the power of a coke

i made it through the longest stint of homestay! there were so many ups and downs but now i really feel like i can do this. this time was much less terrifying because i sort of knew what to expect. i already knew the family, what my meals would be like, etc. the problems i have now are mostly with the language and not having much independence. the good thing is that i dont think "man i would love to be at home" instead i think "man i would love to be at my permanent site so i dont have to eat rice. AGAIN." i think it will be so much easier once i move into my own hut. i can control when i eat, what i eat, when i leave, when i come back...(the importance of eating in my life should surprise no one) i had several down days and all i can say is thank God for cold coke. there is a boutique (small shop) in my town and they have cold can drinks which is a rare luxury. the day really doesnt seem that bad if you are drinking an ice cold coke. but then i feel like im in a vintage coke commercial walking down the street with smiling african children following me.

i had an especially bad day last week when i was frustrated with the language, with all the problems with the systems here - both education and health, and with life in general. my lcf (language and cultural facilitator and general go-to person in village) called and said we had to be at the school for a meeting. this only frustrated me more because the meeting was in french. BUT afterwards we got served lunch. they brought out tray after tray of delicious vegetables! of course there was rice too, but the veggies were so nice! AND to top it all off, they brought out coke when the meal was finished! the coke even had that magical vapor of coolness when you popped the cap. oh the small things....

i was able to successfully execute an april fools joke as well! after an especially disgusting night of GI issues (ill leave it at that), i came to class and said - "thats it. im going home! last night was the final straw." of course no one believed me because i couldnt keep a straight face, but my lcf thought it was so funny that she called the head of the language program who then called the head of the entire training program who THEN called my lcf. it was hilarious-- he was freaking out and about to call dakar to get a car to come get me. we could not stop laughing. he texted me and told me to watch my back. i responded with "just exercising my swagger" (which is what he always tells us to do-- work our "swagger") and he said "swagger confirmed." success!

i am really excited for thursday because we find out our site placements. im more anxious to know who out of my group will be my neighbors, rather than where i will be. i mean there is really no surprise there-- it will be a hot sandy hut. im headed back to the village this thursday through sunday. then i go on my "volunteer visit" which is a week with a current volunteer at or near my permanent site. i am really excited about that because i can get the lowdown on the town-- administration, projects in place, etc.

i am starting to realize how much im missing-- graduations, big decisions in my friend's lives, and most importantly seeing the american idol finale. i didnt really realize everything i would be giving up, but thus far it seems that it was a more than fair trade. i already have gained so much -- i feel like i know myself better and what i want from life. i knew that i would gain so much more than i am giving, but now i just feel like a thief. this country has already given me so much. i am so grateful for every experience and sometimes i stop and think how lucky i am. i wish everyone could experience this-- being the only white person in a town, or seeing the cows come home (literally) every night. it teaches you about prejudice and tolerance, both of which i still have much more to learn. thank you all for the emails and prayers! i promise to keep you updated!