1. Animals - they are everywhere. We see cows, goat, sheeps, donkeys, chickens, even dogs and cats just roaming around where ever. I walked out my door to get eggs and there was a group of cows eating out of the trash. I walked by them and I had to stop, because they were ready to cross the street. It was very interesting right before Tabaski - it was crazy how many sheep were around; it was quite humorous to see them strapped to the tops of vehicles.
2. Dirt - I am not a neat freak (be quiet Amie), but I had to get adjusted to living with a new level of dirt everyday. It is not like dust - it is dirt. A fine layer of red, clay colored dirt. It is everywhere. We are in the season of the Harmatan winds now and the dust is especially plentiful. It is in drawers, closets, on everything that is still. Our feet have a orangy tinge to the bottom.
3. Cooking/food - this is a big one! For example - buying eggs. In the states, you go and pick up a pretty container and you have eggs. Here you buy them fresh - covered with poo and dirt. We have to wash the eggs and test them to see if they float. If they float they are bad - you throw them away. Another big thing was bugs in the food - I have to sift the flour, wash the rice, pick through the sugar to get the critters out. We have to bleach everything. I am not a planner so feeding my family has been a little challenging at times!
4. Water or lack thereof - the city cuts off our water whenever they feel like it. So we have to be mindful when we are doing our dishes, preparing for baths. We have had many nights with us taking a bucket bath. It is important that we always are prepared - like boy scouts! - with making sure we have filtered water. We have to boil water to do dishes, we have no hot water in the kitchen. The soap doesn't rinse well with just cold.
5. Being laughed at - on a daily basis we are the brunt of many jokes. The Africans love to laugh and it has been fun when we speak and they fall out in hysterics at our attempt to communicate. When we came here, we were given a last name of Coulibaly - that is the biggest area that they crack up. Coulibaly here is the name of dogs, donkeys, thieves, and any other undesirable thing. Everyone loves making fun of our name - there are comebacks for it, but we can't say any - we don't know them yet!
We will post the other 5 shortly - we have a full week of French - we meet with the tutor everyday.
7 comments:
okay. they may not be complaints to ya'll, but they sure would be me. again, that's why you're the overseas missionaries and I am NOT. sigh. (course now i'll prolly get sent.) oh bother.
just a thot...Is it too late to change your last name to a more, uh...flattering one? just curious.
Being laughed at??? Seriously? How did that make a list of DIFFERENT things?
We've been laughing at you for years. I would think you owe us for preparing you for this part of your service. Check made payable to Amie Sexton will be fine.
I am with Lisa. I couldn't do it either. And,now Lisa and I will probably get sent together. Hmmm. hold on a minute I am getting a mental picture. No, never mind that would never work.
Anyway, I would have broke down and cried all the way home.
Here's a big, thinking of ya, praying for ya, loving ya bunches, HUG! ~~~Kristi
Hi guys:
When we moved to Montreal, we thought many things were different, but this is insane.
We miss you and wish you all the many joys of what you are doing.
We will be with Chuch, Vanra and Grammy on the 27th through the 31st.
Our Love to you all,
Uncle Fred and Aunt Pat
will write later,
Uncle Fred
Lisa - we will pick a new last name when we get to Senegal - a Senegalese name. We will definitely do some research this time! Thanks for taking the time to read our blog!
Uncle Fred -
Thanks for checking the blog - I will try to Skype when you guys are at Dad and Vanra's! I think Dad has gotten a web cam! Say hi to Aunt Pat for me! Big hugs!
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