Three Weeks At Site

I am back in Ouaga for a three day respose (rest) after surviving three weeks at site. I jokingly say survive but it does feel that way at times. I have some wonderful days and a few days and hours during the day that have been really tough. I have heard that the first two weeks at site are the most awkward, challenging weeks of one's life so I am happy to have made it through them. The last week was pretty good overall so I think I'm on an upswing. Its hard to say exactly whats been hard except for a complete feeling of being overwelmed and completly alone. I usually try to keep my blog posts positive and I don't want to come across depressing here but do think it is important to be honest about how things are going.

So, details about my new home for the next two years. The village has about 5000 people and consists of many quartiers, or neighborhoods, that are each separate from each other. Each quartier consists of several family compounds that are separated by fields as well. This is much different than my homestay village during training where the village was much more compact with fields oustide the city and family compounds right next to each other. There are several elementary schools, a middle school, a madarasa (Islamic school), and a literacy center for adults. The village is a mix of Muslims and Christians and has a mosque, Catholic church, and Protestant church.

There are several small boutiques and a marche (market) held every three days. I can find the basics at the boutiques and lots of fresh vegetables right now since its the high season but need to travel to a bigger city to do more major shopping. I can also buy fresh bread throughout the day and its even warm if I get there at the right time. I love my market and look forward to marche day! I have started to make friends with some of the vendors and many have learned my name and will greet me in Bissa. Its customary here for vendors to give cadeau, a gift, when people buy from them and this is starting to happen for me as well. The woman I buy tomatoes from always throws in an extra few and the bread man will give me an extra loaf if he is working when I stop by. The women will also pull out the best-looking eggplants or green peppers if I ask. This makes me feel more a part of the community since its what they would do for their friends and neighbors but not for a stranger or tourist.

My health center serves 11 villages with a total population around 11,000 people. This is huge for a local health center and the four nurses that work at it are extremely busy to keep up with the health needs of the community. Fortunately the health area is being broken into two with the opening of a new health center several kilometers away. It hasn't opened yet but should be serving the people in the next week or two. We will then be down to 7 villages and hopefully the staff will have more time to work with me and to just not be so busy!

My house is small but comfortable especially as I am slowly getting it decorated. I have posted pictures on Picasso so take a look! The link is to the right. It is two rooms and has a small cement patio and sandy covered hanger with a outdoor shower area. There is a wall around the patio which is great for privacy though it is low enough that people can see over. My latrine is out in the compound so I do have to leave the privacy of my house to do my business! I still want to get some more furniture for my house and hang pictures, posters, and cards on the wall to add some color. I will try to post more picture once I do more decorating. I thought many might be interested to see where I am living now though.

I have a stovetop with gas tank and love being able to cook for myself. I can get simple ingredients at the boutique and lots of fresh vegetables so am trying to be adventurous with my cooking. I also really appreciate spices I have received in care packages and just bought some goodies like olive oil, Laughing Cow cheese (doesn't need to be refridgerated so just about my only option), raisins, and oatmeal at the big grocery store here in Ouaga. I can't even begin to explain the pleasure that food and preparing meals has been bringing me. I had some difficulties adjusting to the food my host family served me and am so much happier to make simple choices like what and when I am going to eat. I have also been feeling a lot healthier that I can cook with less oil and more vegetables! I am making up for that by eating lots of candy I received in Christmas packages!

I came into Ouaga to watch the inauguration and really enjoyed watching the American coverage with newscasters from home while sitting at the American Embassy rec center. I am so excited for our nation and can't wait to see what changes are coming. Many people here will shout Obama to us as we are walking down the street and love to see how exciting we get in response. Many of my fellow trainees are also here so we have been able to share stories about our first few weeks, speak English again, and just relax and de-stress a bit. Plus I can get online hence this blogpost. I also have been enjoying lots of good food while in the big city. I've had grilled cheese, fries, Chinese, pizza, omelettes, cold cokes, ice cream, Reese Peanut Butter Cups, and overall yumminess!

I am super excited to have just picked up lots of mail and several packages after not having access to my mail since before Christmas. Thanks so much to everyone that has sent cards, letters, and especially to my parents, Beth, Mary B., Kim & Jim, Suzy, Judy, Maren, and Allison for sending packages! I haven't opened anything I just picked up since its much more exciting when I am alone in my house instead of in Ouaga with Americans and groceries stores and tons of stimulation! I am going to continue getting mail to Ouaga and plan to pick it up at least once a month but might have opportunities more frequently for others to bring it to me.