Saturday, September 24, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
So maybe I can just post here when I post to the other blog and then you can go there. Make sense? Go here: Marallister
Saturday, September 3, 2011
One last thing....
Apparently Tumblr doesn't have the ability to let you be notified by email when I update the blog. So if you would like to be updated by email when I write something exciting, email your email address and I'll send out an email each time I update the Tumblr. But honestly, this new blog is going to be so darn exciting you'll be checking it everyday with sheer anticipation of what I'll be writing next! Or you could just send me your email address.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Adios!
I've decided to breakup with Blogspot. Its not it, its me. So the new blog, with a promise of more photos (!!!!) can be found at http://marieschuster.tumblr.com/
See y'all there!
See y'all there!
Lunch is BACK!!!
Alhamdulillah, Ramadan is over! Today is the last of the three day party celebrating the end of it. This means no more hungry, dehydrated, annoyed Muslims and the best part.... the sandwich ladies are back out selling their delicious treats! All is right in my world!
I'm pretty sure my family is going to disown me because I missed the entire celebration. I came to Tamba on Sunday to get a few things for them and ended up getting pretty sick. By time I was better all transportation had stopped for the holiday. I didn't even think about the probability of transport stopping. Oops. Tomorrow is the first day that the car will be running back to my village so I'm going back then. I've talked to my family, they don't seem upset about it but I still feel bad. Other volunteers I've talked to who were in their village for the celebration said that it wasn't all that great. Oh well, its over and now I finally get this data collection stuff finished.
More exciting things- us Tambanites are doing a tourney starting on the 9th. I think there are 6 of us going around to each of our villages and a few others teaching the villagers the facts about diarrhea. Yeah, diarrhea! What everyone loves to talk about! It will be fun though. We will put together skits with props, the whole nine! I think its scheduled to last 5 days. We're biking half of it and have our security guy driving us to the super remote places. I'll take pictures to post for you guys.
And still more exciting news- Kelly has booked her ticket to come visit!!!! I can't even explain how excited I am for her to get here. She'll be here for the week of Thanksgiving. I can't wait to show her this place and this crazy life I'm leading. AND to make her poop in a hole! I got bored in village last week and wrote out everything we'll do. I even wrote out how much she should have to spend. Get this, food, drinks, transportation in country, everything will be less than $100 USD for the entire week. Its so inexpensive here! I can't wait to see her. I have a lot going on between now and then so I'm sure she'll be here before I know it.
Rant- so one of the things I came to pick up for my family was this special tape they use to make henna designs on their feet for events. They told me the tape will cost 100 CFA at the market. That's about 20 cents USD. Super cheap. So I go to the market, find the tape and the vendor tells me it is 300 CFA. This is normal for them to up the price at least 3 times what it should be. I'm white and rich, right?? So I'm trying to negotiate with her and it becomes this process in which neighboring vendors are getting involved insisting that it cost 300 CFA. I'm explaining over and over that I'm not a tourist, I live here, I know how much this cost and that its for my family who gave me 100 CFA for it and not only do they also live here, they are Senegalese! They won't let up. Jesus, we're arguing over 40 cents! But its the principle of the fact! But its still 40 cents and at this point I would pay an entire dollar to not be standing in the hot sun in front of these jackasses arguing over 40 cents. But, ahhhh, the principle! And to give in would be conditioning them to overcharge everyone they consider a tourist. Or anyone who's white. Oh the anguish! I finally shoved 200 CFA in the lady's hand and walk off. Still, I paid double what it costs. Allow me to be careful in saying that this is the only downside to being white in this country, but definitely an annoying downside nonetheless.
Saw a really, really good movie the other day. The Help. You should check it out. It lit that same fire that A Time to Kill did. It made me really appreciate the fact that I didn't live through that time period and inevitably loathing my neighbors. It also was inspirational since I'm doing development work. Reminded me that things can change. I'm going to start the book when I get back to village. I've heard its better, as they usually are. I saw the Losers too. Hilarious!!
Ok that's all I have for now. I'm going to go enjoy dinner... sushi with a nice caesar salad. Oh wait, that's not what's for dinner. Hope everyone is well. xoxo
I'm pretty sure my family is going to disown me because I missed the entire celebration. I came to Tamba on Sunday to get a few things for them and ended up getting pretty sick. By time I was better all transportation had stopped for the holiday. I didn't even think about the probability of transport stopping. Oops. Tomorrow is the first day that the car will be running back to my village so I'm going back then. I've talked to my family, they don't seem upset about it but I still feel bad. Other volunteers I've talked to who were in their village for the celebration said that it wasn't all that great. Oh well, its over and now I finally get this data collection stuff finished.
More exciting things- us Tambanites are doing a tourney starting on the 9th. I think there are 6 of us going around to each of our villages and a few others teaching the villagers the facts about diarrhea. Yeah, diarrhea! What everyone loves to talk about! It will be fun though. We will put together skits with props, the whole nine! I think its scheduled to last 5 days. We're biking half of it and have our security guy driving us to the super remote places. I'll take pictures to post for you guys.
And still more exciting news- Kelly has booked her ticket to come visit!!!! I can't even explain how excited I am for her to get here. She'll be here for the week of Thanksgiving. I can't wait to show her this place and this crazy life I'm leading. AND to make her poop in a hole! I got bored in village last week and wrote out everything we'll do. I even wrote out how much she should have to spend. Get this, food, drinks, transportation in country, everything will be less than $100 USD for the entire week. Its so inexpensive here! I can't wait to see her. I have a lot going on between now and then so I'm sure she'll be here before I know it.
Rant- so one of the things I came to pick up for my family was this special tape they use to make henna designs on their feet for events. They told me the tape will cost 100 CFA at the market. That's about 20 cents USD. Super cheap. So I go to the market, find the tape and the vendor tells me it is 300 CFA. This is normal for them to up the price at least 3 times what it should be. I'm white and rich, right?? So I'm trying to negotiate with her and it becomes this process in which neighboring vendors are getting involved insisting that it cost 300 CFA. I'm explaining over and over that I'm not a tourist, I live here, I know how much this cost and that its for my family who gave me 100 CFA for it and not only do they also live here, they are Senegalese! They won't let up. Jesus, we're arguing over 40 cents! But its the principle of the fact! But its still 40 cents and at this point I would pay an entire dollar to not be standing in the hot sun in front of these jackasses arguing over 40 cents. But, ahhhh, the principle! And to give in would be conditioning them to overcharge everyone they consider a tourist. Or anyone who's white. Oh the anguish! I finally shoved 200 CFA in the lady's hand and walk off. Still, I paid double what it costs. Allow me to be careful in saying that this is the only downside to being white in this country, but definitely an annoying downside nonetheless.
Saw a really, really good movie the other day. The Help. You should check it out. It lit that same fire that A Time to Kill did. It made me really appreciate the fact that I didn't live through that time period and inevitably loathing my neighbors. It also was inspirational since I'm doing development work. Reminded me that things can change. I'm going to start the book when I get back to village. I've heard its better, as they usually are. I saw the Losers too. Hilarious!!
Ok that's all I have for now. I'm going to go enjoy dinner... sushi with a nice caesar salad. Oh wait, that's not what's for dinner. Hope everyone is well. xoxo
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