It's been hard work in Wan Hati lately. The head of the women's organization visted my house and asked me why I never come and sit with her. I felt awful and said I would visit tomorrow. That next morning I heard 'Wakie, Mariah wakie!' she was outside my window holding her machete and hoe.
We went to ground together.
Ground - it takes a good walk to get to ground, as it's in the middle of the bush. Ground is massive Sa Mongoeanla's is 4 acres. Each family get's a 'plot' if you will...some close together some a good distance down the trail.
I thought how hard can this be - Sa Mongoeanla is 76 yrs old. I will be able to keep up. That lady is amazing - I've never seen anything like it! (Mom she is to me - you're Ruby Homequest) She had me bending, squating, pulling, carrying, digging. They only tools they use at ground are a machete and a hoe. ALL DAY LONG. We worked until 5:30 that evening. I walked back to my house swaggering like Captian Jack Sparrow. I stopped by Basi Amiso to say good evening - he slapped his leg laughing -- you BLACKA Mariah, you blacka!!! You one of us! (I was cover in mud, sweat and a few new battle scars.) A bath in the river and I fell fast asleep.
We go together everyday now - I've adjusted to the heat and the intense phyical labor. I've also learned to keep an eye on where Sa Mongoeanla puts things ;) sometimes as we work, she leaves the bag of ginger here, the hoe there....the machete. You get the point. She and I make a good team and I'm learning so much from her out there in ground. We share stories about our family, the history of Wan Hati...the things that we have in the states. She tells me to call her moma - and it's an honor to do so..
The kids are back in school now so I don't see them as much as I did before. Now it's nightime or the weekends when they visit. (I go to ground on Saturday) Sunday I have taken-up going to the church. I don't understand fully what's being said, but I enjoy singing along with everyone. And doing this helps me intergreate into the community.
Since I don't see the kids as often I have started two youth groups. One ages 7-11 and the other 12-16. We'll see how long they remain seperate as the kids have to work hard during their free time. But I am hoping to teach English and Life Skills (hiv/aids, working together, conflict resolution...etc) as well as use them as a tool to start cleaning Wan Hati. I think the first project I will interduce when I go back tomorrow is composting. WE ALL CAN BENEFIT frm composting and this is something that you can do in your apartment, house...anywhere. It's great for the enviroment and I definitely encourage you all to look into it. If you can get the kids interested and motived to learn something it's the key to getting to the adults.
I've learned some really cool things lately...if your ankle or wrist cramps up, you can rub the juice of an orange on it and it will relieve the pain. I've finally learned to clean fish! I've learned to 'clean' tire, ginger, kasaba. The women at ground eat watermelon not just because it's delisious but also to rehydrate themsleves because there is such a lack of clean water. (I've also learned to eat watermelon like a native...slurp, suck, then bite)
Bringing up lack of clean water - one of the bigger projects I'm doing is helping to get the pump fixed. They have a pump in WH that takes from the river and stores in Durotanks -- then when you turn the spiket on, boom water. This doesn't mean there will be running water in houses, but accessable water from the spicket outside and around the village.
The village is revved up and very motivated to build a market. I'm doing research and starting the motions to get the market materials priced out. Also figure out the land area and who will be the key players on the 'board'. It's interesting the way things are working so far....I offered my idea on where I thought the market should be located and the reply 'we love what you love'.
So we're keeping it busy in the WH.
Unfortunately we haven't been playing a lot of slogball. I think I'll try to get that back in motion. I really liked playing!! (but not sure how much energy I'll have for it after my all day long ground time!)
I feel I'm really ineregreating as just the day before I left I got a knock on the door. There was a lady standing there with a really sick baby. The baby was struggling to breathe. It looked to me like a bad case of ashma. She asked me what to do. (I had no idea!) I referenced a book, and it seems it could be ashma or bronchisitc. We descided to take the baby up river three villages to where a missionary nurse stays. The baby had bronchitis and was treated and is I'm sure just fine now.
Things are moving right along at site, and I'm enjoying my time and really working hard! Not even that big tralancula that visits at nite scares me anymore!
Hope all of you are well and I look forward to letters!:) Next post I'll show you some pictures, I forgot my camera this go around.
xoxoxo - mk
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Only the Shadow knows...
And Gabbie ALWAYS knows what I'm up too...
this is the magic talking stick. In order for me to get a slight signal I have to put my phone in the bottle on the stick...then pray that I catch a signal strong enough to send a text. Sometimes this takes a good hour.
A few of the crew in all their glory.
Every single day Bella (in yellow), Gabbie (sitting on the chair), and Sardirea (on the right) are over to learn English and terrorize my house. I love them.
Working on their fitness!
She's my 6yr old sidekick at site. She wakes me up in the morning and I make us both some 'quaker oats'. She takes a lot of sugar in her tea. I take my coffee black.
I can count on her to be the last to leave the house. Sometimes I have to carry her out - yup, my house is really THAT much fun! :)
English lessons with her are..well, they're going ;) as you can tell she tends to just agree with me when she doesn't understand.
Note she is asking for chocolate. (I still have stashed away for special days a lot of M&M's so don't let her sweet face make you think she's not getting snoop.)
And some new photos of the place!
this is the magic talking stick. In order for me to get a slight signal I have to put my phone in the bottle on the stick...then pray that I catch a signal strong enough to send a text. Sometimes this takes a good hour. A few of the crew in all their glory.Every single day Bella (in yellow), Gabbie (sitting on the chair), and Sardirea (on the right) are over to learn English and terrorize my house. I love them.Working on their fitness!
Jennie mesmorized by bubbles (unfortnately you can't see the bubbles...but I promise there were bubbles) As much as she's a handful - I have to admit...she's dang cute!
Gabbie and her jump rope, she loves that thing!
The 'new' house.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Monday fast approaching
Monday is to be the last day in the city for me - then it's back to WH for a spell. So happy! I miss my friends out there. I'm excited to see everyone - especially the slogball women and the kids! The kids - I can't wait to see the kids!!
I will make sure to post shots of the new, improved and updated living quarters. It'll be fun to see what they turned this pile of timber into!
These birds are all over here. They are like our robins - but yellow chested, and they sing. (Bamboo tree)
A handful of us (pcv's) got asked to come in the first weekend of October for a meeting with the PC big guy from Washington who is coming for a visit. So I'll spend that weekend back in the city to meet him and I think there is a dinner party with the Ambassador. I will also get to check my mail that day - on pins and needles for a certain package to arrive! (Love you Kir!) After that I'm not coming into the city for a long, long time. I will still get my mail though - so please send letters - I love getting updates from everyone!
I'm excited to get back out to site - the house is finished!! Con's has been living there and building me a safe and clean home. I'm told that my wash-house is connected to my house. Talk about luxury. I can take a bucket bath now - instead of heading to the river to bathe! I will still wash dishes and clothes in the river. The latrine is across the path from the house -- but I'll take it! I actually prefer it like that, ya know?
Some final shots I had from my last visit to the house.
I will make sure to post shots of the new, improved and updated living quarters. It'll be fun to see what they turned this pile of timber into!The tarantula was on the floor of the house - scary!
These birds are all over here. They are like our robins - but yellow chested, and they sing. (Bamboo tree)Thursday, September 18, 2008
Babysitting
I haven't babysat since I was 14. Hain had some arrands to run so Raoul and I watched the boys....I don't speak Dutch. They all speak Dutch. It was chaos in that house.
Johnathon laughing about something spoken in Dutch.
I made pasta for dinner - the boys didn't like it, made faces at me even...told me they wanted pancakes. I gave that a whirl (even had to call a pcv friend to tell me what I need in order to MAKE pancakes.) They told me it needed more sugar. I told them - eat it or go hungry....they laughed at me again. Hain finally came home and amazingly they were charming little angels.
Johnathon laughing about something spoken in Dutch.
Givoney telling Johnathon something apparently REALLY funny in Dutch.
Boys will be boys - and these guys are to cute for their own good. I do love them.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Hanging and eating with my boys...
A typical afternoon eating with my guys at Hain's house. Raoul cooks (he will even call me and tell me that food is ready and he's on the way to get me) - all of you that have asked me if the food is good here... I've had a change of heart now that I've got my Raoul. I am trying to convince him to move to WH with me so he can be my boilman. He's almost convinced...
Scandal (aka - Raoul) teaching me the ways of the kitchen. And chicken feet soup.
Energy Soup.
I bow down to him in the kitchen - my bowl if you will notice - he didn't serve me any chicken feet. What a guy! Hain the very descriptive food critic.
Tonite's menu includes bamie by special request (Raoul is Javanese) my mouth is already watering.
my new digs..
Back together with Con's at WH on Friday to fix the NEW house. Yes guys - this is really true!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
are you still red like a turkey?
Yesterday I woke--more awoken, then woke.... at 7:00am (this is extremely early for me) and headed off for a day of fishing with Hain. Apparently I now need to contribute. I am family. ;) Since I don't cook - I catch.
Deal.
Hain's took me out to learn to fish. Starting with what to wear -- eesh and thank god. He gave me a long sleeve shirt (first I was confused...then once that sun beat on me - I understood. A hat - and told me to wear long pants) This paired with my cool-girl white sunglasses...I looked like a a rockstar...or a streetwalker. I perfer to think I looked like a rockstar.
I helped to 'launch the boat.' And first lesson of the day - how to put the bait on the hook. I needed MORE clarification on how to just get the bait out of the bucket!! He uses live shrimp - they are squirmy. So now I am well versed in the bait catching and apply to hook process....He shows me how to 'cast' this takes me a while - as it tends to go 'thunk' right infront of the boat. A handful of tried later...I'm getting the swing of this fishing thing.
You guessed it - I caught the FIRST fish of the day - the LAST fish of the day...and the BIGGEST fish of the day. No! - not all the same fish. ;)
Luckily Hain caught the MOST fish of the day...
The day ended with 40 Snook (They are like trout I think) flopping around in the ice cooler. 40 fish - that's a lot of fish you guys! Hain believes he caught 25 so that leaves me having caught 15. I like fishing.
Even after my creative wardrobe my whole face and chest turned a really nice shade of pink and hot to the touch. After we got back in from the day out on the water - I took a shower and chilled out due to exhaustion and watched 'Wanted'. Rodney and Raul stopped by to see the fish (they were not convinced that we caught that many) and also to laugh at how pink I had turned. I told them - you just wait tomorrow I am going to be golden brown again. (I infact AM golden brown again....nice huh?) It was then off to my hotel to sleep. I have a curfew there where they literally lock the gate at 11:00pm.
Having some lunch with my girl Michelle today - she got a kitten and I'm soo excited for her. She continues to crack me up with her stories. I miss having her as my roommate when I'm here. Lonely sometimes without her here as my roomie!
Caroline and I desperately need to catch-up as well. This girls lost some pounds! Looks good, but she needs to make sure and eat! Cristin is hanging in there - she's got a handful more days in the city...love that girl! Everyone is doing okay for the most part ;)
Today - I'm off to a soccer game with my guys. Hopefully Suriname fans don't throw bags of urine, like the Mexican fans. I'm sure I'll have some more stories for you...never a dull moment!
Deal.
Hain's took me out to learn to fish. Starting with what to wear -- eesh and thank god. He gave me a long sleeve shirt (first I was confused...then once that sun beat on me - I understood. A hat - and told me to wear long pants) This paired with my cool-girl white sunglasses...I looked like a a rockstar...or a streetwalker. I perfer to think I looked like a rockstar.
I helped to 'launch the boat.' And first lesson of the day - how to put the bait on the hook. I needed MORE clarification on how to just get the bait out of the bucket!! He uses live shrimp - they are squirmy. So now I am well versed in the bait catching and apply to hook process....He shows me how to 'cast' this takes me a while - as it tends to go 'thunk' right infront of the boat. A handful of tried later...I'm getting the swing of this fishing thing.
You guessed it - I caught the FIRST fish of the day - the LAST fish of the day...and the BIGGEST fish of the day. No! - not all the same fish. ;)
Luckily Hain caught the MOST fish of the day...
The day ended with 40 Snook (They are like trout I think) flopping around in the ice cooler. 40 fish - that's a lot of fish you guys! Hain believes he caught 25 so that leaves me having caught 15. I like fishing.
Even after my creative wardrobe my whole face and chest turned a really nice shade of pink and hot to the touch. After we got back in from the day out on the water - I took a shower and chilled out due to exhaustion and watched 'Wanted'. Rodney and Raul stopped by to see the fish (they were not convinced that we caught that many) and also to laugh at how pink I had turned. I told them - you just wait tomorrow I am going to be golden brown again. (I infact AM golden brown again....nice huh?) It was then off to my hotel to sleep. I have a curfew there where they literally lock the gate at 11:00pm.
Having some lunch with my girl Michelle today - she got a kitten and I'm soo excited for her. She continues to crack me up with her stories. I miss having her as my roommate when I'm here. Lonely sometimes without her here as my roomie!
Caroline and I desperately need to catch-up as well. This girls lost some pounds! Looks good, but she needs to make sure and eat! Cristin is hanging in there - she's got a handful more days in the city...love that girl! Everyone is doing okay for the most part ;)
Today - I'm off to a soccer game with my guys. Hopefully Suriname fans don't throw bags of urine, like the Mexican fans. I'm sure I'll have some more stories for you...never a dull moment!
Monday, September 8, 2008
'I don't have'...no problem - you are my sister!
This weekend I learned a whole new side of Suriname and it sure has been an funfilled experience! Since I seem to have defaulted into a city girl here - I've made myself a handful of really nice friends to hang out with and you guys would love them!
I get the call Friday from Raul that it's his birthday and a cab is on the way to pick me up at my hotel. As I tried to explain to him that I don't have cash on me (that day I also walked around the whole city looking for an ATM that had money in it to despense. The end of the month and the end of the week...ala sani a na bum when it come to ATM withdrawels) he tells me it's a black waggie, the driver's name is Winston - and he know's where he's going. Completely ignoring my money concern. Yes, I compeletely trust this situation ...Hains is actually a policeman. These guys have become pretty much 'my guys' if you well....(Raul has informed me that 'Pink is the new Gansta'. And he's serious....everytime I see him, he's in pink.)
I arrive at my destination - Hains is outside - tells me 'this is no problem...you are my sister!' We have a crazy birthday celebration for Raul and Winston comes back to take me home that nite.
I get a call the next morning - 'what are you doing - we are fishing and bbqing' when can we pick you up...Witney is also with (she is my new girl partner in crime here...she's Hain's niece) We have all veggies for you and watermelon...you come eat. We know you don't cook. Someone is on the way now to pick you up. It's no problem...no problem.
These guys can COOK! Good stuff.
That nite the boys and I went OUT on the town....I crawled (as I've crawled many times in my life before) up the stairs to room number 8 and to bed at 4:30am. My guys continued on to 'one more place'. That nite I did learn to salsa, how to tell who is 'for sale' (prostitution is legal here) where the best food to eat at 3:00am in the city is....and how lucky I am for A/C and cold water the next day.
A bunch of my pcv friends came in last nite - sooo good to see all of them. Sharing stories and getting caught up with everyone. Jack's lost a ton of weight - but everyone is happy and in good spirits.
Tonite I think I may just decide to eat some fresh caught fish and go for a late nite swim.
When in Suriname.....
Muah!
I get the call Friday from Raul that it's his birthday and a cab is on the way to pick me up at my hotel. As I tried to explain to him that I don't have cash on me (that day I also walked around the whole city looking for an ATM that had money in it to despense. The end of the month and the end of the week...ala sani a na bum when it come to ATM withdrawels) he tells me it's a black waggie, the driver's name is Winston - and he know's where he's going. Completely ignoring my money concern. Yes, I compeletely trust this situation ...Hains is actually a policeman. These guys have become pretty much 'my guys' if you well....(Raul has informed me that 'Pink is the new Gansta'. And he's serious....everytime I see him, he's in pink.)
I arrive at my destination - Hains is outside - tells me 'this is no problem...you are my sister!' We have a crazy birthday celebration for Raul and Winston comes back to take me home that nite.
I get a call the next morning - 'what are you doing - we are fishing and bbqing' when can we pick you up...Witney is also with (she is my new girl partner in crime here...she's Hain's niece) We have all veggies for you and watermelon...you come eat. We know you don't cook. Someone is on the way now to pick you up. It's no problem...no problem.
These guys can COOK! Good stuff.
That nite the boys and I went OUT on the town....I crawled (as I've crawled many times in my life before) up the stairs to room number 8 and to bed at 4:30am. My guys continued on to 'one more place'. That nite I did learn to salsa, how to tell who is 'for sale' (prostitution is legal here) where the best food to eat at 3:00am in the city is....and how lucky I am for A/C and cold water the next day.
A bunch of my pcv friends came in last nite - sooo good to see all of them. Sharing stories and getting caught up with everyone. Jack's lost a ton of weight - but everyone is happy and in good spirits.
Tonite I think I may just decide to eat some fresh caught fish and go for a late nite swim.
When in Suriname.....
Muah!
Friday, September 5, 2008
Things that go bump in the nite....
Hey guys!
I've been back in the city now for exactly a week - it's been an interesting week. Infact just this morning, I was just finished showering and walking back to my room...this lady stopped me and asked if she could borrow my shampoo. Sure, right - why not? She knocks on my door to return it - picks up a letter with a photo on it - tells me 'you and your man will make beautiful children.'
The photo was of Johnny Depp! (thank you Jen!) All I could do was smile and said 'thank you - I look forward to making babies with him...when I get back home.' She nodded and told me I shouldn't wait to long.
I've been having a blast in WH! It took me two full days (we're talking 7:00am-8:00pm full days!) to clean the place! I bleached all the walls...the whole sha-bam! I will admit it's a cute little house - all girlie in pinks and purples. I put the kids drawing on the walls, and sheet of words translated from Aculn to English.
Still have a handful of bat roomates - I evicted most, but there are a few that refuse to give up their home. I'm coming to find them oddly cute...fangs and all.
The women made quick work of taking me right under their wings - invloving me in games of Slogball, going to grounds/gardening, random chats (they LOVE to ask me about my man back home, and what I'm cooking...cuz I don't cook!) not one single day went by that Shannon and Kendila didn't call me over to a group of people and tell me to dance. Yes, I danced EVERY time. They laugh - it's entertaining for all. ;)
Some of my favorite quotes in my first three weeks:
'Good morning Mariah, put on the red harness and get up here - weathers great!' - (Wendel, who was building a cell tower - daily tried to get me to climb with him)
'I am very, very tired. I want to eat something and go to my bed - my dear.' (Shannon praticing her English)
'Mariah, it's you, it's you!!' (two girls looking at a Vouge magazine and coming across a picture of some model in a "priceless add')
'You find god - you wino!' (telsur worker....what he was saying... once I understood the alcun and heavy accent.....you have a bodygaurd - yes?)
'I heard you scream, but it was a different langauge so I thought I was dreaming...and went back to sleep' (Linda the morning after I screamed my head off in the middle of the nite)
'You have a nice system - let's get married.' (old man in my village)
'You're rich - I know because you have nice toliet paper.' (kid in the village that used my latrine - toliet paper was compliments of Ilya's care package)
Some really cool things that I got to experience in my first three weeks:
I took a two-hour walk and saw monkey's by the dozens jump from tree to tree.
There is a hummingbird that frequents the tree outside my front door.
Slogball - there are no words for this game....it's random and silly. I love it!
Teaching the women yoga - this is one of my favortie memories! A good 15 women and children in the sand mimicking me and laughing as they fall over. It was a very effective first lesson ;)
Making friends with Mr. French who brought me a book of Suriname birds (after I pointed to a huge bird and asked what it was....he told me with a laugh, a vulture) He comes daily to check on me and talk about history. He's good stuff!
To date - the village has been so gracious with me. I have received 11 watermelon, 1 papaya, 3 oranges, bags of cassava chips and snacks, one raw egg, a used sticker.....drinks. There's even a man that likes to bring me plates of food for dinner.
Men aren't allowed into my hut (ground rules of my counterpart) so they stand outside and chat with me or I go outside to join them. The women just walk themsleves right on it -- bouncing babies and talking so fast I can't understand them half the time!
Unforunately I had a incident that brought me back into the city for awhile....
Last week Friday 1:00am I was almost asleep when I hear my name being called - urgently. So I open my eyes, as they are adjusting to the dark - I see a HAND pulling down my window shutter thing. Then a bright light - (flashlight) being shone in my eyes! He's still calling my name as he makes quick work of tearing down my window (so forceful that he took it off the top hinge) He's at the window by the side of my bed. He got his foot up on the window - and at this point, I took my yoga book and chucked it at his head. It didn't detour him to much, and I didn't want to touch him...so I took my pillow and started to wack and wack him. Luckily he was stuck between the wall and my mosquito netting around my bed. I was able to push him back out the window. He ran. I pulled the window thing back closed (this took some time as I didn't want to go outside...) I turned on every single flashlight I had and lantern...and candles. Since there is still bats in my walls - I was freaking out cuz I couldn't tell if it was the man or the bats rustling around....so I sat by my front door and waited for my friend Waotto to walk by on his way to the bush. (he goes at 4:30am) once I saw his flashlight I called out to him...he helped calm me down and get in contact with P.Corps. They came and took me back to the city. I'm still here, as they are securing my house, and holding meetings on what to do to make it safe for me and see if they can figure out who the man is that did this. I do want to go back to WH, the women and everyone I've met are amazing, and I really like my house and village. I just want a safe home -- ya know?
Luckily some of my friends are coming in on Sunday so it'll be good to see everyone and get caught up with how they are doing at site.
Hopefully I'm back at site by Wens of next week ;)
Love ya all - and hope everyone is doing well!
I've been back in the city now for exactly a week - it's been an interesting week. Infact just this morning, I was just finished showering and walking back to my room...this lady stopped me and asked if she could borrow my shampoo. Sure, right - why not? She knocks on my door to return it - picks up a letter with a photo on it - tells me 'you and your man will make beautiful children.'
The photo was of Johnny Depp! (thank you Jen!) All I could do was smile and said 'thank you - I look forward to making babies with him...when I get back home.' She nodded and told me I shouldn't wait to long.
I've been having a blast in WH! It took me two full days (we're talking 7:00am-8:00pm full days!) to clean the place! I bleached all the walls...the whole sha-bam! I will admit it's a cute little house - all girlie in pinks and purples. I put the kids drawing on the walls, and sheet of words translated from Aculn to English.
Still have a handful of bat roomates - I evicted most, but there are a few that refuse to give up their home. I'm coming to find them oddly cute...fangs and all.
The women made quick work of taking me right under their wings - invloving me in games of Slogball, going to grounds/gardening, random chats (they LOVE to ask me about my man back home, and what I'm cooking...cuz I don't cook!) not one single day went by that Shannon and Kendila didn't call me over to a group of people and tell me to dance. Yes, I danced EVERY time. They laugh - it's entertaining for all. ;)
Some of my favorite quotes in my first three weeks:
'Good morning Mariah, put on the red harness and get up here - weathers great!' - (Wendel, who was building a cell tower - daily tried to get me to climb with him)
'I am very, very tired. I want to eat something and go to my bed - my dear.' (Shannon praticing her English)
'Mariah, it's you, it's you!!' (two girls looking at a Vouge magazine and coming across a picture of some model in a "priceless add')
'You find god - you wino!' (telsur worker....what he was saying... once I understood the alcun and heavy accent.....you have a bodygaurd - yes?)
'I heard you scream, but it was a different langauge so I thought I was dreaming...and went back to sleep' (Linda the morning after I screamed my head off in the middle of the nite)
'You have a nice system - let's get married.' (old man in my village)
'You're rich - I know because you have nice toliet paper.' (kid in the village that used my latrine - toliet paper was compliments of Ilya's care package)
Some really cool things that I got to experience in my first three weeks:
I took a two-hour walk and saw monkey's by the dozens jump from tree to tree.
There is a hummingbird that frequents the tree outside my front door.
Slogball - there are no words for this game....it's random and silly. I love it!
Teaching the women yoga - this is one of my favortie memories! A good 15 women and children in the sand mimicking me and laughing as they fall over. It was a very effective first lesson ;)
Making friends with Mr. French who brought me a book of Suriname birds (after I pointed to a huge bird and asked what it was....he told me with a laugh, a vulture) He comes daily to check on me and talk about history. He's good stuff!
To date - the village has been so gracious with me. I have received 11 watermelon, 1 papaya, 3 oranges, bags of cassava chips and snacks, one raw egg, a used sticker.....drinks. There's even a man that likes to bring me plates of food for dinner.
Men aren't allowed into my hut (ground rules of my counterpart) so they stand outside and chat with me or I go outside to join them. The women just walk themsleves right on it -- bouncing babies and talking so fast I can't understand them half the time!
Unforunately I had a incident that brought me back into the city for awhile....
Last week Friday 1:00am I was almost asleep when I hear my name being called - urgently. So I open my eyes, as they are adjusting to the dark - I see a HAND pulling down my window shutter thing. Then a bright light - (flashlight) being shone in my eyes! He's still calling my name as he makes quick work of tearing down my window (so forceful that he took it off the top hinge) He's at the window by the side of my bed. He got his foot up on the window - and at this point, I took my yoga book and chucked it at his head. It didn't detour him to much, and I didn't want to touch him...so I took my pillow and started to wack and wack him. Luckily he was stuck between the wall and my mosquito netting around my bed. I was able to push him back out the window. He ran. I pulled the window thing back closed (this took some time as I didn't want to go outside...) I turned on every single flashlight I had and lantern...and candles. Since there is still bats in my walls - I was freaking out cuz I couldn't tell if it was the man or the bats rustling around....so I sat by my front door and waited for my friend Waotto to walk by on his way to the bush. (he goes at 4:30am) once I saw his flashlight I called out to him...he helped calm me down and get in contact with P.Corps. They came and took me back to the city. I'm still here, as they are securing my house, and holding meetings on what to do to make it safe for me and see if they can figure out who the man is that did this. I do want to go back to WH, the women and everyone I've met are amazing, and I really like my house and village. I just want a safe home -- ya know?
Luckily some of my friends are coming in on Sunday so it'll be good to see everyone and get caught up with how they are doing at site.
Hopefully I'm back at site by Wens of next week ;)
Love ya all - and hope everyone is doing well!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Third times a charm
It's go time again!
This is HOPEFULLY the last you'll hear from me for at least a month - maybe three! :)
Water is being filled into huge containers to head out to site with me.
There was massive amounts of yellow butterflies swarming around the last few days...this means apparently that it's going to be one hot and dry - dry season. Thank god for huge containers of water - and being close to the river!
I'm heading to the bathroom and to gear myself up for the ride!
Love ya like RedVines.
xoxox!
This is HOPEFULLY the last you'll hear from me for at least a month - maybe three! :)
Water is being filled into huge containers to head out to site with me.
There was massive amounts of yellow butterflies swarming around the last few days...this means apparently that it's going to be one hot and dry - dry season. Thank god for huge containers of water - and being close to the river!
I'm heading to the bathroom and to gear myself up for the ride!
Love ya like RedVines.
xoxox!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
'Sorry!' - For whaaa..Ouchhh! - 'For THAT'
My stomach is still trying to relocate itself back where it belongs after the ride back from site yesterday. Good news, Con's (the driver) beat his best time on the drive. So...that's super exciting ;) After a watch check - we high fived the accomplishment. Hand's down the bumpiest path EVER driven. I was like popcorn in that seat!
House Update:
132 bats, a dozen coackroachs, five more toads...and 2 seckas later. The house is finished!
Honestly I watched from the sidelines as 132 bats, flew single file out of just ONE side of the house yesterday. ( I didn't count the day before's amount.....that's probably a good things as I was told yesterday's was nothing compared to the day before)
Water Update:
Tomas the counterpart is on a task. I'm to call him tonite at 5. He should be somewhere with reception at that time. He is talking to someone from the Ministry about getting the Durotank filled, and will fill me in tonite. (fill used twice in one sentence...nice!)
Con's (or as I politely call him - Speed Racer) came up with a great solution. We were driving behind a Daf truck (for all of 2 second before passing them) and they had these HUGE plastic containers full of diesel fuel. Lightbulb - get some of those huge containers and fill them with water in the city.....transport out to WH and fill the Durotank. I looked at him with admiration and wondered why I didn't think of that....
Con's rocks. He even....after a full day of house teardown, and re-build... took my Durotank and cleaned it inside with bleach water...(I helped with this part...until I brought out a scrub brush, he laughed and smiled and instructed me to get a broom...'it'll be much quicker') Speed. That man doesn't mess around!
So I'm back til tomorrow or maybe Tuesday as I wait to know what Tomas will say about the pump issue.
At least one more nite of air conditioned sleep!
Ala Sani Bum.
House Update:
132 bats, a dozen coackroachs, five more toads...and 2 seckas later. The house is finished!
Honestly I watched from the sidelines as 132 bats, flew single file out of just ONE side of the house yesterday. ( I didn't count the day before's amount.....that's probably a good things as I was told yesterday's was nothing compared to the day before)
Water Update:
Tomas the counterpart is on a task. I'm to call him tonite at 5. He should be somewhere with reception at that time. He is talking to someone from the Ministry about getting the Durotank filled, and will fill me in tonite. (fill used twice in one sentence...nice!)
Con's (or as I politely call him - Speed Racer) came up with a great solution. We were driving behind a Daf truck (for all of 2 second before passing them) and they had these HUGE plastic containers full of diesel fuel. Lightbulb - get some of those huge containers and fill them with water in the city.....transport out to WH and fill the Durotank. I looked at him with admiration and wondered why I didn't think of that....
Con's rocks. He even....after a full day of house teardown, and re-build... took my Durotank and cleaned it inside with bleach water...(I helped with this part...until I brought out a scrub brush, he laughed and smiled and instructed me to get a broom...'it'll be much quicker') Speed. That man doesn't mess around!
So I'm back til tomorrow or maybe Tuesday as I wait to know what Tomas will say about the pump issue.
At least one more nite of air conditioned sleep!
Ala Sani Bum.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
The House
Someone send me booze, fast and lots of it.
I went out to site yesterday to help do some repairs (...who are we kidding...I stood there and chatted with the villagers while the guys worked) and that house is OHMYGOD.
My job of taking photos of the issues had me literally RUN out of the hut, with the workmen hot on my heels....bats FLYING at us, and cockroachs spilling from the inside of the walls they were tearing down. I just started laughing and was like -- seriously?! You're all kidding right?
As I was sweeping - I moved a piece of wood and three toads hopped out -- swept those guys right out the door.
So I will be commuting to work - if you will.....
Most of the house stuff is repaired - they made quick work of tearing down, SPRAYING and then putting new walls up for me. The inside of the house is done (I even got a little new concrete on the floor, the laterine is build, the shed/wash house has new concrete) and one side of the outside is completed....I'd say it's 90% done. I would just stay in the city til Monday (due to all the spraying of insectide and the concrete...I can't be there with the fumes) BUT...
Enter the new issue - the Durotank (rain water collector) had dead bats and worms in it...so the village dumped it. That is AWESOME, expect we are in dry season and that leaves me with no way to get water. So today I go back to talk to my counterpart about what to do -- honestly, what do I do!? Anyone? Ideas? So far I've come up with lugging it bucket by bucket from the river -- I'll be one buff lady by the end of dry season that's for sure. But river water is really not good to be cooking or drinking - even after a really good filter.
Peace Corps the toughtest job you'll ever love.
I'll update tonite as I will be going to site and returning to the city again today.
Luckily the driver knows 'a faster way' (a back road - literally the width of a deer path....and the bumpiest ride yet - this is saying A LOT, roads here are pretty bumpy....he's also the fastest driver I have EVER driven with too....so send hair dye as I'm going gray!) to make it there within 4 hours driving. Thank god for Land Rovers, 4 wheel drive...and seat belts!
Love,
your jungle job commuter
I went out to site yesterday to help do some repairs (...who are we kidding...I stood there and chatted with the villagers while the guys worked) and that house is OHMYGOD.
My job of taking photos of the issues had me literally RUN out of the hut, with the workmen hot on my heels....bats FLYING at us, and cockroachs spilling from the inside of the walls they were tearing down. I just started laughing and was like -- seriously?! You're all kidding right?
As I was sweeping - I moved a piece of wood and three toads hopped out -- swept those guys right out the door.
So I will be commuting to work - if you will.....
Most of the house stuff is repaired - they made quick work of tearing down, SPRAYING and then putting new walls up for me. The inside of the house is done (I even got a little new concrete on the floor, the laterine is build, the shed/wash house has new concrete) and one side of the outside is completed....I'd say it's 90% done. I would just stay in the city til Monday (due to all the spraying of insectide and the concrete...I can't be there with the fumes) BUT...
Enter the new issue - the Durotank (rain water collector) had dead bats and worms in it...so the village dumped it. That is AWESOME, expect we are in dry season and that leaves me with no way to get water. So today I go back to talk to my counterpart about what to do -- honestly, what do I do!? Anyone? Ideas? So far I've come up with lugging it bucket by bucket from the river -- I'll be one buff lady by the end of dry season that's for sure. But river water is really not good to be cooking or drinking - even after a really good filter.
Peace Corps the toughtest job you'll ever love.
I'll update tonite as I will be going to site and returning to the city again today.
Luckily the driver knows 'a faster way' (a back road - literally the width of a deer path....and the bumpiest ride yet - this is saying A LOT, roads here are pretty bumpy....he's also the fastest driver I have EVER driven with too....so send hair dye as I'm going gray!) to make it there within 4 hours driving. Thank god for Land Rovers, 4 wheel drive...and seat belts!
Love,
your jungle job commuter
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Tama it really is...serious this time.
I had a surreal day today....I have become accustom to being in the city ;) it'll be slightly sad to go to site. But I have to say - I'm ready!! I found this in my binder and really it sums up pretty much all of my feelings as of late.
...................................................
Be greatful for the freedom
To see others dreams
Bless your loneliness as much as you drank
Of your former companisonships.
All that you are experiencing now
Will become moods of future joys
So bless it all
Do not think your way superior
To another's
Do not venture to judge
But see things with fresh and open eyes
Do not condemn
But praise when you can
And when you can't, be silent.
Time now is a gift for you
A gift of freedom
To think and remember and understand
The ever perlexing past
And to recreate yourself anew
In order to transform time.
Live while you are alive
Learn the ways of silence and wisdom
Learn to act, learn a new speech
Learn to be what you are in the seed of your spirit.
Learn to free yourself from all the things
That have moulded you
And which limit your secret and undiscovered road.
Remember that all things which happen
To you are raw materials
Endlessly yielding of thoughts that could change your life
And go on doing so forever.
Never forget to pray and be thankful
For all things good or bad on the rich road
For everything is changeable
So long as you live while you are alive.
Fear not, but be full of light and love
Fear not, but be alert and receptive
Fear not, but act decisively when you should
Fear not, but know when to stop
Fear not, for you are loved by me
Fear not, for death is not the real terror,
But life-magically-is.
Be joyful in your silence
Be strong in your patience
Do not try to wrestle with the universe
But be sometimes like water or air
Sometimes like fire
And constant like earth.
Live slowly, think slowly, for time is a mystery.
Never forget that love
Requires always that you be
The greatest person you are capable of being
Self-regenerating and strong and gentle
Your own hero and star.
Love demands the best in us
To always and in time overcome the worst
And lowest in our souls
Love the world wisely.
It is love alone that is the greatest weapon
And the deepest and hardest secret.
So fear not
The darkest is gentler than you think
Be grateful for the manifold
Dreams of creation
And the many ways of the unnumbered peoples.
Be grateful for life as you live it
And may a wonderful light
Always guide you on the unfolding road.
.....................................................................
xoxoxoxo always.
mk
...................................................
Be greatful for the freedom
To see others dreams
Bless your loneliness as much as you drank
Of your former companisonships.
All that you are experiencing now
Will become moods of future joys
So bless it all
Do not think your way superior
To another's
Do not venture to judge
But see things with fresh and open eyes
Do not condemn
But praise when you can
And when you can't, be silent.
Time now is a gift for you
A gift of freedom
To think and remember and understand
The ever perlexing past
And to recreate yourself anew
In order to transform time.
Live while you are alive
Learn the ways of silence and wisdom
Learn to act, learn a new speech
Learn to be what you are in the seed of your spirit.
Learn to free yourself from all the things
That have moulded you
And which limit your secret and undiscovered road.
Remember that all things which happen
To you are raw materials
Endlessly yielding of thoughts that could change your life
And go on doing so forever.
Never forget to pray and be thankful
For all things good or bad on the rich road
For everything is changeable
So long as you live while you are alive.
Fear not, but be full of light and love
Fear not, but be alert and receptive
Fear not, but act decisively when you should
Fear not, but know when to stop
Fear not, for you are loved by me
Fear not, for death is not the real terror,
But life-magically-is.
Be joyful in your silence
Be strong in your patience
Do not try to wrestle with the universe
But be sometimes like water or air
Sometimes like fire
And constant like earth.
Live slowly, think slowly, for time is a mystery.
Never forget that love
Requires always that you be
The greatest person you are capable of being
Self-regenerating and strong and gentle
Your own hero and star.
Love demands the best in us
To always and in time overcome the worst
And lowest in our souls
Love the world wisely.
It is love alone that is the greatest weapon
And the deepest and hardest secret.
So fear not
The darkest is gentler than you think
Be grateful for the manifold
Dreams of creation
And the many ways of the unnumbered peoples.
Be grateful for life as you live it
And may a wonderful light
Always guide you on the unfolding road.
.....................................................................
xoxoxoxo always.
mk
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Gone Batty
Well as most of you have figured out via Facebook....I'm not at site! :)
Bats have chosen to nest (do bats nest?) inside the walls of my hut - for this reason, I'm on-hold in the city for awhile! I guess it's like a serious bat cave -- and the village people have tried to get rid of them....in the process of de-battin' -- the house walls are in shambles. (?!) I don't really understand either.
I don't mind hanging out for awhile in AC and munchin on ice in my drinks...
It's quiet with everyone gone and I'm not quite sure what to do with myself. I ran around like and got all my shopping done earlier, so I've just been kinda chilling out here.
Drama did unfold this morning though...as the last 5 set off this morning for site. Helping load up and getting all their gear go-to-go.....
I realize that my bedframe was missing!! Mattress is there - with my name on it, but the rest has vanished!
Seriously. I dropped like all my spending allowance (well almost all of it) on a bed. I don't think I could do a hammock for two years. Some people can - and I envy then...but I need a bed.
Carolina just called me from her site - she's rockin' the hammock, and does a-okay with it. Ms. Carolina is doing fine, washing in the river, getting to know her village and people. She was calling to wish me happy travels, but alas - I'm still in the city! ;) She did not appricate hearing that I'm eating someone elses cooking and drink cold drinks. Big love to her today!! (I got sssh'd by a lady to not talk on the phone and then she mutter something in Dutch to me....yipes!)
Hopefully the bed thing get's straightened out - not to overly worried at this point.
Swear-in was amazing. They televised it here - and my counterpart Thomas came to see me get my pin. We had a really nice group dinner after and a late nite out ;) Bamie is my favorite dish here, it's pasta-ish....spicy, and yum in the tum. I think it's actually Indonesian...but whatevas it's my favorite here.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080105044203AAUKKPr
The recipe has meat in it - I don't usually see it with meat here (sometimes chicken...but never pork)
Wow - this lady is getting mad, another phone call! :) I'm gonna get out of here now...
Later taters!
Bats have chosen to nest (do bats nest?) inside the walls of my hut - for this reason, I'm on-hold in the city for awhile! I guess it's like a serious bat cave -- and the village people have tried to get rid of them....in the process of de-battin' -- the house walls are in shambles. (?!) I don't really understand either.
I don't mind hanging out for awhile in AC and munchin on ice in my drinks...
It's quiet with everyone gone and I'm not quite sure what to do with myself. I ran around like and got all my shopping done earlier, so I've just been kinda chilling out here.
Drama did unfold this morning though...as the last 5 set off this morning for site. Helping load up and getting all their gear go-to-go.....
I realize that my bedframe was missing!! Mattress is there - with my name on it, but the rest has vanished!
Seriously. I dropped like all my spending allowance (well almost all of it) on a bed. I don't think I could do a hammock for two years. Some people can - and I envy then...but I need a bed.
Carolina just called me from her site - she's rockin' the hammock, and does a-okay with it. Ms. Carolina is doing fine, washing in the river, getting to know her village and people. She was calling to wish me happy travels, but alas - I'm still in the city! ;) She did not appricate hearing that I'm eating someone elses cooking and drink cold drinks. Big love to her today!! (I got sssh'd by a lady to not talk on the phone and then she mutter something in Dutch to me....yipes!)
Hopefully the bed thing get's straightened out - not to overly worried at this point.
Swear-in was amazing. They televised it here - and my counterpart Thomas came to see me get my pin. We had a really nice group dinner after and a late nite out ;) Bamie is my favorite dish here, it's pasta-ish....spicy, and yum in the tum. I think it's actually Indonesian...but whatevas it's my favorite here.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080105044203AAUKKPr
The recipe has meat in it - I don't usually see it with meat here (sometimes chicken...but never pork)
Wow - this lady is getting mad, another phone call! :) I'm gonna get out of here now...
Later taters!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Peacing out...
Hey guys!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEVO!!! YEAHH!! I wish I was there to celebrate with you - I'm totally thinking of you today ;)
Chris - when I say city for the next two years...I mean the capital of Suriname NOT Chicago. Way to funny ;)
We swear-in this evening and head out before it's light out tomorrow. This is it for the next three months guys!
I wish I had more to report, but it's been lots of shopping, and running around still.
Í find it odd here - there is no place to buy posters, or things to hang on the walls.....I guess I'll have to get creative ;)
I bought a LOT of purple buckets and tubs. Tupperware is another things in high demand here. I will be writing my name on all of mine...hot commodity in the interior villages!
Short and sweet and jetting out now....will have some good stories for you in the coming months!
xoxoxox
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEVO!!! YEAHH!! I wish I was there to celebrate with you - I'm totally thinking of you today ;)
Chris - when I say city for the next two years...I mean the capital of Suriname NOT Chicago. Way to funny ;)
We swear-in this evening and head out before it's light out tomorrow. This is it for the next three months guys!
I wish I had more to report, but it's been lots of shopping, and running around still.
Í find it odd here - there is no place to buy posters, or things to hang on the walls.....I guess I'll have to get creative ;)
I bought a LOT of purple buckets and tubs. Tupperware is another things in high demand here. I will be writing my name on all of mine...hot commodity in the interior villages!
Short and sweet and jetting out now....will have some good stories for you in the coming months!
xoxoxox
Thursday, July 31, 2008
madness today...
Today has been craziness and it's not even noon yet!
Shopping for the hut began.
Yesterday I spent almost $700 SRD on a bed. (this is a lot for me...I know it sounds silly, but that's more then half my spending budget) I think you all pretty much know my love of sleeping - and as much as I love my purple hammack. I'm super pumped to have a bed!
Today - I woke at 6:30am to hop in the shower and hoof it to the office for a meeting (there were just 4 of us from the group going, so no transport there) BUT I did stop for an expensive cup of REAL coffee. In fact it was a 'Red Eye'(for those non coffee drinkers that a cup of coffee with a shot of esspreso in it) Slice of heaven!
Last nite our CD invited us over for a truly amazing dinner. It was so relaxing to be in a ''home" and her decorating style is right up my alley. Beautiful home. I finished the nite with a big piece of Apple Pie. Then back to the room to watch Adventures in Babysitting on Kristin's computer. Good times!
Shopping for hut items today - you guys it's a riot. Buying 'meat buckets' to hold my food (to keep safe from rats and kakaaka...cockroachs) plastic chairs and pots and pans. I wonder if I can find a martini shaker here ;)
So it's a short one today as I have to get back to it...I do need to find a dress as well. Forgot to pack one for swear-in and I don't think they would appricate me showing up in my tank top and ripped pants. I'm really, really, REALLY missing my wardrobe from home this week.
Love ya all - and thanks for all the well wishs. I'll try to check in tomorrow, but it's crunch time here. xoxoxox!
Shopping for the hut began.
Yesterday I spent almost $700 SRD on a bed. (this is a lot for me...I know it sounds silly, but that's more then half my spending budget) I think you all pretty much know my love of sleeping - and as much as I love my purple hammack. I'm super pumped to have a bed!
Today - I woke at 6:30am to hop in the shower and hoof it to the office for a meeting (there were just 4 of us from the group going, so no transport there) BUT I did stop for an expensive cup of REAL coffee. In fact it was a 'Red Eye'(for those non coffee drinkers that a cup of coffee with a shot of esspreso in it) Slice of heaven!
Last nite our CD invited us over for a truly amazing dinner. It was so relaxing to be in a ''home" and her decorating style is right up my alley. Beautiful home. I finished the nite with a big piece of Apple Pie. Then back to the room to watch Adventures in Babysitting on Kristin's computer. Good times!
Shopping for hut items today - you guys it's a riot. Buying 'meat buckets' to hold my food (to keep safe from rats and kakaaka...cockroachs) plastic chairs and pots and pans. I wonder if I can find a martini shaker here ;)
So it's a short one today as I have to get back to it...I do need to find a dress as well. Forgot to pack one for swear-in and I don't think they would appricate me showing up in my tank top and ripped pants. I'm really, really, REALLY missing my wardrobe from home this week.
Love ya all - and thanks for all the well wishs. I'll try to check in tomorrow, but it's crunch time here. xoxoxox!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Bittersweet - more sweet then bitter....
'Suria - Alucan tongo namo!!!' (speak alucan only) I will not cry over leaving the piercing voice and commanding presence that is Ceclia! Who- by the way, I found out is pregnant! Number six to debut this November!
Boslanti - I do admit having grown found of....
Little things - like 4 yr old Lillia holding my hand and sliently walking every morning with me to class. Watching Chaco grow at an alarming rate! 2 new teeth and walking now! Allentan counting...1,2,6,7,3 - his pronunciation PERFECT, now if we can just get the order straight we're in business! Raqwell, serious Raqwell, I'll miss catching the glimpies of her being a 10 yr old...when she's not cooking or cleaning - and allowed to just play cat's cradle with me. Jonsue - I think I may just miss being chased all over the village by a 6 yr old with a bugger, or snake or worm in hand. Begorbee, sweet little Begorbee....I'll miss his fabulous hugs and his nightly saranade of 'Suria - you a de tha Hokie Pokie andy u shake ite all over...' coming through the wall as we retire for the nite.
I feel prepared and ready to move forward on this adventure they call Peace Corps!
Although last week was our final language test - and due to a lingering cold I developed larangites (lost my voice for 6 days!) RIGHT before testing! So soon we'll see how prepared my tester things I am... ;) Losing the voice was a test in pacience. As I've mentioned many times before not greeting is considered extremely rude. SO I had to whisper ' mi siki aini mi neki' to the whole village for 6 days. Everyone there was excited for me when I got my voice back! I was elated to get it back - as my hearing was honestly about to go! Seems people here think because I couldn't talk, they should compensate and talk LOUDER to me. Especially our beloved, already amazingly strong voiced - Celcia.
Some of my favorite events that occured in the last 3 weeks:
1. After a full day of langauge - crossing the river for tech training....missing both breakfast and lunch...I returned to a wonderful, steaming hot bowl of chicken feet!! (Peter Pan is magical and having him stashed away has really saved me here!)
2. While visiting my girls in Drapoda..Partner-in Crime Kate with me...At around midnite.
Climbing through the window of Joesy's locked hut (she was at another village that nite) navagating our way around in the dark, finding her flashlight - but NOT the bag of M&M's we were treasure hunting for!
3. Organizing and witnessing the kids (40 of them) play Cat and Dog. (It's Duck, Duck, Goose but I didn't know the word in Aulcan for Goose)
4. Sucessfully pulling off a health day for the village kids. (some adults showed up too!) Where Lynn, Wayne and I each did a demo/presentation. Mine was handwashing, Lynn tooth care, Wayne minor wound treatment. Kids love the smell of soap!
5. When 6..10-15 yr old boys were playing noisely in the area we take class....watching calm, cool, easy going Lynn - JUMP out of her seat, lose it and chase the kids screaming in English -- SHUT UP AND GET OUT!!
6. Sneaking out my window late at nite to go dancing to the beat of the drums.
7. Waking up in sheer panic, thinking I wet my hammack. (Note: wind pants do NOT make good sleeping pants...they tend to make you sweaty.) No hammack wetting - just sweating!
This is the naked city - nothing goes unseen. So yes - I did get repremanded for number 6. 'Suria me a whippie U!' Ceclia the protective host mom---with a vicious bark. I just smile at her and give her cookies as peace offerings!
So Sur 14 BACK together again-- all 24 strong and in the city till the 1st! This is the last time our group will be united for a while now...as we swear-in on the 1st then off to our perm sites. Bittersweet my friends...bittersweet.
Love-hugs and kisses to you all. I'll update ya tomorrow on the fun of the city!!
xoxoxoxo always!
Boslanti - I do admit having grown found of....
Little things - like 4 yr old Lillia holding my hand and sliently walking every morning with me to class. Watching Chaco grow at an alarming rate! 2 new teeth and walking now! Allentan counting...1,2,6,7,3 - his pronunciation PERFECT, now if we can just get the order straight we're in business! Raqwell, serious Raqwell, I'll miss catching the glimpies of her being a 10 yr old...when she's not cooking or cleaning - and allowed to just play cat's cradle with me. Jonsue - I think I may just miss being chased all over the village by a 6 yr old with a bugger, or snake or worm in hand. Begorbee, sweet little Begorbee....I'll miss his fabulous hugs and his nightly saranade of 'Suria - you a de tha Hokie Pokie andy u shake ite all over...' coming through the wall as we retire for the nite.
I feel prepared and ready to move forward on this adventure they call Peace Corps!
Although last week was our final language test - and due to a lingering cold I developed larangites (lost my voice for 6 days!) RIGHT before testing! So soon we'll see how prepared my tester things I am... ;) Losing the voice was a test in pacience. As I've mentioned many times before not greeting is considered extremely rude. SO I had to whisper ' mi siki aini mi neki' to the whole village for 6 days. Everyone there was excited for me when I got my voice back! I was elated to get it back - as my hearing was honestly about to go! Seems people here think because I couldn't talk, they should compensate and talk LOUDER to me. Especially our beloved, already amazingly strong voiced - Celcia.
Some of my favorite events that occured in the last 3 weeks:
1. After a full day of langauge - crossing the river for tech training....missing both breakfast and lunch...I returned to a wonderful, steaming hot bowl of chicken feet!! (Peter Pan is magical and having him stashed away has really saved me here!)
2. While visiting my girls in Drapoda..Partner-in Crime Kate with me...At around midnite.
Climbing through the window of Joesy's locked hut (she was at another village that nite) navagating our way around in the dark, finding her flashlight - but NOT the bag of M&M's we were treasure hunting for!
3. Organizing and witnessing the kids (40 of them) play Cat and Dog. (It's Duck, Duck, Goose but I didn't know the word in Aulcan for Goose)
4. Sucessfully pulling off a health day for the village kids. (some adults showed up too!) Where Lynn, Wayne and I each did a demo/presentation. Mine was handwashing, Lynn tooth care, Wayne minor wound treatment. Kids love the smell of soap!
5. When 6..10-15 yr old boys were playing noisely in the area we take class....watching calm, cool, easy going Lynn - JUMP out of her seat, lose it and chase the kids screaming in English -- SHUT UP AND GET OUT!!
6. Sneaking out my window late at nite to go dancing to the beat of the drums.
7. Waking up in sheer panic, thinking I wet my hammack. (Note: wind pants do NOT make good sleeping pants...they tend to make you sweaty.) No hammack wetting - just sweating!
This is the naked city - nothing goes unseen. So yes - I did get repremanded for number 6. 'Suria me a whippie U!' Ceclia the protective host mom---with a vicious bark. I just smile at her and give her cookies as peace offerings!
So Sur 14 BACK together again-- all 24 strong and in the city till the 1st! This is the last time our group will be united for a while now...as we swear-in on the 1st then off to our perm sites. Bittersweet my friends...bittersweet.
Love-hugs and kisses to you all. I'll update ya tomorrow on the fun of the city!!
xoxoxoxo always!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Happy 4th of July a day late!
Hey guys!
So it's the 5th here and we are heading over to the Ambassator's place for an afternoon of bbq'ing swimming, music and partying. I'm excited to get in that pool! We've met her before, and she's a really cool lady....so we should have a good time and celebrate the 4th! I don't think there will be fireworks ;) but a POOL is sounding really nice!
We head back out for the remaining of our training tomorrow, the dreaded return to homestay ;)and I'm kinda bummed to leave the city (and all the peace corps people!) We've definitely been having a blast here. I will request knowledge on cleaning fish AND Ms. Ilya I learned that raw gutted fish can sit out for a good 6 hours before it spoils. If cooked it can probably make it overnite...without refridgeration. Eggs don't need to be in the fridge...and tofu can last awhile as well. And never fear -- there is ALWAYS peanut butter! I have a new respect for peanut butter. I have also realizedwhat a luxury ice-cubes and COLD liquids are in the city.
I've been rooming with Michelle, and this morning she was kind enough to pluck my eyebrows...not a bad job! I borrowed some earrings and will apply makeup today, I got a good look in the mirror the other day. I no longer have red hair, infact it's almost blondish (I cut it before I left so it's cropped right above my shoulders) I'm insanely tan except for the tops of my legs ;) and red were the bug bits are on me. There's been a few people that have gotten staff infections - damn, that stuff is nasty looking! We're a tough group!
We had laungage for a few hours this morning, and learned the Suriname Anthem, I think we have to sing it (and the Star Spangled Banner) at swear in. I swear in on Bevin's Birthday! (August 1st!) So Bevo - I'll be thinking of you as I belt those out in my amazing singing voice!
We've all been having a great time running around the city - and last nite we sat at the waterfront and listened to I'm not lying....Greatest Wedding Songs of All Times....and shared drinks and laughs with all the PCV's left in Suriname. Sur 12 has started to head home...so everyone is in the city.
I learned today that if I drop Moth Balls down the tiny holes in my house that the bats fly in and out...that they will leave and not return. Apparently moth balls replies bats, squirrels (Ilya again...for your deck area, if you don't mind the smell of moth balls!) and all those critters.
There are also going to smoke bomb my house for the creepy crawlies. So I should be a-okay by move-in!
I grabbed a quick tuna sandwich here - and realized that this country puts ketchup on everything....this has been noted for further eating experiences! ;)
Kinda random post today - but I it's been a lot of hanging out with PCV's and doing random stuff...I love you all and will write hopefully next month.
ps - I could use a yoga book of poses.
Peace out my loves!!
So it's the 5th here and we are heading over to the Ambassator's place for an afternoon of bbq'ing swimming, music and partying. I'm excited to get in that pool! We've met her before, and she's a really cool lady....so we should have a good time and celebrate the 4th! I don't think there will be fireworks ;) but a POOL is sounding really nice!
We head back out for the remaining of our training tomorrow, the dreaded return to homestay ;)and I'm kinda bummed to leave the city (and all the peace corps people!) We've definitely been having a blast here. I will request knowledge on cleaning fish AND Ms. Ilya I learned that raw gutted fish can sit out for a good 6 hours before it spoils. If cooked it can probably make it overnite...without refridgeration. Eggs don't need to be in the fridge...and tofu can last awhile as well. And never fear -- there is ALWAYS peanut butter! I have a new respect for peanut butter. I have also realizedwhat a luxury ice-cubes and COLD liquids are in the city.
I've been rooming with Michelle, and this morning she was kind enough to pluck my eyebrows...not a bad job! I borrowed some earrings and will apply makeup today, I got a good look in the mirror the other day. I no longer have red hair, infact it's almost blondish (I cut it before I left so it's cropped right above my shoulders) I'm insanely tan except for the tops of my legs ;) and red were the bug bits are on me. There's been a few people that have gotten staff infections - damn, that stuff is nasty looking! We're a tough group!
We had laungage for a few hours this morning, and learned the Suriname Anthem, I think we have to sing it (and the Star Spangled Banner) at swear in. I swear in on Bevin's Birthday! (August 1st!) So Bevo - I'll be thinking of you as I belt those out in my amazing singing voice!
We've all been having a great time running around the city - and last nite we sat at the waterfront and listened to I'm not lying....Greatest Wedding Songs of All Times....and shared drinks and laughs with all the PCV's left in Suriname. Sur 12 has started to head home...so everyone is in the city.
I learned today that if I drop Moth Balls down the tiny holes in my house that the bats fly in and out...that they will leave and not return. Apparently moth balls replies bats, squirrels (Ilya again...for your deck area, if you don't mind the smell of moth balls!) and all those critters.
There are also going to smoke bomb my house for the creepy crawlies. So I should be a-okay by move-in!
I grabbed a quick tuna sandwich here - and realized that this country puts ketchup on everything....this has been noted for further eating experiences! ;)
Kinda random post today - but I it's been a lot of hanging out with PCV's and doing random stuff...I love you all and will write hopefully next month.
ps - I could use a yoga book of poses.
Peace out my loves!!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Wait...timeout - what day is it again?
I have completely lost all concept of days of the week lately! I returned from my site visit yesterday and am back in the city until Sunday morning.
After meeting my counterpart at NAKS we headed out for a 5 day site visit.
My counterpart let me know that he held a village meeting and if any man in the village tries to proposition me in anyway, they would be delt with harshly, with the threat of being kicked out of the village! Protective Tomas.
Wanhatti is unbelievable!
It's a 3hour bumpy bus ride to the boat (it's got an outboard motor, but plank seats that honestly really hurt my butt!) :) the boat ride is about another 3 hours. It was a crazy journey (shocking...) out to site. It had rained pretty hard again, so the bus was slower moving, and the lady sitting in front of me had a case of the cha cha cha's so we stopped frequently to let her off and back on again....once we got on the boat (Tomas my counterpart made sure that I wore my bright red lifevest...safety mariah, you put on water shirt!) the heaven's opened and it poured and poured on us. They use umbrella's as shields and hide behind them and huddle under them. It's kinda fun, as you're smooshed next to each other trying not to get drenched. I played patty cake with the girl sitting across from me ;)
We arrived at Wanhatti around 5:00pm and got off the boat just steps from my house to be! Honestly it'll take your breathe away the view from my front door. It's straight up river and jungle. The pathway to the village is slightly away from the front of the house so people are walking by, but not close enough that they are in my 'space' if you will.
House:
It's an actual houselike house. Concrete floors, and wooden walls.
The radio station (it's one room) shares an area of the house. Tiny but I'm use to tiny.
Electricity CAN come on sometimes from 7-11pm
I have a bedroom!! So I can get a bed and not have to sleep in my hammack! (someone send me some sheets -- this made me sooo happy!! I have room for a bed!!) Bedroom is about the size of my bathroom in Chicago, but I'm SOO excited!
Currently there are bats living in the walls of the house, and wasps were making a hive in the corner...cockroachs the size of my plam were running a round, and a toad hopped in a few times ;)
The village and the people:
There are about 200 people total. Everyone works in the bush, they are huge gardeners. Watermelon is a favorite crop. Everyone's plots are huge, each family has at least one plot. No smaller then the size of a football field. Plots are set back in the jungle and you MUST wear boots and carry your machette. They are extremely hard workers. The men also do a lot of net fishing. It's the most traditional village on the river. Heathens is what the missionary called most of the Maroon people, I about wet my pants when I heard that. There is the Moon house and spirit strings on children. I met one pregnant lady who was covered in a healing wash (she smelled of rum and herbs and had a cracked egg on her head)
There is also a 'dead house' where they place the body of the person who has died - (they embalm them) and they party and play music and celebrate their spirit. There are things called Wintees. You 'catch' a wintee and it causes you to shake uncontrolably, talk in tongues, and basically freak the f-out. You are considered posessed by evil spirits, and have to go to the medicane man if this happens.
Mi kissie fishie fu yu!
The next morning of my stay the captian (he's the the highest of high to repect in the village - nothing happens in the villlage without his consent, kinda in a premative way of a major) came knocked on my door....I opened it and he shoved a plate with three LIVE fish, still gasping for breathe at me. You have to accept gives like this, especially from the CAPTIAN. So I took them and thanked him a bunch. I promptly put those fish in a bucket and filled it with water.
I had no idea what to do with those guys!
Next up a 12 yr old girl came to give odie. She sat down and we spoke in my limited langauge - I love that girl (I can't remember her name for the life of me) but she's awesome. (she would follow me through the village carrying a chair, everytime I stopped she would put down the chair for me to sit in....I felt strangely worshipped...) She asked me for the fish that the captian gave me, You don't even want to know how much she laughed til she cried when I showed her the bucket. She was completely confused. I did my standard response, smiled and laughed. We grabbed them out of the bucket and she took them away.
She came back 10 mins later, and they were cleaned and gutted. She hands them back to me again. Then she ran off to do her chores.
Geezz, now what do I do with them!? I don't have a fridge (or electricity) so I was like 'Thank you soo much for cleaning the fish!' It was 9:30am and I have raw dead fish in my house. I put another plate to cover them, and promptly left the house to visit with the village!
I got up to the group of women who are kinda like the leaders of the womens group. They are laughing at me. (shocking again) and have me sit down, and want me to braid their hair. Me braiding hair is usually always a disaster, but it helps to intergrate...we all get a kick out of it.
Then they lead me over to help them make cassava bread. Again there is a ton of laughter and then are loving the fact that I'm trying to flip (baaka baaka) the bread on the hot iron covering the wood fire. It was sooo hot, and smoke got in my eyes, my nose started running...it was a wonderful mess. I love these ladies! They just smile at me and cheered for me, as I flipped the bread and it went everywhere ;)
Rain came - and I headed over to meet Sa Besty. Instantly I knew I would love her. She's over 90 yrs old and cynial. She has a pet parrot named Maria. Sa Betsy -- while I was visiting her a Chinese man came on a motor scooter (I'm still trying to figure out how he got there) to sell clothes. She calls out to him, and actually did buy a blouse - as he's leaving he did something she didn't like (I think he squashed a plant with his bike) and she screams out 'you chinese dog! You're mom's a pumpkin!
Sa Betsy is fiesty!
There is a girl also named Mariah in the village. The midwife named her, the village calls her Yolanda though..so there shouldn't be any confusion.
I spent July 1st there - it was the 145 year of Masipasi, (Suriname's independance day) It's a huge celebrating, everyone hands out sweets, kids have the day off of school, and there is dancing.
One of the women came to get me, and handed me a gift - a pangi! I got gifts of sweets and they dressed me traditionally for dancing that day.
I went to church first, where they sung songs, and celebrated - then outside we sat and ate.....Wanhatti has a band (Come Back Boys) and they pounded on those drums and sangs...and we danced and danced!! Our fearless Captian was all dressed up for the occassion. (He was wearing a Sea Captian's Hat.....ya, I'm serious) He likes the rum, and got himself hammered! His wife took him, and his chair home. It was a wonderful site to see.
Wanhatti and I are going to do just fine.
Last nite we partied our butts of here in the city - karoke and fun with the Sur 12's and 13's as the 12's are heading back home this month.
As always much more to tell you - but I'm running out of time.
If you guys think about it - I would LOVE deep conditioning conditioner, leave-in conditioner, a speaker for my ipod, Secret deorderant, more flip flops. Big Red or Flare gum, pepperment patties....and nail polish for my toes. ;)
Love and kisses!! More hopefully soon before I head out to finish homestay!
After meeting my counterpart at NAKS we headed out for a 5 day site visit.
My counterpart let me know that he held a village meeting and if any man in the village tries to proposition me in anyway, they would be delt with harshly, with the threat of being kicked out of the village! Protective Tomas.
Wanhatti is unbelievable!
It's a 3hour bumpy bus ride to the boat (it's got an outboard motor, but plank seats that honestly really hurt my butt!) :) the boat ride is about another 3 hours. It was a crazy journey (shocking...) out to site. It had rained pretty hard again, so the bus was slower moving, and the lady sitting in front of me had a case of the cha cha cha's so we stopped frequently to let her off and back on again....once we got on the boat (Tomas my counterpart made sure that I wore my bright red lifevest...safety mariah, you put on water shirt!) the heaven's opened and it poured and poured on us. They use umbrella's as shields and hide behind them and huddle under them. It's kinda fun, as you're smooshed next to each other trying not to get drenched. I played patty cake with the girl sitting across from me ;)
We arrived at Wanhatti around 5:00pm and got off the boat just steps from my house to be! Honestly it'll take your breathe away the view from my front door. It's straight up river and jungle. The pathway to the village is slightly away from the front of the house so people are walking by, but not close enough that they are in my 'space' if you will.
House:
It's an actual houselike house. Concrete floors, and wooden walls.
The radio station (it's one room) shares an area of the house. Tiny but I'm use to tiny.
Electricity CAN come on sometimes from 7-11pm
I have a bedroom!! So I can get a bed and not have to sleep in my hammack! (someone send me some sheets -- this made me sooo happy!! I have room for a bed!!) Bedroom is about the size of my bathroom in Chicago, but I'm SOO excited!
Currently there are bats living in the walls of the house, and wasps were making a hive in the corner...cockroachs the size of my plam were running a round, and a toad hopped in a few times ;)
The village and the people:
There are about 200 people total. Everyone works in the bush, they are huge gardeners. Watermelon is a favorite crop. Everyone's plots are huge, each family has at least one plot. No smaller then the size of a football field. Plots are set back in the jungle and you MUST wear boots and carry your machette. They are extremely hard workers. The men also do a lot of net fishing. It's the most traditional village on the river. Heathens is what the missionary called most of the Maroon people, I about wet my pants when I heard that. There is the Moon house and spirit strings on children. I met one pregnant lady who was covered in a healing wash (she smelled of rum and herbs and had a cracked egg on her head)
There is also a 'dead house' where they place the body of the person who has died - (they embalm them) and they party and play music and celebrate their spirit. There are things called Wintees. You 'catch' a wintee and it causes you to shake uncontrolably, talk in tongues, and basically freak the f-out. You are considered posessed by evil spirits, and have to go to the medicane man if this happens.
Mi kissie fishie fu yu!
The next morning of my stay the captian (he's the the highest of high to repect in the village - nothing happens in the villlage without his consent, kinda in a premative way of a major) came knocked on my door....I opened it and he shoved a plate with three LIVE fish, still gasping for breathe at me. You have to accept gives like this, especially from the CAPTIAN. So I took them and thanked him a bunch. I promptly put those fish in a bucket and filled it with water.
I had no idea what to do with those guys!
Next up a 12 yr old girl came to give odie. She sat down and we spoke in my limited langauge - I love that girl (I can't remember her name for the life of me) but she's awesome. (she would follow me through the village carrying a chair, everytime I stopped she would put down the chair for me to sit in....I felt strangely worshipped...) She asked me for the fish that the captian gave me, You don't even want to know how much she laughed til she cried when I showed her the bucket. She was completely confused. I did my standard response, smiled and laughed. We grabbed them out of the bucket and she took them away.
She came back 10 mins later, and they were cleaned and gutted. She hands them back to me again. Then she ran off to do her chores.
Geezz, now what do I do with them!? I don't have a fridge (or electricity) so I was like 'Thank you soo much for cleaning the fish!' It was 9:30am and I have raw dead fish in my house. I put another plate to cover them, and promptly left the house to visit with the village!
I got up to the group of women who are kinda like the leaders of the womens group. They are laughing at me. (shocking again) and have me sit down, and want me to braid their hair. Me braiding hair is usually always a disaster, but it helps to intergrate...we all get a kick out of it.
Then they lead me over to help them make cassava bread. Again there is a ton of laughter and then are loving the fact that I'm trying to flip (baaka baaka) the bread on the hot iron covering the wood fire. It was sooo hot, and smoke got in my eyes, my nose started running...it was a wonderful mess. I love these ladies! They just smile at me and cheered for me, as I flipped the bread and it went everywhere ;)
Rain came - and I headed over to meet Sa Besty. Instantly I knew I would love her. She's over 90 yrs old and cynial. She has a pet parrot named Maria. Sa Betsy -- while I was visiting her a Chinese man came on a motor scooter (I'm still trying to figure out how he got there) to sell clothes. She calls out to him, and actually did buy a blouse - as he's leaving he did something she didn't like (I think he squashed a plant with his bike) and she screams out 'you chinese dog! You're mom's a pumpkin!
Sa Betsy is fiesty!
There is a girl also named Mariah in the village. The midwife named her, the village calls her Yolanda though..so there shouldn't be any confusion.
I spent July 1st there - it was the 145 year of Masipasi, (Suriname's independance day) It's a huge celebrating, everyone hands out sweets, kids have the day off of school, and there is dancing.
One of the women came to get me, and handed me a gift - a pangi! I got gifts of sweets and they dressed me traditionally for dancing that day.
I went to church first, where they sung songs, and celebrated - then outside we sat and ate.....Wanhatti has a band (Come Back Boys) and they pounded on those drums and sangs...and we danced and danced!! Our fearless Captian was all dressed up for the occassion. (He was wearing a Sea Captian's Hat.....ya, I'm serious) He likes the rum, and got himself hammered! His wife took him, and his chair home. It was a wonderful site to see.
Wanhatti and I are going to do just fine.
Last nite we partied our butts of here in the city - karoke and fun with the Sur 12's and 13's as the 12's are heading back home this month.
As always much more to tell you - but I'm running out of time.
If you guys think about it - I would LOVE deep conditioning conditioner, leave-in conditioner, a speaker for my ipod, Secret deorderant, more flip flops. Big Red or Flare gum, pepperment patties....and nail polish for my toes. ;)
Love and kisses!! More hopefully soon before I head out to finish homestay!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Today I held eyeliner in my hand for the first time in over a month, I looked at it and just laughed!
I'm the only girl to return to NAKS, and I have come to think of it as the Hilton of Suriname. A FLUSH toliet, cold shower, and bed with thin - short cushion, how I've missed you!
Homestay. The Hinderland. Homestay Family. Culture. Cultural traditions. Food. Laterines. Things I never in a million years would image I would do....
Boslanti is where I hang my hammack - and it's been a wild, crazy ride. I don't even really know where to begin - I guess the begining is a good a start as any...
We climbed aboard our trusty waggie and headed out bright eyed, and anxious to see our new homes and families - we were all getting dropped at our locations, I knew I was heading to Boslanti with the older married couple Lynn and Wayne.
I can't even tell you the value of the shock when it came to drop off the first group at their site. As much as we've been told, it's true - seeing is believing. The waggie pulled over on the side of the road, and we had our first view of the village lives we would be living....fear had struck.
A good portion of time later it was my turn to exit the waggie, last stop. The three of us are the only one's across the river. We unloaded our goods, and headed to the riverside. A man in a dugout canoe was crossing over to get us. It honestly was surreal. We loaded our gear and headed across the river (already I was put to work, using a cut-out milk jug to bail water out)
We pull into the otherside, women standing and washing, cleaning dishes, cleaning clothes - we just cruise right up into them. Climb out of the canoe - bombarded by childern! They grab my bags - and are all eyes on us - touching, talking....following.
We get to my new home. It's a hut honestly the all totalling the size of my Chicago livingroom. Three rooms, one is mine, one contains both kichen and livingroom, the other where everyone else sleeps.
I could go on and on about my host family, but feel I should just keep it brief. Basically I have a mom Ceclia and she has 5 kid. All under the age of 10. I'll give more details on her....later.
I set up my hammock - put together my water filter, came out of my room (the door is only a sheet) and got the first look at them all. They got their first look at me. We tried to communicate. I think the first thing that came out of my mouth was - a miti oo da. (good evening dad) It was 10:00am. She replied with something, soo crazy sounding, and with such speed....I just smiled at her. The oldest child made a jesture of taking a photo. We kinda still do function in a daily ritual of gestures.
The village life and my daily routine:
Kids are naked 24/7. Yes, you just get used to it. Women wear pangis - usually coming up just beneath their boobs.
I wake around 5:00am It's impossible not too - as rosters begin to call, and my family wakes then. (The wall between us doesn't go all the way up to the ceiling, and there is a hole where I can kinda see them (and them me) if you turn just right.
6:00am - wash in the river
6:30am - breakfast of tea and bread with peanut butter
8:00am - language class
noon - end of class
12:30 - lunch
2:00pm - wash again, this time including dishes
2-6:00pm misc stuff, there is ALWAYS something to do....(Tuesday and Thursday we cross the river for training and Friday's we spend the whole day across with more training)
7:00pm - dinner
8:00pm - hut get's locked
Village life.
Everyone greets (giving odie) there is a greeting for morning, afternoon and evening. Translated it's really a pretty thing.
Good morning mam'.
Good morning to you...How did you wake?
I woke beautiful....how did you wake?
I woke beautiful.
Iya. (I think this just means 'yes')
Iya!
Afternoon and evening is the same - and again you ask how they woke.
If you don't greet, you are considered rude and WILL be talked about at the river. (liba) Always greet.
The village has more kids then adults and teenagers combined.
Kids run the village - and it's now a 'normal' thing for me to look out the door and have a kid wave or say hi to me...while doing number two. Yup!
I've been able to stick to my veggie diet, as rice is the staple, and they live off of the land. They use a lot of salt and a lot of sugar though, imagine two bullion cubes mashed into a small portion of fish, then salt to top it off. ;)
The people are wonderful and curious and friendly. We sing a lot of cultural songs...half the time the all stop and laugh at me. I seem to always be doing or saying something that entertians them! My village is stunningly goergous! At dusk the mist sets on the river, and it's breathe taking. Palm trees, with pineapple growing randomly, plucking fruit from the tree....it's unreal how primative and wonderful it is....
Homestay itself is treat I'll have for the next post...as I'm running out of time.
I still need to give you the updates on pee pots, laterines....and details on my family. It's all such good stuff.....I'll make sure and get to it on the next post.
Training:
We dug a 7 foot hole for the beginnings of the latrine we are constructing as a project....make kaka osu. (make pop house)
Learning the laungage
learning how to develop sastainable business and projects
We also when on a fieldtrip to a fantastically amazing place with waterfalls and crazy animals....
times up.....peace out and more soon. WRITE ME!
Love ya!
Homestay. The Hinderland. Homestay Family. Culture. Cultural traditions. Food. Laterines. Things I never in a million years would image I would do....
Boslanti is where I hang my hammack - and it's been a wild, crazy ride. I don't even really know where to begin - I guess the begining is a good a start as any...
We climbed aboard our trusty waggie and headed out bright eyed, and anxious to see our new homes and families - we were all getting dropped at our locations, I knew I was heading to Boslanti with the older married couple Lynn and Wayne.
I can't even tell you the value of the shock when it came to drop off the first group at their site. As much as we've been told, it's true - seeing is believing. The waggie pulled over on the side of the road, and we had our first view of the village lives we would be living....fear had struck.
A good portion of time later it was my turn to exit the waggie, last stop. The three of us are the only one's across the river. We unloaded our goods, and headed to the riverside. A man in a dugout canoe was crossing over to get us. It honestly was surreal. We loaded our gear and headed across the river (already I was put to work, using a cut-out milk jug to bail water out)
We pull into the otherside, women standing and washing, cleaning dishes, cleaning clothes - we just cruise right up into them. Climb out of the canoe - bombarded by childern! They grab my bags - and are all eyes on us - touching, talking....following.
We get to my new home. It's a hut honestly the all totalling the size of my Chicago livingroom. Three rooms, one is mine, one contains both kichen and livingroom, the other where everyone else sleeps.
I could go on and on about my host family, but feel I should just keep it brief. Basically I have a mom Ceclia and she has 5 kid. All under the age of 10. I'll give more details on her....later.
I set up my hammock - put together my water filter, came out of my room (the door is only a sheet) and got the first look at them all. They got their first look at me. We tried to communicate. I think the first thing that came out of my mouth was - a miti oo da. (good evening dad) It was 10:00am. She replied with something, soo crazy sounding, and with such speed....I just smiled at her. The oldest child made a jesture of taking a photo. We kinda still do function in a daily ritual of gestures.
The village life and my daily routine:
Kids are naked 24/7. Yes, you just get used to it. Women wear pangis - usually coming up just beneath their boobs.
I wake around 5:00am It's impossible not too - as rosters begin to call, and my family wakes then. (The wall between us doesn't go all the way up to the ceiling, and there is a hole where I can kinda see them (and them me) if you turn just right.
6:00am - wash in the river
6:30am - breakfast of tea and bread with peanut butter
8:00am - language class
noon - end of class
12:30 - lunch
2:00pm - wash again, this time including dishes
2-6:00pm misc stuff, there is ALWAYS something to do....(Tuesday and Thursday we cross the river for training and Friday's we spend the whole day across with more training)
7:00pm - dinner
8:00pm - hut get's locked
Village life.
Everyone greets (giving odie) there is a greeting for morning, afternoon and evening. Translated it's really a pretty thing.
Good morning mam'.
Good morning to you...How did you wake?
I woke beautiful....how did you wake?
I woke beautiful.
Iya. (I think this just means 'yes')
Iya!
Afternoon and evening is the same - and again you ask how they woke.
If you don't greet, you are considered rude and WILL be talked about at the river. (liba) Always greet.
The village has more kids then adults and teenagers combined.
Kids run the village - and it's now a 'normal' thing for me to look out the door and have a kid wave or say hi to me...while doing number two. Yup!
I've been able to stick to my veggie diet, as rice is the staple, and they live off of the land. They use a lot of salt and a lot of sugar though, imagine two bullion cubes mashed into a small portion of fish, then salt to top it off. ;)
The people are wonderful and curious and friendly. We sing a lot of cultural songs...half the time the all stop and laugh at me. I seem to always be doing or saying something that entertians them! My village is stunningly goergous! At dusk the mist sets on the river, and it's breathe taking. Palm trees, with pineapple growing randomly, plucking fruit from the tree....it's unreal how primative and wonderful it is....
Homestay itself is treat I'll have for the next post...as I'm running out of time.
I still need to give you the updates on pee pots, laterines....and details on my family. It's all such good stuff.....I'll make sure and get to it on the next post.
Training:
We dug a 7 foot hole for the beginnings of the latrine we are constructing as a project....make kaka osu. (make pop house)
Learning the laungage
learning how to develop sastainable business and projects
We also when on a fieldtrip to a fantastically amazing place with waterfalls and crazy animals....
times up.....peace out and more soon. WRITE ME!
Love ya!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
It's time for the next chapter
So tomorrow bright and early we head off to our homestays!
I'm nervous. I will be staying in a small village across the river from where we will be meeting once a week as a group. Far away from everyone, with a new family and lifestyle. I will have a host mom, dad and five new sisters and brothers in my new home. I just repacked everything (again) and feel slightly under prepared. Netting and hammock and making sure to pack my 'piss pot'...yup. How do you really prepare for this, ya know?
I hope you guys will practice your penmanship and write me often! I will not have computer access for at least the next month. Send pictures too guys! The address is the Peace Corps office in Suriname - Attention: Mariah Klekner (I don't know it off the top of my head, but I'm sure you guys can figure it out!)
Just throwing this out there - there is no Big Red or Flare gum here. It's all tropcial flavors ;) Also I've been craving a cup of strong tea. The coffee here is instant, and I've adjusted okay to that...not the place to be a coffee snob ;)
Soon I will be learning to catch and gut fish (kill and pluck chicken also....if I wanted) cook on a wood fire (build a wood fire) construct and row a dugout cannoe, thatch a hut roof, wash everything PROPERLY in the river, including myself....I'm going into a traditional home, so all the pagan rituals will be practiced, I'm looking forward to that definitely! Garden and planting (Nina, my perm cite is huge on growing watermelon!! I totally thought of you!) eggplant, and peppers, coconuts, pineapples....and things I have no idea what to call or prepare. I'm excited to learn to cook here. Also plucking fruit straight off the tree is such a treat! The land will fast become my provider (and my toliet!) What a grand adventure! ;)
Okay...I'm still nervous!! All my love to you guys - and I look forward to getting your letters!
xoxoxo - muah!
I'm nervous. I will be staying in a small village across the river from where we will be meeting once a week as a group. Far away from everyone, with a new family and lifestyle. I will have a host mom, dad and five new sisters and brothers in my new home. I just repacked everything (again) and feel slightly under prepared. Netting and hammock and making sure to pack my 'piss pot'...yup. How do you really prepare for this, ya know?
I hope you guys will practice your penmanship and write me often! I will not have computer access for at least the next month. Send pictures too guys! The address is the Peace Corps office in Suriname - Attention: Mariah Klekner (I don't know it off the top of my head, but I'm sure you guys can figure it out!)
Just throwing this out there - there is no Big Red or Flare gum here. It's all tropcial flavors ;) Also I've been craving a cup of strong tea. The coffee here is instant, and I've adjusted okay to that...not the place to be a coffee snob ;)
Soon I will be learning to catch and gut fish (kill and pluck chicken also....if I wanted) cook on a wood fire (build a wood fire) construct and row a dugout cannoe, thatch a hut roof, wash everything PROPERLY in the river, including myself....I'm going into a traditional home, so all the pagan rituals will be practiced, I'm looking forward to that definitely! Garden and planting (Nina, my perm cite is huge on growing watermelon!! I totally thought of you!) eggplant, and peppers, coconuts, pineapples....and things I have no idea what to call or prepare. I'm excited to learn to cook here. Also plucking fruit straight off the tree is such a treat! The land will fast become my provider (and my toliet!) What a grand adventure! ;)
Okay...I'm still nervous!! All my love to you guys - and I look forward to getting your letters!
xoxoxo - muah!
Friday, May 30, 2008
PCV Visit
What an adventure!
Just returned back from PCV visit. I was at Shai's cite along with KC. It's all starting to become very real now. I spent the nites sleeping in the hammock, rising and resting with the sun. It's sooo intensely, fiercely hot out, that there is not much you can do during the peak hours other then try to stay out of the sun. We arrived early afternoon on cite. And met the Basitgon (village second in command, Captian is the first in command, but he wasn't in the village) The Basitgon at Shai's cite is 81 years old and completely functioning and with it. We took a bottle of rum over to him as an offering. He performed a ceromony for us and passed along a shot. Seriously, I can usually drink with the best of them.....that rum burned my throat on up to my ears, I couldn't speak for two minutes! We stayed with him for awhile as he told us stories and Shai translated.
Women wash in the river (clothes, dishs, bodies...) and are traditional and modest. Men wash either before the women, or after -- never during the same time. The village pop was about 100 or less.
The river was breathe taking. (the bugs and their biting.....I wanted to cry!) It's a lush tropical rainforest. Everywhere you looked it was goregous.
We met ALL the childern, as they were the first to come and greet us. They swarmed in and climbed all over us....bringing us fruit right off the trees. My red hair was a hit, they loved to braid. The children spoke a slight amount of English, (due to Shai's English classes) and I feel in my village will be a great source of help learning Alcwan.
The people are bueatiful. Everyone is curious and welcoming - it's rude in their culture if you don't greet. When you do greet it recieves a full on converstational reply. Something I think is slightly lacking in the States.
We spent a lot of time yesterday with a family across the creek. The husband is Alcwan, the wife Dutch. He has an amazing garden (he chopped down coconuts for us to drink the water straight from...delicious!) he takes the fruits and veggies to the neighboring city by bike - to sell. She teachs at the boarding school up the street. She was able to speak broken English, and while he strummed the gutiar she told us about the civil war in the 80's (with some translation help) What an amazing story, the history of Suriname is something I look forward to learning more about.
Every nite a young guy (I thought at first he was 14, but was told he's at least 20) would stop over and bring us treats from the bush. Forms of work and getting money are soo different. He wakes up early (around 5-6ish) heads into the bush to gather fruits, nuts - plant leaves....sells them on the road or in the closest town - and saves that money to get into the capital.
We head out to our homestays on Sunday - so this is the last of cold showers (changing those over to bucket, river washing) and any form of computer access. I'm excited to hear how everyone else's cite visits went. This is the last of our time together....as homestays we all live seperately.
More soon. Sleepie mooie!
Just returned back from PCV visit. I was at Shai's cite along with KC. It's all starting to become very real now. I spent the nites sleeping in the hammock, rising and resting with the sun. It's sooo intensely, fiercely hot out, that there is not much you can do during the peak hours other then try to stay out of the sun. We arrived early afternoon on cite. And met the Basitgon (village second in command, Captian is the first in command, but he wasn't in the village) The Basitgon at Shai's cite is 81 years old and completely functioning and with it. We took a bottle of rum over to him as an offering. He performed a ceromony for us and passed along a shot. Seriously, I can usually drink with the best of them.....that rum burned my throat on up to my ears, I couldn't speak for two minutes! We stayed with him for awhile as he told us stories and Shai translated.
Women wash in the river (clothes, dishs, bodies...) and are traditional and modest. Men wash either before the women, or after -- never during the same time. The village pop was about 100 or less.
The river was breathe taking. (the bugs and their biting.....I wanted to cry!) It's a lush tropical rainforest. Everywhere you looked it was goregous.
We met ALL the childern, as they were the first to come and greet us. They swarmed in and climbed all over us....bringing us fruit right off the trees. My red hair was a hit, they loved to braid. The children spoke a slight amount of English, (due to Shai's English classes) and I feel in my village will be a great source of help learning Alcwan.
The people are bueatiful. Everyone is curious and welcoming - it's rude in their culture if you don't greet. When you do greet it recieves a full on converstational reply. Something I think is slightly lacking in the States.
We spent a lot of time yesterday with a family across the creek. The husband is Alcwan, the wife Dutch. He has an amazing garden (he chopped down coconuts for us to drink the water straight from...delicious!) he takes the fruits and veggies to the neighboring city by bike - to sell. She teachs at the boarding school up the street. She was able to speak broken English, and while he strummed the gutiar she told us about the civil war in the 80's (with some translation help) What an amazing story, the history of Suriname is something I look forward to learning more about.
Every nite a young guy (I thought at first he was 14, but was told he's at least 20) would stop over and bring us treats from the bush. Forms of work and getting money are soo different. He wakes up early (around 5-6ish) heads into the bush to gather fruits, nuts - plant leaves....sells them on the road or in the closest town - and saves that money to get into the capital.
We head out to our homestays on Sunday - so this is the last of cold showers (changing those over to bucket, river washing) and any form of computer access. I'm excited to hear how everyone else's cite visits went. This is the last of our time together....as homestays we all live seperately.
More soon. Sleepie mooie!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Purple Hammock and a Chamber Pot
Yup - how good is my fortune. (Actually my ablity to sway a trade, red for purple)
Today there is a huge thunder and lighting storm here. We had language class in the morning followed by shots (yellow fever and heb B round 2) discussion on what to do in case of burns, cuts, broken limbs --- our book title 'Where there is no Doctor' covers all this wonderful info! ;) (page 6 informs us that killing the witch woman will not save us) Also got our med kits today.
This afternoon some current pcv's came to share stories on intergrating into their communities and the challanges they faced the first couple months. One guy informed us that he locked himself in his hut for the first month cuz he was intimated by it all -- solid! :)
We leave tomorrow to visit some pcv cites. I'm traveling 3 hour bus to 5 hour boat, we're staying for four days. Trying to pack tonite and see what all I need for the few days there. Once we get back on Saturday we pack again and are off to our homestay/training. Once there - no internet connection.
I sewed a hem for the first time yesterday!! I've never used a needle to sew before in my entire life! My hem is pretty funny looking, but hey - who would have thought! It was a lazy day here yesterday as Saturday we rose early to go to the capital, from 9a-9:30pm we were walking around and checking out how to shop, where to go, buying some stuff (pangis) and then had a history tour - and dinner. 5 of us used our negotiation skills to take a cab back home instead of the bus. (Yes Michael....we Sarah Jessica Parker'ed it!) money is TIGHT, I really have to budget and am not to overly use to this - but it's a good lesson for me to learn.
Sunday was a welcome break to the activities. Slept in, ate, did the hem thing, landury, braided hair -- typical summer camp day again. Jolted back again to reality today though. Trap hunting warning pamplet and shots will do that to you!
Peace out!
Today there is a huge thunder and lighting storm here. We had language class in the morning followed by shots (yellow fever and heb B round 2) discussion on what to do in case of burns, cuts, broken limbs --- our book title 'Where there is no Doctor' covers all this wonderful info! ;) (page 6 informs us that killing the witch woman will not save us) Also got our med kits today.
This afternoon some current pcv's came to share stories on intergrating into their communities and the challanges they faced the first couple months. One guy informed us that he locked himself in his hut for the first month cuz he was intimated by it all -- solid! :)
We leave tomorrow to visit some pcv cites. I'm traveling 3 hour bus to 5 hour boat, we're staying for four days. Trying to pack tonite and see what all I need for the few days there. Once we get back on Saturday we pack again and are off to our homestay/training. Once there - no internet connection.
I sewed a hem for the first time yesterday!! I've never used a needle to sew before in my entire life! My hem is pretty funny looking, but hey - who would have thought! It was a lazy day here yesterday as Saturday we rose early to go to the capital, from 9a-9:30pm we were walking around and checking out how to shop, where to go, buying some stuff (pangis) and then had a history tour - and dinner. 5 of us used our negotiation skills to take a cab back home instead of the bus. (Yes Michael....we Sarah Jessica Parker'ed it!) money is TIGHT, I really have to budget and am not to overly use to this - but it's a good lesson for me to learn.
Sunday was a welcome break to the activities. Slept in, ate, did the hem thing, landury, braided hair -- typical summer camp day again. Jolted back again to reality today though. Trap hunting warning pamplet and shots will do that to you!
Peace out!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Wan Hati
We just washed our clothes (one bucket with soap - one without) in the front of our rooms - the sun is hot today, and I'm changing colors!
We got our CITE LOCATIONS TODAY!
Wan Hati- it's an Aucan village located approximately 200 km South of Paramaribo. It's at the Cottica River in the District of Marowujni. The travel time to and from Wan Hati and Paramaribo is approximately 3-4 hours by van or bus or boat. It's a traditional village, which can be recognized by their landing jetty along the river with an 'entrance' made up of hanging palm leaves that serve to protect the village from evil spirits from the outside. The village has a traditional meeting place, a central sacrificial area (whoo....ee) and a special hut (Moon Hut) where the local women have to stay a few days during thier monthly period. Maroons typically live in complex societies and thier economies are diverse, typically featuring some combination of the following: agriculture, mining, hunting, fishing, trading and woodcarving. There is no running water - and electricity system operates through a generator daily between 7p,-11pm. The village consists of approximately 300 people and is managed by a Dorpsbeturr (village management) actually headed by a captian.
So there it is! Eco-tourism - developing the gardens (flowers, fruit, veggies) that the women have been tending to turn into a tourist attraction as well as conservation. I will have my job assignment in more full details tomorrow.
YESTERDAY we started the day with a health class about all the 'great' things that happen in the Hinderland. (Interior) You don't even want me to begin to list the great bugs, spiders, snakes, cats, bats....that will be surounding us! :) We also had a 'girl' hour to go over the expectations of women in the tribes. The Moon Hut and washing our 'facie' also men tend to have more then one wife/girlfriend. Doc came again today with more 411 on health. It's beginning to overwhelm.
Jeff and I were talking about it - 'here's all the bugs,(stuff) that will kill you, you don't know the launguage - miles from another volunteer - not sure of what your projects actually are - oh and you don't have electricity or running water. And take your malaria pills tonite - they can cause wicked bad dreams.' :)
We did get to eat lunch with the Ambassitor of Suriname. She's amazing and totally not what I would have expected. In the sense that she's younger, laid back and easy to be around. I admire her, and am inspired by her stories. I look forward to getting to know more about her.
Summer Camp here in Lillydorp is about to end my friends. The realities of it all are starting to hit. As safey, health, bugs and creepy crawlies, tribal cultures...are being discussed now in more detail.
I'm heading for a beer....peace out-be good.
We got our CITE LOCATIONS TODAY!
Wan Hati- it's an Aucan village located approximately 200 km South of Paramaribo. It's at the Cottica River in the District of Marowujni. The travel time to and from Wan Hati and Paramaribo is approximately 3-4 hours by van or bus or boat. It's a traditional village, which can be recognized by their landing jetty along the river with an 'entrance' made up of hanging palm leaves that serve to protect the village from evil spirits from the outside. The village has a traditional meeting place, a central sacrificial area (whoo....ee) and a special hut (Moon Hut) where the local women have to stay a few days during thier monthly period. Maroons typically live in complex societies and thier economies are diverse, typically featuring some combination of the following: agriculture, mining, hunting, fishing, trading and woodcarving. There is no running water - and electricity system operates through a generator daily between 7p,-11pm. The village consists of approximately 300 people and is managed by a Dorpsbeturr (village management) actually headed by a captian.
So there it is! Eco-tourism - developing the gardens (flowers, fruit, veggies) that the women have been tending to turn into a tourist attraction as well as conservation. I will have my job assignment in more full details tomorrow.
YESTERDAY we started the day with a health class about all the 'great' things that happen in the Hinderland. (Interior) You don't even want me to begin to list the great bugs, spiders, snakes, cats, bats....that will be surounding us! :) We also had a 'girl' hour to go over the expectations of women in the tribes. The Moon Hut and washing our 'facie' also men tend to have more then one wife/girlfriend. Doc came again today with more 411 on health. It's beginning to overwhelm.
Jeff and I were talking about it - 'here's all the bugs,(stuff) that will kill you, you don't know the launguage - miles from another volunteer - not sure of what your projects actually are - oh and you don't have electricity or running water. And take your malaria pills tonite - they can cause wicked bad dreams.' :)
We did get to eat lunch with the Ambassitor of Suriname. She's amazing and totally not what I would have expected. In the sense that she's younger, laid back and easy to be around. I admire her, and am inspired by her stories. I look forward to getting to know more about her.
Summer Camp here in Lillydorp is about to end my friends. The realities of it all are starting to hit. As safey, health, bugs and creepy crawlies, tribal cultures...are being discussed now in more detail.
I'm heading for a beer....peace out-be good.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Ku Morgu - and a blast from last week
Ohmigod!
Thanks Brent soo much for the picture link!! I about wet myself here in the computer lab!
http://picasaweb.google.com/brett.sandusky/MariahSPartyAtFizzBar
Thanks again to everyone that came out to see me off! That was really great of you guys, and I felt soo loved, and well...um, drunk! :)
I have the best group of friends ever!
The rain continues to fall today in Suriname. But it was pointed out to me that in our backyard there is a cashew TREE ( I didn't know that cashews grew on trees....) a pepper, mango, papya, cherry and some other random green fruit. And the banana's are the best!
My goal to lose weight here - ya...hum ;) I think that will happen once we get to our sites.
We find that out on Thursday - and I'm very excited to know my exact project and where I will be spending my time for the next two year.
We've been kept so busy - yet nothing overwhelming. It still feels like summer camp. Except I get a little frustrated that I can't find the post office here. (and it' a small city!)
Once on cite - (we go next week for homestays) there will be no electricity - and now we only have cold water. People here rise with the sun and rest with the sun. I do get a little ansy and have been teaching yoga at nite to a group of people to pass the time. OKAY, and the occasional pavo beer gets shared as well. ;)
We started to learn our launguages (there are three tribal and Dutch) I have a memory of a nat, so it's fun to sit next to me in class. Classes are broken down to 4 to a group. Michelle is in my group - so at least she doesn't laugh to hard and is very kind when I continue to mispronounce the same word.
Fa-waka?
I go bum.
Rain rain and more rain - makes it hard to do laundry, as things have to line dry here. Jack's clean underwear are now midew smelling in the hallway. (where he set them to dry)
I look forward to hearing from you guys - so keep me posted on what you're doing! More news soon...
MUAH!
Thanks Brent soo much for the picture link!! I about wet myself here in the computer lab!
http://picasaweb.google.com/brett.sandusky/MariahSPartyAtFizzBar
Thanks again to everyone that came out to see me off! That was really great of you guys, and I felt soo loved, and well...um, drunk! :)
I have the best group of friends ever!
The rain continues to fall today in Suriname. But it was pointed out to me that in our backyard there is a cashew TREE ( I didn't know that cashews grew on trees....) a pepper, mango, papya, cherry and some other random green fruit. And the banana's are the best!
My goal to lose weight here - ya...hum ;) I think that will happen once we get to our sites.
We find that out on Thursday - and I'm very excited to know my exact project and where I will be spending my time for the next two year.
We've been kept so busy - yet nothing overwhelming. It still feels like summer camp. Except I get a little frustrated that I can't find the post office here. (and it' a small city!)
Once on cite - (we go next week for homestays) there will be no electricity - and now we only have cold water. People here rise with the sun and rest with the sun. I do get a little ansy and have been teaching yoga at nite to a group of people to pass the time. OKAY, and the occasional pavo beer gets shared as well. ;)
We started to learn our launguages (there are three tribal and Dutch) I have a memory of a nat, so it's fun to sit next to me in class. Classes are broken down to 4 to a group. Michelle is in my group - so at least she doesn't laugh to hard and is very kind when I continue to mispronounce the same word.
Fa-waka?
I go bum.
Rain rain and more rain - makes it hard to do laundry, as things have to line dry here. Jack's clean underwear are now midew smelling in the hallway. (where he set them to dry)
I look forward to hearing from you guys - so keep me posted on what you're doing! More news soon...
MUAH!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Just lean back - it should be okay!
Suriname - we have arrived!
All 25 of us have made it safely and are two days into our training. We got into the airport around 1:00am to find out bags and be greeted by the PVC volunteer HQ Director. Once everyone had their stuff we headed out to the transportation area.
Two bus/vans pull up. One for the luggage - one for us. Seriously, this was one of the funniest moments we had shared. On the bus, there is one side that had two seats, the other has one (by the window) then there is a FLIP seat that going into the alleyway. We were crammed in there like a bunch of sardines! In the dark of the early morning, and down the dusty dirt road we went!
About 45 mins later, we turned into the driveway - to hear cheers, laughing, yeahs!! The bus/van pulls up, and we are bombarded happily by the current volunteers!! It was sooo amazing the energy that they gave us!! They made a quick job of unloading our luagage and then helped us settle into our rooms. (Cirsten, Michelle and I are again roommates) and off they went!
We rose the next day LATE.....slept in til 9:30 and had to run to grab some toast and coffee. The food here is well.... ;) Class that day was easy, nice and that nite the current PCV's stopped back over to fill us in on how life is like in post. Then we headed out to grab a drink with them.....
Jack - all 60+ years of him --- plays a mean game of flippy cup! :) I also meet Jennifer Kleckner! She's serving now with her husband Levi. She and I made fast friends, and everyone just got along SOO well. It's a great group of Sur 14'ers --- and I really feel like the current PCV are pretty cool.
Yesterday we had the day to take a field trip into the interior and go swimming. The bus/van was insane!! Bumpy roads, red dirt --- stops on the side of the road to wet....all good fun!
It's good times here - but starting to get a little more indept with our programs and what we'll be doing for the next 2 years. I think now we're just getting settled in and they are letting us adjust a little.
I did teach my group a small yoga session last nite. Kelly the director is also a yogi (way better then myself!)
More later --- xoxoxo!!
All 25 of us have made it safely and are two days into our training. We got into the airport around 1:00am to find out bags and be greeted by the PVC volunteer HQ Director. Once everyone had their stuff we headed out to the transportation area.
Two bus/vans pull up. One for the luggage - one for us. Seriously, this was one of the funniest moments we had shared. On the bus, there is one side that had two seats, the other has one (by the window) then there is a FLIP seat that going into the alleyway. We were crammed in there like a bunch of sardines! In the dark of the early morning, and down the dusty dirt road we went!
About 45 mins later, we turned into the driveway - to hear cheers, laughing, yeahs!! The bus/van pulls up, and we are bombarded happily by the current volunteers!! It was sooo amazing the energy that they gave us!! They made a quick job of unloading our luagage and then helped us settle into our rooms. (Cirsten, Michelle and I are again roommates) and off they went!
We rose the next day LATE.....slept in til 9:30 and had to run to grab some toast and coffee. The food here is well.... ;) Class that day was easy, nice and that nite the current PCV's stopped back over to fill us in on how life is like in post. Then we headed out to grab a drink with them.....
Jack - all 60+ years of him --- plays a mean game of flippy cup! :) I also meet Jennifer Kleckner! She's serving now with her husband Levi. She and I made fast friends, and everyone just got along SOO well. It's a great group of Sur 14'ers --- and I really feel like the current PCV are pretty cool.
Yesterday we had the day to take a field trip into the interior and go swimming. The bus/van was insane!! Bumpy roads, red dirt --- stops on the side of the road to wet....all good fun!
It's good times here - but starting to get a little more indept with our programs and what we'll be doing for the next 2 years. I think now we're just getting settled in and they are letting us adjust a little.
I did teach my group a small yoga session last nite. Kelly the director is also a yogi (way better then myself!)
More later --- xoxoxo!!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
I stalked you on Facebook
Quote of the nite:
'So Mariah - this may be a personal question, I think you're soooo super fun, red hair and all-I could totally be into you...but do you dig woman? I totally stalked you on facebook and you are always with a haired blue eyed hottie. Honeslty...what's the deal?'
Yes my friends...I just sang kareko 'Jack and Diane' with my new PCV Pete...who thought that Nina and I were romantic lovers....just wanted to share the laughter.
Love you all.
'So Mariah - this may be a personal question, I think you're soooo super fun, red hair and all-I could totally be into you...but do you dig woman? I totally stalked you on facebook and you are always with a haired blue eyed hottie. Honeslty...what's the deal?'
Yes my friends...I just sang kareko 'Jack and Diane' with my new PCV Pete...who thought that Nina and I were romantic lovers....just wanted to share the laughter.
Love you all.
Miami and a new Roomie
Made it safely to Miami - after a full day of travel!
5 hours of training yesterday...no make-up and pictures ;) Awesome.
I couldn't NOT have been partnered with a more compatible roommate..Michelle.
She's from Philly and we share a love of the vino...and chats. We stayed up pretty
late last nite -after about 6 of us headed to dinner - we did a walking tour of each others packs and gear. Both Michelle and I are unprepared (shocking) but at least she brought as many tampons as me! :)
There's 25 of us heading out to Suriname tomorrow - we leave pretty early in the morning
and get there around midnite. I guess the temp there is like if you were to go in the bathroom, turn the shower on as hot as it gets...walk out and close the door. Go back in in 20 mins. (steamy and h-o-t)
It's a really great group of people - age ranges from 23 to a man in his late 50's. Two married couples and a good % of male to female.
I just learned there is some kind of poisionous snail??? Lots of learning going on here.
No tears yet.....but I'm sure they'll happen when I'm out of the conforts of my surroundings.
I miss everyone - and will post some pictures later of my new group of people I'm kickin' it with here.
Muah and much love! Vissa - boom, boom!!
5 hours of training yesterday...no make-up and pictures ;) Awesome.
I couldn't NOT have been partnered with a more compatible roommate..Michelle.
She's from Philly and we share a love of the vino...and chats. We stayed up pretty
late last nite -after about 6 of us headed to dinner - we did a walking tour of each others packs and gear. Both Michelle and I are unprepared (shocking) but at least she brought as many tampons as me! :)
There's 25 of us heading out to Suriname tomorrow - we leave pretty early in the morning
and get there around midnite. I guess the temp there is like if you were to go in the bathroom, turn the shower on as hot as it gets...walk out and close the door. Go back in in 20 mins. (steamy and h-o-t)
It's a really great group of people - age ranges from 23 to a man in his late 50's. Two married couples and a good % of male to female.
I just learned there is some kind of poisionous snail??? Lots of learning going on here.
No tears yet.....but I'm sure they'll happen when I'm out of the conforts of my surroundings.
I miss everyone - and will post some pictures later of my new group of people I'm kickin' it with here.
Muah and much love! Vissa - boom, boom!!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Green Tops
I just had a funny thought - I bought this condo cuz it's the top level and all the windows are surrounded with trees.
I DO like treehouses.
I DO like treehouses.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Queen of Procrastination
Trisha you will be so proud of me - I knocked out three more boxes and almost all dishes and glasses are wrapped and boxed. ;)
I broke the last of the silver trimmed wine glasses...shocking I know...right?
You would think I would use the less pretty wine glasses - I have full sets of those still. Well at least for now.
Hopefully in Suriname I will not be placed in charge of anything breakable!
I broke the last of the silver trimmed wine glasses...shocking I know...right?
You would think I would use the less pretty wine glasses - I have full sets of those still. Well at least for now.
Hopefully in Suriname I will not be placed in charge of anything breakable!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Jungle to Jungle
Chicago Facts and Trivia
1. The first Aquarium opened in Chicago, 1893.
2. The world's first Skyscraper was built in Chicago, 1885.
3. The Sears Tower, Chicago is the tallest building on the North American continent.
4. Illinois was the first state to ratify the 13th Amendment to the Constitution abolishing slavery.
5. On December 2, 1942, Enrico Fermi and a small band of scientists and engineers demonstrated that a simple construction of graphite bricks and uranium lumps could produce controlled heat. The space chosen for the first nuclear fission reactor was a squash court under the football stadium at the University of Chicago.
6. Chicago is home to the Chicago Water Tower and Pumping Station, the only buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire.
7. The ice cream "sundae" was named in Evanston. The piety of the town resented the dissipating influences of the soda fountain on Sunday and the good town fathers, yielding to this churchly influence, passed an ordinance prohibiting the retailing of ice cream sodas on Sunday. Ingenious confectioners and drug store operators obeying the law, served ice cream with the syrup of your choice without the soda. Objections then was made to christening a dish after the Sabbath. So the spelling of "sunday" was changed. It became an established dish and an established word and finally the "sundae".
8. Illinois has more units of government than any other state (i.e., city, county, township, etc.). Over six thousand. One contributing reason may be the township governments, which are generally six miles square.
9. Illinois boasts the highest number of personalized license plates, more than any other state.
10. The University of Illinois Conservatory is 37 feet high at its apex.
11. Chicago's Mercantile Exchange building was built entirely without an internal steel skeleton, as most skyscrapers; it depends on its thick walls to keep itself up
12. The trains that pass through Chicago's underground freight tunnels daily would extend over ten miles total in length.
13. The first animal purchased for the Lincoln Park Zoo was a bear cub, bought for $10 on June 1st, 1874
14. The University of Chicago opened on October 1, 1892 with an enrollment of 594 and a faculty of 103.
15. New York Sun editor Charles Dana, tired of hearing Chicagoans boast of the world's Columbian Exposition, dubbed Chicago the "Windy City."
16. Comedy showcase "Second City" was founded on North Wells Street in a former Chinese laundry in 1959
17. Chicago's first African American mayor, Harold Washington, took office in 1983
18. The 4 stars on the Chicago flag represent Fort Dearborn, the Chicago Fire, the World's Columbian Exposition, and the Century of Progress Exposition.
19. The Chicago Public Library is the world's largest public library with a collection of more than 2 million books.
20. The Chicago Post Office at 433 West Van Buren is the only postal facility in the world you can drive a car through.
___________________________________
Suriname Facts and Triva
1. The highest point in the Republic of Suriname is Juliana Top (1,230 m).
2. Eighty percent of Suriname is covered with tropical rainforest.
3. The Central Suriname Nature Reserve is a World Heritage site.
4. Early inhabitants of Suriname included the Arawak and the Carib people.
5. Christopher Columbus, in the service of Spain, sighted the coast of present-day Suriname in 1498.
6. Suriname was claimed by the Spanish in 1593. British colonists settled in Suriname in the first half of the seventeenth century. In 1667, the British exchanged their colony in Suriname for the Dutch possession of New Amsterdam (later named New York).
7. Suriname was formerly known as Dutch Guiana.
8. The Historic Inner City of Paramaribo is a World Heritage site. Paramaribo dates back to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
9. Jodensavanne, in the Para district, was a plantation founded by European Jews in the seventeenth century. It was abandoned after a fire in 1832.
10. African slaves were brought to Suriname to work on the coffee and sugar plantations. Slaves who escaped from the plantations formed settlements. These people were known as Maroons.
11. Slavery was abolished in 1863. Indentured labour from China, India, and Indonesia replaced slave labour.
12. Bauxite was discovered in Suriname at the beginning of the century.
13. The Aluminium Company of America started mining operations in Suriname in 1916.
14. Surinamers gained internal government in 1954.
15. Suriname achieved full independence from the Netherlands in 1975.
16. Following Suriname's independence, thousands of workers migrated to the Netherlands.
17. Floods in Suriname left over twenty thousand people homeless in May 2006.
____________________________________
1. The first Aquarium opened in Chicago, 1893.
2. The world's first Skyscraper was built in Chicago, 1885.
3. The Sears Tower, Chicago is the tallest building on the North American continent.
4. Illinois was the first state to ratify the 13th Amendment to the Constitution abolishing slavery.
5. On December 2, 1942, Enrico Fermi and a small band of scientists and engineers demonstrated that a simple construction of graphite bricks and uranium lumps could produce controlled heat. The space chosen for the first nuclear fission reactor was a squash court under the football stadium at the University of Chicago.
6. Chicago is home to the Chicago Water Tower and Pumping Station, the only buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire.
7. The ice cream "sundae" was named in Evanston. The piety of the town resented the dissipating influences of the soda fountain on Sunday and the good town fathers, yielding to this churchly influence, passed an ordinance prohibiting the retailing of ice cream sodas on Sunday. Ingenious confectioners and drug store operators obeying the law, served ice cream with the syrup of your choice without the soda. Objections then was made to christening a dish after the Sabbath. So the spelling of "sunday" was changed. It became an established dish and an established word and finally the "sundae".
8. Illinois has more units of government than any other state (i.e., city, county, township, etc.). Over six thousand. One contributing reason may be the township governments, which are generally six miles square.
9. Illinois boasts the highest number of personalized license plates, more than any other state.
10. The University of Illinois Conservatory is 37 feet high at its apex.
11. Chicago's Mercantile Exchange building was built entirely without an internal steel skeleton, as most skyscrapers; it depends on its thick walls to keep itself up
12. The trains that pass through Chicago's underground freight tunnels daily would extend over ten miles total in length.
13. The first animal purchased for the Lincoln Park Zoo was a bear cub, bought for $10 on June 1st, 1874
14. The University of Chicago opened on October 1, 1892 with an enrollment of 594 and a faculty of 103.
15. New York Sun editor Charles Dana, tired of hearing Chicagoans boast of the world's Columbian Exposition, dubbed Chicago the "Windy City."
16. Comedy showcase "Second City" was founded on North Wells Street in a former Chinese laundry in 1959
17. Chicago's first African American mayor, Harold Washington, took office in 1983
18. The 4 stars on the Chicago flag represent Fort Dearborn, the Chicago Fire, the World's Columbian Exposition, and the Century of Progress Exposition.
19. The Chicago Public Library is the world's largest public library with a collection of more than 2 million books.
20. The Chicago Post Office at 433 West Van Buren is the only postal facility in the world you can drive a car through.
___________________________________
Suriname Facts and Triva
1. The highest point in the Republic of Suriname is Juliana Top (1,230 m).
2. Eighty percent of Suriname is covered with tropical rainforest.
3. The Central Suriname Nature Reserve is a World Heritage site.
4. Early inhabitants of Suriname included the Arawak and the Carib people.
5. Christopher Columbus, in the service of Spain, sighted the coast of present-day Suriname in 1498.
6. Suriname was claimed by the Spanish in 1593. British colonists settled in Suriname in the first half of the seventeenth century. In 1667, the British exchanged their colony in Suriname for the Dutch possession of New Amsterdam (later named New York).
7. Suriname was formerly known as Dutch Guiana.
8. The Historic Inner City of Paramaribo is a World Heritage site. Paramaribo dates back to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
9. Jodensavanne, in the Para district, was a plantation founded by European Jews in the seventeenth century. It was abandoned after a fire in 1832.
10. African slaves were brought to Suriname to work on the coffee and sugar plantations. Slaves who escaped from the plantations formed settlements. These people were known as Maroons.
11. Slavery was abolished in 1863. Indentured labour from China, India, and Indonesia replaced slave labour.
12. Bauxite was discovered in Suriname at the beginning of the century.
13. The Aluminium Company of America started mining operations in Suriname in 1916.
14. Surinamers gained internal government in 1954.
15. Suriname achieved full independence from the Netherlands in 1975.
16. Following Suriname's independence, thousands of workers migrated to the Netherlands.
17. Floods in Suriname left over twenty thousand people homeless in May 2006.
____________________________________
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