Settling In

I havent been on in a while so i apologize. im trying to stay away from technology, and live like the hcns (host country nationals). some people here learned how to dial into the internet through our cell phones, and i will admit that i miss my computer, but im also a little bit happier this way. the culture here is not dependent on technology the way that americans are, and its kind of nice. i would love some mail though. i havent gotten any yet, and the mail system is now taking about 5 weeks to receive anything. phone calls would be great too. i heard there are a lot of inexpensive phone cards at justphonecards.com.

so things are going well here. every thursday the class has a big football (soccer) game, and a few teachers and hcns play. its a lot of fun, and ive been on winning teams both times. i play defense, and act as a 'human shield'. really, i just stand around until the ball comes my way, and let the ball hit me. i end up covered with red clay at the end of the game. yesterday i attempted to be goalie. i had a few saves and then one got past me. it was kind of a bummer.

last night we had a birthday party for 2 of the girls here celebrating bdays this weekend. after school we all went to the market then started cooking. the power was out, so we cooked by candlelight. my official job in africa is as designated potato peeler. my host mom told me the other day that im slow, but i dont waste much potato, so she will let me continue. anyway, we went with a mexican theme for the party, with enchiladas, spanish rice, and mashed potatoes and crepes which didnt really fit the theme. all of my classlates were there and it was really fun. at one point, we did pull out the rent soundtrack for some singing, which was not appreciated by all. we even got to stay out past our 7pm curfew, and i went home at about 11oclock.

this week should be interesting. immersion starts monday, so classes are in french only, and if we are hanging out at the school we must speak french. well see how that goes. thursday we find out our site placements, so i will know where i am moving in august. the next weekend i will visit my site so that should be interesting too. it will be nice to finally know.

i finally got sick here, and i thought it was dysentery, but i was told that it was only food poisoning. i was only sick for a short time though. i did get a bug bite that made me break out in hives (well; one hive), but that was kind of weird.

host family is going good. i had to babysit the kids for two days while the parents were out of town. i sort of learned how to light a lantern. well, i guess thats it for the moment, so everyone keep in touch! miss everyone tons, and hope all is well at home.

oh, and im having trouble uploading pics, so ill post when im able!

In Bangante

So this will be short b/c i am not a fan of this french keyboard. before we left yaounde, went out dancing at a club: it was really fun: they first played american music, but then switched to african: i found ouit the hard way, to ask how much a drink is before i buy it: (dont remember if i already told that story):

i made it here in one piece, and the bus ride was only about 4 hours: i met my host family and they are awesome. my mother and father are both teachers, and there are 5 kids in the house: two nephews about 18; anais, 9; alexandra, 7; and andrew, 4. they are adorable. we speak constant french; so thats interesting: i have my own room and we have water and electricity, but the power goes out often. there is no hot water, so i have been taking ice cold showers: we have chickens and rabbits (apparently they will be for dinner) and the roosters wake me up every morning (and sometimes nights) with their cocorico noise: food here is good: my host mom is a great cook, and everything is super spicy; havent gotten sick yet:

this weekend we went to bafoussam to a school: we were guest presenters for the hundreds of prizes given out to good students: it was interesting, and the chief of the village was there: yesterday i got invited to a 12 year olds bday party: the food was good, and there was a dance contest: that was fun to watch:

thats it for now: please send text msgs, letters and packages! if you need my info; email me!
miss everyone at home, and i especially miss the internet connection. talk to you soon.

I thought Africa would be hotter...

So I made it ok to Africa. The flights werent so bad. Philly to Paris, 2 hour layover, paris to douala cameroon, 1 hour layover, douala to yaounde. We left at 645pm friday, arrived to cameroon at 7pm saturday. It went by quick though, and not too much jet lag. There are 38 people in my program, from all over the country. We have a pretty good group - everyone is pretty laid back and fun. Since we have gotten here, we have eaten a lot. they have a salad (always different) for every meal, then rice, meat and veg, then fruit for dessert. im having a bit of trouble, since i dont like most of the fruit (pineapple, watermelon, other melons), but im trying a couple bites each time. We are still drinking bottled water though. tomorrow we learn to treat the water so we can use it from the tap.

We had a party last night at the country directors house, with a big buffet. I ate chicken, beef, 2 kinds of fish, little egg rolls, shrimp, fancy breads, and fruit. We also met the Ambassador. She was the US representative in cameroon. That was kind of cool. I also got my first mosquito bite. (i was wearing insect repellent too!)

The weather here has been cooler than i thought it would be. The nights are cool, where i need a sweater, with the same in the morning. All the days have started out about the same, and cloudy, then around 10 it gets a lot warmer and humid. Its nice though. Further north its much hotter, but wetter also. This is the rainy season.

Yesterday we had a chance to walk around town. A few of us headed toward town, close to wear the soccer stadium is. I guess in 2 years, the world cup is supposed to be there. Most of the roads are paved, but there are no sidewalks and no grass. There are a lot of vendors on the street, selling peanuts, grilled corn, grilled fish, watermelons, pineapples, and a lot of other goods. We are not allowed to eat any of them yet, or i probably would have bought something.

today was testing for french, as lessons begin tomorrow, and some more shots. i only have 6 left. we also got our med kits, and more anti malaria pills. I'm in yaounde for another few days, so ill try to post more. i also get a cell phone later, so i wont be out of touch. email if you get a chance!
a bientot!

About to leave

So here i am, at the hotel about to leave the country. i only have a minute for a quick post. we had our training here in philadelphia, which went by quick. there are 38 people in my group, from all over the country. we fly out tonight and arrive in cameroon on saturday night, just in time for dinner and bed. training was spent doing ice breakers and learning about culture shock, and of course, shopping. will send email or post once we arrive. bye!

Starting to freak out

Well, its 5am on monday morning, and i leave wednesday for philadelphia for pc staging. I woke up, trying to figure out where my ipod charger is.. i actually tried to pack a little yesterday, and found out that i am missing quite a few things that i want to bring. i also realized how many things i still have to do, so i obviously can't sleep. since my last post, i have had 2 going away parties, and numerous going away lunches. kevins going away party was nice, and i saw a lot of people that i havent seen in a long time. saturday was my moms going away party, which was also nice. my family came, and i was surprised at a few of the people that showed up. im starting to realize that i have some really great friends, who have been there for me when ive started to freak out. those freak outs are happening a lot more, now that i am getting closer to leaving. on the one hand, i am excited for the program to start, but on the other, im finding it really hard to go. i have been preparing for months, and its no surprise to be leaving, but i wish i had more time here. there are still so many things to do, and so many people that i want to see. its going to be so hard to leave kevin and my mom. both of them are going to be so upset when i go.

so for right now, while kevin is sleeping, im trying to form a plan for the day. i have a lot of banking to do, and i have to pick up some last minute things. for anyone that i dont end up seeing, ill be thinking of you while im gone, and please write!