Happy Halloween!

So I have had about a "month" of school here. Why a "month" you might ask? Well if we don't count the first week of school in which we did absolutely nothing-the first day of school for the first hour it was me with about 600 students all staring at me-then the strikes for a few grades that have over 100 students, then the strikes for the students who don't have professors for certain classes, then the different holidays, the days it rains, then that leaves us with a few days of steady classes. For strikes that are not announced ahead of time, the students start blowing whistles and going into classes to let out the other students. I just pack up and run for safety before I get a rock to the head. Kidding. Kind of. A good part of the classes we do get to have I spend trying to understand what part they don't understand. This particular week has been junked because of too many strikes and holidays so I decided to spend the holiday eating way too much candy at the regional candy with another volunteer. I did try explaining Halloween to people at site, how people dress up weird and ask for candy at houses. I had grown men walking around saying "trick or treat" in a bad american accent for a few days, teaching them English phrases is a highlight of site.

Exciting news-I got electricity last week. In Burkina everything happens so slowly and with a lot of nagging, but I told them I wanted it and they made it happen fast. So fast that when I came home one night it was already dark and I walked out to my latrine and almost fell in the trenches outside my house for the power lines. Good surprise but not exactly how I wanted to find out that I am getting electricity.The next morning the electrician was knocking on my door at 6 am asking me to skip my classes so they could put it all in that morning.

Well thats about it for now, keep those awesome packages coming-they make my day and the day of the volunteer who so generously brings them down from Ouaga...I hear Christmas is around the corner and I dont have a santa hat yet (hint hint)!

Yup...I'm still alive

More than a week down, only about a bazillion left. The first day here was not nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. I only cried once! The PC sends us to site with a Burkinabe driver in PC vehicle with all of our stuff. The driver settles us in and helps us adjust a little. We had just met the Chef of the village and we were all at the local restaurant for lunch with the chef and about 10 other people I had supposedly met before. My driver tells me he is going to leave at about 1pm, it was only about 11:30 when he stands up announcing his departure. It literally took every bone in my body not to latch on and start crying begging him to stay a little longer, not to leave me alone in the bush. We move to say goodbyes and when I return the Chef starts laughing at me-and everyone else joins in- then hands me a tissue to dry my eyes because it was pretty obvious I had been crying.
As if I wasn't scared enough my first night to add to that I don't have electricity, didn't know where my lights were, don't have a door to my courtyard, and I had a bat visit me. The bat is now my friend who comes back every night at about the same time to scare the daylights out of me.
Back to the no door to the courtyard. I can literally hear every little movement that happens outside. It sounds like someone is on my house when they are walking 30 feet away. One of my first nights here I was talking on the phone in my bed which happens to be below the window. Someone decides that its either hilarious to terrify the Nasara at 8pm or that they want to chat. Either is a bad idea that late. The kid-I am pretty sure I know who it was and I gave them a hard time the next day-stood outside my window chanting "Madame. Madame" for a solid hour. After telling them to go away multiple times to go away they continued. Pretty sure they thought I was going to come out late at night to cozy. Ahhh probs not dude.
I have had to train people that I go to my house when It gets dark and don't answer the door and I wont open the door till 8 am for visitors. This morning my friend came over and said he stopped by at 6 am. I just stared at him and started laughing. People get up so early here they just assume I will too so its ok to wake me up at 6 am.
So far its been very interesting. I hate cooking inside because its so hot, so I just wait at other peoples houses for meals. They love it. They just assume I have no idea how to cook anything, which here you have to start from scratch so that is pretty much true. They ask me what I eat in the states to survive-apparently a girl who can't cook is pretty rare-and why I dont know how to make to, their favorite food that happens to be my least favorite. Again all I can is laugh at their expressions when I say we don't have that in the states.
Sorry for the delays but its hard to find time to get internet, power, and service all in the same day!
Oh and if you have any ideas for activities with no lights after dark when I am locked away in my house post them!
Last note-I have officially survived 3 months in Africa without pooping my pants!!!!!!! although there have definitely been some close calls!

Site announcement!

Wednesday we got our site placement, I will be living in Dourtenga for the next 2 years. It is a village in the south easternish region of Burkina just north of Ouargaye above Togo. There are 2 people from my stage closeish by and a few other girls closer to me from other stages. Tomorrow we go to Ouaga to meet our counterparts from our villages who will work with us and then visit our sites for a few days. I know that electricity came to my site in January and I could be getting it in my house soon! That means a fan!!!!!!!!!!!!! I also have an indoor shower-still means a bucket bath, but better than being outside!!!! We got to have a 4th of July party-great food and dancing at a local restaurant! It was almost like a party in the states except for no fireworks. Took our lang test and now I start learning Moore and continuing French. Wend ne kond kibare! ahh I think that means see you later!

Disclaimer

By the way this blog in no way reflects the views or opinions of the US Government or people as a whole, nor does it reflect the view or opinions of Burkina Faso or its government. This is a personal blog of my experience in the Peace Corps.

Happy early 4th!

So its been 3 weeks in Leo and there are definitely ups and downs. Last week I was so upset because I didn't think I could communicate at all and like I wasn't learning French any better and then the next day was roses and sunshine. Last week I went to the pool-yes there is one and it was great! It was at the hotel and kinda expensive but wonderful! They had American food like cheeseburgers!!!!!! Church here is a little different and there are may different kinds of churches. I have visited the protestant one with my friend and her family but I couldn't understand more than a few words. It was cool to watch with all the tantis dancing and singing! Wednesday we find out our site placements-I have been asked if I could teach biology and math at a site (of course!) and on the 4th we have another lang test so that we can hopefully start learning local langs from our villages! Also a giant 4th of July bash we are throwing will be wonderful!The week after we have site visits and trainings in the capital and then only a few more weeks until swearing in! Shout out to my dad from Africa because it's his birthday today!!!! I love you daddy, you are the best dad ever! If anyone is trying to decide what to send in packages candy is always welcome! skittles, gummie bears, chocolate melts but is still great! Until next time...!

I made it!

So I made it to Africa and I love it here! IT is sooo very different from the States, but interesting! We have made it to Leo for training and I have been adopted by a family! They have a daughter who is 3 and a boy living in Leo with them for school, he is 17. I have my own room and its soooo hot at night usually! Lots of people sleep outside, although I have to wait until I get my bug hut. So far I have survived eating the food here, its not too bad either. We eat a lot of rice, couscous and tô, a firm but squishy white substance thing. There is only 1 cyber cafe in Leo and it costs about 350 CFA to get one for an hour, so Ill try to post as much as I can but no promises! Pictures will happen eventually, on a day when the internet is good lol. If you want my phone number inbox me on Facebook and download Rebtel app, cheap way to text. I am picking french up more everyday and learning 2 other languages-Moore and Nouni- not even closely related to French!We have class everyday from 8am-5pm and then nights free to do whatever. Yesterday I painted nails with my sisters here, they loved it!!!! We also draw pictures to help me learn french words. I get called Nasaera a lot- in Moore I think it means white person, especially as I ride by children call it out. Thats all for now I guess, kinda hurried so sorry if its random!

The Countdown Continues

Well after a fun day of training and meeting the other new PCBF volunteers I find myself still in DC, great city just not what I hoped for, after my bridge (aka fake tooth) fell out last night. I have to wait to go to the office tomorrow and find out when my appointment is to put it back in. While I wait though I have a new roommate who is about to serve in west Africa as well, at least I have some pretty great company for a day! Cross your fingers and toes and hope I get to leave in a few days!

T-minus...some days and counting

Thanks for checking out my blog! I officially report for pre-departure orientation in Arlington  VA on June 1st, then off to Burkina Faso on June 3rd. What an exciting experience awaits there. I'll try and post as often as I can, however I have no idea how regularly I will have internet there. Here is little run down on what I know so far. For the first 3 months I will be living with a host family and going to class with our team of volunteers to learn the language (French) and culture. After that I get placed at a site and am there for the following 2 years. I am told I will be teaching math to large classrooms, however I may change subjects and the grade levels teaching are unknown yet. If you are wondering, yes I am VERY excited (and mayhaps a little nervous too)!