So right now, we're looking into getting her registered for the bike program to ease her commute a bit.
We wrapped things up and I slathered on another layer of sunscreen as the children curiously watched me. I was about to put the sunscreen back in my bag then I saw Mariama smile at me again with her huge white teeth and I decided to give her a little dollop. She rubbed it on her arms, copying me. Mariama was the center of attention as all her friends circled around her and sniffed her arms. All you heard where kiddie whisperings of "Eeeeehhh....Ofolfol...." which means "nice smell" in Khathemne.
We head out and all the kids give us a double thumbs up and their biggest smiles. The thumbs-up, Joe's doing, he taught them this, lol. This village will be "thumbs-upping" for generations, haha. As we slowly bike away, the children start running after us and laughing. It's all great at first but then they start catching up and it starts transitioning to more like a horror flick chase scene, lol. So this is the part where we pick up the pace to prevent kids from jumping onto our bikes because YES, they will do that, lol. We speed off, wave goodbye and head back into Lunsar town to end our day with some couscous at a local kukri.
10/31/12-Happy Halloween
So what do you call Halloween in Sierra Leone??? A WEDNESDAY!
Lol!
Ba Rum Bump!
Lol!
Ba Rum Bump!
10/30/12-Hella Richmond Cray-Cray Ghetto
I had a really really bad day today. Probably my worst to date for my Peace Corps experience. I'm hoping that this is the only worst thing that I experience for the next 2 years here in Salone......
Hawa had a catering gig today for a mining company's public disclosure meeting with the community today. I offered to help serve food. So I left school early after my last period and headed over to the town hall. She was contracted to serve 600 plates but there was way more than that, there were alot of who-riders in for a free meal.
When it was time to serve, I would carry out my tray of food to serve folks. Each time I left the kitchen, there would be a crowd of men/boys/children yelling "Ay Chinese!" or "Ching Chong" or whatever fucking combination thereof. Small children, ok, I get it, you are only a child and do not know any better. But seriously, when you are a grown man in your early 20s you ignorant stupid fuck, you rude ass motherfucker incapable of saying anything civilized so the best thing that comes out of your dirty fucking trap is "Ching Chong" really though, fuck off you dumb fuck!
I tried today, I really did but I'm no Jesus Christ. It took me about 5 round trip passes through that crowd of ignorant fucks before I couldn't fucking take it anymore.
First few passes.......I ignore. Next few passes.....I say, "Duya, mi noto Chinese, lef mi nomo". Next few times......I say "Ay, una lef mi! Shut the fuck up!". They come back for more, so it's ok to call me a racial slur but when I yell back "OTemne OTemne BlackMan BlackMan!" all of a sudden it's not ok. So they push me harder. They get in my face do some more of that ching chong bullshit and grab my arm. So what do I do.....my inner Richmond hella ghetto cray cray mode goes in full effect and I fucking literally lunge at the crowd of men and start yelling in Krio/English calling them stupid ignorant black men and I will fucking punch them in their damn mouths.
They think because I'm a woman that I'll just put up with that fucking bullshit. Fuck that, you seriously fucked with the wrong American girl. I was pulled away kicking and arms flailing at those stupid ignorant fucks. I was trembling with anger and couldn't help it but cry because of that fucked up bullshit. Hawa was pissed, she went out on a manhunt as I sat behind the counter in the corner to settle down from all that adrenaline pumping in my system.
They found the main guy and kicked him out. The Paramount Chief came by and apologized that I had to experience that along with other folks that checked up on me to say "Osh-Ya" (Sorry).
The thing that pisses me off is that they make "Greetings" such a big deal here in Salone. That's what you do here, you greet so why is it ok to blurt out "Opoto" "Chinese" "Ching Chong" to a stranger. That's fucking bullshit. For the most part everyone was on my side saying that they were ignorant rude stupid fucks but I had to argue with this one Pa who tried making up some stupid bullshit excuse on behalf of their misbehavior. He said that they say "Chinese" or "Ching Chong" because they do not know if I speak Krio. Bull fucking shit! Den yerie mi fucking Krio fayn! I said in Krio several times, no I'm not Chinese, leave me alone. Last time I checked, respectful Sierra Leonean greetings does not include yelling racial slurs in my face. The other excuse I hated is when some of them said that they did not know what they were doing because they were under the influence of alcohol or smoking the jamba. Again, bull fucking shit! Why can't people just be stupid ignorant fucks because they are just plain stupid ignorant fucks. Please don't use the excuse of "the devil made them do it" bullshit.
Whatever, it's over and done with. I had to do my rant because they fucking pissed me off. Totally isolated situation and doesn't represent the majority of people who welcome me and protect me in this community. But hey, ignorant dumb fucks exist all over the world. God help their uneducated ignorant souls. Like I said though, I'm no Jesus Christ living a life of humility, I'm ready to throw down Richmond style if need be.
Fuck that.....I'm so over it....tomorrow is another fucking day. I will deal......
Peace out!
Hawa had a catering gig today for a mining company's public disclosure meeting with the community today. I offered to help serve food. So I left school early after my last period and headed over to the town hall. She was contracted to serve 600 plates but there was way more than that, there were alot of who-riders in for a free meal.
When it was time to serve, I would carry out my tray of food to serve folks. Each time I left the kitchen, there would be a crowd of men/boys/children yelling "Ay Chinese!" or "Ching Chong" or whatever fucking combination thereof. Small children, ok, I get it, you are only a child and do not know any better. But seriously, when you are a grown man in your early 20s you ignorant stupid fuck, you rude ass motherfucker incapable of saying anything civilized so the best thing that comes out of your dirty fucking trap is "Ching Chong" really though, fuck off you dumb fuck!
I tried today, I really did but I'm no Jesus Christ. It took me about 5 round trip passes through that crowd of ignorant fucks before I couldn't fucking take it anymore.
First few passes.......I ignore. Next few passes.....I say, "Duya, mi noto Chinese, lef mi nomo". Next few times......I say "Ay, una lef mi! Shut the fuck up!". They come back for more, so it's ok to call me a racial slur but when I yell back "OTemne OTemne BlackMan BlackMan!" all of a sudden it's not ok. So they push me harder. They get in my face do some more of that ching chong bullshit and grab my arm. So what do I do.....my inner Richmond hella ghetto cray cray mode goes in full effect and I fucking literally lunge at the crowd of men and start yelling in Krio/English calling them stupid ignorant black men and I will fucking punch them in their damn mouths.
They think because I'm a woman that I'll just put up with that fucking bullshit. Fuck that, you seriously fucked with the wrong American girl. I was pulled away kicking and arms flailing at those stupid ignorant fucks. I was trembling with anger and couldn't help it but cry because of that fucked up bullshit. Hawa was pissed, she went out on a manhunt as I sat behind the counter in the corner to settle down from all that adrenaline pumping in my system.
They found the main guy and kicked him out. The Paramount Chief came by and apologized that I had to experience that along with other folks that checked up on me to say "Osh-Ya" (Sorry).
The thing that pisses me off is that they make "Greetings" such a big deal here in Salone. That's what you do here, you greet so why is it ok to blurt out "Opoto" "Chinese" "Ching Chong" to a stranger. That's fucking bullshit. For the most part everyone was on my side saying that they were ignorant rude stupid fucks but I had to argue with this one Pa who tried making up some stupid bullshit excuse on behalf of their misbehavior. He said that they say "Chinese" or "Ching Chong" because they do not know if I speak Krio. Bull fucking shit! Den yerie mi fucking Krio fayn! I said in Krio several times, no I'm not Chinese, leave me alone. Last time I checked, respectful Sierra Leonean greetings does not include yelling racial slurs in my face. The other excuse I hated is when some of them said that they did not know what they were doing because they were under the influence of alcohol or smoking the jamba. Again, bull fucking shit! Why can't people just be stupid ignorant fucks because they are just plain stupid ignorant fucks. Please don't use the excuse of "the devil made them do it" bullshit.
Whatever, it's over and done with. I had to do my rant because they fucking pissed me off. Totally isolated situation and doesn't represent the majority of people who welcome me and protect me in this community. But hey, ignorant dumb fucks exist all over the world. God help their uneducated ignorant souls. Like I said though, I'm no Jesus Christ living a life of humility, I'm ready to throw down Richmond style if need be.
Fuck that.....I'm so over it....tomorrow is another fucking day. I will deal......
Peace out!
10/29/12-Small Town Water Tower Scene
I went over to Port Loko for Charles' birthday. It's always good times seeing other PCVs.
Before I met up with folks, I did my monthly bank run to SLBC Port Loko. All the workers know me there now. I always have to bat my eyelashes at them b/c I always ask them for small bills and they hate doing that. But who can say no to Opoto eyes with a local name of Yainkain, lol.
At Charles' house, we made a fantastic gumbo with a summer sausage that Charles donated from his care package. Good lord, to taste something that is not plasas or something not swimming in pamayn!
Then we headed over to the water tower, climbed up, and chilled out at the top. We waited for the sunset as we threw rocks as far as we could into the open African bush. Also aiming for large puddles on dirt roads that were way too far for us to reach. I never really did shit like this. I felt like I was in one of those movies that takes place in a small town where a group of kids climb up the water tower to talk and usually some epiphany happens but the difference is that no epiphany happened, we were really just plain 'ole shooting the shit, lol. It does get surreal sometimes though. Every now and then, I have to remind myself that I'm in Sierra Leone. It really was beautiful being at the top of the water tower overlooking Port Loko and out into the bush with the cool breeze on our faces and the sun slowly setting.
Life is good here........
Before I met up with folks, I did my monthly bank run to SLBC Port Loko. All the workers know me there now. I always have to bat my eyelashes at them b/c I always ask them for small bills and they hate doing that. But who can say no to Opoto eyes with a local name of Yainkain, lol.
At Charles' house, we made a fantastic gumbo with a summer sausage that Charles donated from his care package. Good lord, to taste something that is not plasas or something not swimming in pamayn!
Then we headed over to the water tower, climbed up, and chilled out at the top. We waited for the sunset as we threw rocks as far as we could into the open African bush. Also aiming for large puddles on dirt roads that were way too far for us to reach. I never really did shit like this. I felt like I was in one of those movies that takes place in a small town where a group of kids climb up the water tower to talk and usually some epiphany happens but the difference is that no epiphany happened, we were really just plain 'ole shooting the shit, lol. It does get surreal sometimes though. Every now and then, I have to remind myself that I'm in Sierra Leone. It really was beautiful being at the top of the water tower overlooking Port Loko and out into the bush with the cool breeze on our faces and the sun slowly setting.
Life is good here........
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