A Glimpse into my day

(Written on July 8 but not posted until July 30)

I thought I'd give you some idea of what a day is like here in my village, although that will be changing soon when I am sworn in and begin working in Vogan.

Today is Sunday and I had a really good day. I slept in until 7(!), which is about two hours longer than normal. My rooster was kind and didn't start squawking until about 7:30. I rallied and took my bucket bath cold (after 6:30 in the morning my mom seems to boycott heating the water for me). It's been downright chilly here lately (like, in the 60's), which makes for pleasant sleeping but not so pleasant for bucket bathing.

I had Quaker Oats for breakfast. What's funny about the oatmeal is that they actually call it "Quaker Oats." However, in the back woods of African, the French has morphed "Quaker Oats" into sounding like "Cacaway." Since "Caca" means "poop" in French, it took me a little while to catch on the first time my mom asked me if I wanted any! So, I ate my Cacaway and then played out in the compound with Jonas, my little brother. (See Pictures)

I have other siblings beside Jonas (6 in total), but I have a harder time playing with the older kids. Once out of the toddler stage here, kids begin to work. They are fascinated by me, but their laughter and amusement doesn't come as naturally as it does to Jonas. He's still a baby (1 1/2) and therefore doesn't yet have the gravitas that the others seem to. It's also hard, since I don't speak Ewe and the kids who haven't started school don't know French. My little 7 year old sister Patricia helped me do my laundry today. She's so much better at it than I am! I felt bad that she was helping, but all I could say was "thank you" over and over again, because that's the extent of my Ewe. Jonas, however, lights up my day. When I come home from school he runs as fast as he can to give me a hug. I've taught him "dancer" in French and then we dance. He actually knows the word now, so when I say it he starts jumping around. He's been a savior to my mood many times.

So, back to my day. I brought out my sheets to be washed and I was completely helpless. I've gotten okay at washing clothes, although all four of my knuckles on one hand bleed every time. But I was at a loss on how to do my sheets, so my mom basically did them for me. Here's how washing goes:

• Two buckets, one cleaning, one rinsing
• Place clothes in first and cover with water
• Scrub the crap out of each piece with a technique I've yet to figure out without making myself bleed.
• Empty water, refill bucket, start all over
• After second washing, repeat if desired. (The second washing is NOT optional)
• Rinse by basically washing everything, just without soap
• Empty water, rinse again
• Ring the crap out of clothes
• Slap and snap clothes and place on line
• Remove one-half hour later when it starts to pour

This is why basically nothing I own fits anymore. What I wouldn't give for a dryer. Oh, and also I've lost a good 5 pounds or so, so that doesn't help.

I've been really adventurous about food (for me, anyway) and tried foufou for the first time today. I do NOT understand the appeal. Basically, one boils the yams until soft, then you just pound it in this huge mortar and pestle until it reaches the desired gooey, gummy consistency. I ate with my hands for the first time today (not my left), but mostly 'cause there's no other way to eat it. Luckily, my mom makes an awesome peanut sauce with tofu, so I was okay. I'll keep trying to like it, but I'm not making any promises.

I hope this gives you some insight into my daily life here. Please keep your cards and letters coming. Getting mail is very exciting!