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!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
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.
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