I hardly survived that trip up the mountain. What was supposed to be a three-hour bike ride, turned out to be a 5 hour miserable, near-death nightmare!! Coming back from France, I was not in a very good state of mind. Having been through the evacuation, gone through change after change, I really felt letdown that I was robbed a solid second year of service and instead was given another first, rebuilding year. Needless to say, I almost called it quits.
With this sort of mind state, I left Kedougou at 3pm, the heat of the day, in order to get to my site before dark. Didn't happen. About a quarter into the ride, I got sick...really sick. The diarhea and vomiting on the side of the road was more than I could bear. I was lying on the side of the road in hysterics when he appeared; the saint of all things holy. This wonderful man, pulled up next to me and asked me what was wrong. He immediately saw the state I was in, unstrapped my baggage from my bike and re-strapped on his already overloaded bike. Without knowing who I was, he escorted me down the road. We hit the bottom of my mountain at dark, so I slept on the floor of this family's hut without a mosquito net and mice frolicking around. The next morning at 6am and began the venture up. After two mental breakdowns, I suffered from lack of water and what I believe would be heat stroke, however, I made it...barely.
I've come to a realization about that trek. I hate it....it stresses me out, causing unneccesary anxiety. I enjoy mountain biking as much as the other guy, but this; no, this is not "biking." A strainful variety of manual labor, hording me and my bike over boulder after boulder. To hell with it. Like my friend Mamba has told me on numerous occasions, "Tu as la chance." I have the luck. Because my site is considered the prefecture (like Darlington County, Charleston County, etc.) there are cars from Kedougou who come on a regular basis. Alors, this is my choice of transportation from now on.
All is well at site. Actually, I' m quite enjoying myself. I went out into the bush with my brother and cut down bambo and made a chair for my hut. It was so much fun, and the chair sits quite comfortably. My "inga" (mother) is my biggest fan. She cheers everytime I arrive in the family compound for dinner. The doctor at my health post is my new best friend. He speaks a little English and we work, eat and have tea together everyday. I seem to be collecting my share of men in the village, as they are the educated ones, in which I can actually have conversations about things other than the cost of a goat or the amount of peanut butter to put into the sauce for dinner. Tea time is a glorious time where I sit with the doctor and the teachers at the school to "chew the fat." My village is wonderful in the fact that I experience village life, but at the same time can watch movies on the school laptops with my newfound friends in the evening. It's the best of both worlds.
Everything hasn't always been blissful. A few weeks ago, my neighbor and I had a tiff when she decided on our occasion of studying Pulaar to teach me insults instead of what I thought to be general salutations. Also, she made me highly uncomfortable one evening when I was trying to pull water from the well and she began this riskee display of public affection with her boyfriend, whom my younger sister told me is covered with all sorts of maladies below the belt. Over the fence, I told her I was highly insulted and to never talk to me again. After a few days, I decided to forgive her. She's known for being somewhat of a bully, but I don't like having enemies, especially those that live two steps from my hut. Since then, she hasn't pulled any tricks, so for the moment, ca va.
Also, I tried to launch a project in the community. The well located near my family's house is in horrible condition. There is stagnant water surrounded the uncovered makeshift well used as a place of trash and even bowel disposal. I spoke to the woman with whom the well belonged to about working together to finance a beautification project for the well. Being the president of the women's group in the community, I expected her to be highly regarded and easy to trust. I was wrong to assume. My father, who serves as a watchdog, told me not to give that woman a dime or she will "eat all of the money." Therefore, the project collapsed before it began. The community didn't really seem eager to work together, so I cashed in. Like that mountain climb, to hell with it. If you don't want to help yourself, then I won't work to give you something you won't.
So, I've focused all of my time on just living, hanging out, drinking tea. I know, I'm a bum, but what else am I supposed to do. Working is difficutl. I don't want to just give them something. I want to work together to build something together, be it a well or a change in behavior. We'll pause for now, and see where I am in two months.
I ventured out into a small village outside of my village a few days ago. They have dangerous water problems. The wells have dried up and the only source of drinking water is the dirty water coming from the river. I really like this village. The principal at the school told me he would greatly appreciate someone to come to the primary school and teach lessons on hygiene and family planning (some of the 13 year old girls are already married). So, I'm organizing some material and planning on painting some murals. I'm happy to go where I'm wanted. The children all speak Sussu and are so sweet. Most have some malnourish issues and are quite dirty due to the fact that there is little water, so I'm hoping this my be a great thing. I hope I'm not setting myself up for yet another failure.
Two weeks ago, we had the West African Invitational Softball Tournament in Dakar. Ex patriots from all over West Africa (including some of my friends from Guinea) came. It was absolutely fantastic. I felt like I was in college again....ha! Too much fun was had by all.
So that' s all for now, I suppose. Still kickin' it even in this heat. The hot season has arrived and it's so difficult to do anything, including sleep. Luckily, there is a nice dry breeze on the mountain.
I suppose, it's all about embracing our mountains, those challenges that life gives us; be it a boulder to haul over, a corrupt work partner or just your typical annoying neighbor. One can allow to be defeated, or simply embrace it and figure out what works.
Gosh, it sounds a lot easier said than done for sure.
Until next time,
CIAO!!
