So, I am now in Guinea. Let me start this by saying that I have no pics yet. I didn't take into account that my camera cannot transfer pics directly. I need to find a way to get the SD card into one of these computers. Till then, check out the other blogs I have suggested to the right to see if any of then have pics up.
Ok, so I got here after a quick stop in Philly where we did our staging. I officially turned into a Peace Corps Trainee (PCT) on that day. We then went over some logistics and met all of our fellow PCTs (remember what that means from above?). That night we all got to hang out and really get to know each other a lot better. I was happy to see that everyone was pretty open and really put themselves out there. I cannot think of one of them that I don't like (even now) on any level.
The next morning we got up and got our first Malaria Medicine and a vaccination for Yellow fever. I am happy to report that, so far, even though I am taking the malaria pill that is supposed to cause bad dreams, I have not had any problems. We then got in a bus to the JFK airport, and apparently had to find our way from there to Conakry without any PC (Peace Corps) staff.
Turns out we all really are adults and did fine. We flew from JFK to Dakar, Senegal, where we had to go thruogh customs again and re-check our bags. This was a little rough because we thought we checked them till Conakry, Guinea, and wouldn't have to do that. It got hectic for a hot second there, but we all worked together pretty well and pulled though.
We then wend on a filight into Guinea. Landing in the morning was incredible. We had to walk into the airport from the airplane, and immediately saw current PCVs (Peace Corps Volunteers (people that went through training and officially were accepted)), some staff and the Country Dirctor (my Boss). Everyone was so nice and understanding that we were so tired. I could just feel their energy. They helped us get our bags and took us in the PC bus and Land Rovers to the Peace Corps Headquarters and, right next to it, the Transit office (where we sleep). the place is pretty well gaurded and has some barbed wire on it. I also noticed that they checked the bottom of our car with mirrors for, I think, bombs. That was a little nerve racking, but getting to know the place a little more, I felt much better about it. Peace Corps is all about taking every procaution to keep us safe, even if it seems a little excessive. Also, the gaurds are the same ones for the Embassy here, and so I think they just use the same procedure.
We got to rest a bit and pick our rooms, which we share with 7 others. we then played some catch with my football on the beach which was a 2 min walk from the building. On the way back from that we saw 5 baby puppies (pics will be up as soon as I can figure this out) next to a tree stump! they were SOOO cute, and we were briefly considering taking them. Sediki (one of the current PCVs (his name is actually Adam, but this is his given name)) helped us talk to the locals, who thought it was hilarious that were were swooning over the puppies. They were also going to give them to us as a gift.
one of the things that I have learned is that, although, to almost every count, that Gunea is a suffering country with corruption and the lack of resources, and with each family making a GDP of only 600 dollars a year, that they are incredibly friendly and generous. Also, they LOVE us Americans who are here as PCVs.
So, after football we had our orientation and met some staff. We then went to the Beach Bar and hung out for a good part of the rest of the night with current PCVs and some of us PCTs. I then came back to my room to find my roomates spilling all about their lives! It was hilarious! we just met each other 3 days before, and we were already letting it all out. I loved it and joined in. The stories are in confidence, but I can tell you that they were rediculously jucy. We did the same thing the next night with more people, and again it was great.
I can now say that I know most every PCT very well, and that I got to know the current PCVs really well too. The PCVs are incredible recsources and just amazing people. They are going to help train us for the 2 months of training ahead.
Oh! food! So far the food is great! I havent gotten sick at all, and it tastes wonderful. The only problem is that right now they are slowly easing us in. The real food won't be like this. It will be much harder to get used to. I learned from the PCVs that Guinea really is the crazy challenge that I think it might be, and that we will be challenged in way many other PCVs in different counrties are not. But living in a place like this maximizes the chance of making a real difference. I also truly believe that it can be good for the soul if done with the right perspective.
hmmm, what else.... we started with our first day of language training. I am not looking forward to the rest! It seems like it will be tough, but I was reassured by the PCVs that some did not know any French before and now they speak really well.
The language here is difficult. Some, mostly in citys speak French, so we will all be learning that. unfortunately, in most of the areas that we will be living they will speak a different language. there a quite a few different kinds. As soon as a site is chosen for us, we will do some basics for survival, and PC will expect us to do most of the work on our own. Until then, it is French classes for the next 2 months.
Today, a Muslim holiday, we had off because no one was coming to work. We all had a day of rest before we take off tomorrow to Forrecariah. the PCVs took us to our first market experience. At first you see all of the markets on the side of the street, but then we went into these tiny alleys where it was filled with other stores. We bought a few things and listened to the PCV, Jess, haggle a bit with the vendors to lower the price. I think they give much more respect when you can pull out a few lines in Sousu, one of the country languages. When we got back, the country director invited us over and let us use his pool. It and his house were beautiful. While sitting in the pool, all I could think was, better enjoy it while it lasts :-P. I actually can't wait to dive into the actual culture of this place. The people are different then most other places I have been. Even the people on the streets asking for money will give you a big smile even though you didn't give them on me. Actually, last night a child was running alongside the bus, and I was worried he was going to get hurt. I looked at him and gave him a concerned face and said Attentiones! (Which means pay attention)
After swiming, we ate a dinner cooked for us by the PCVs. It was great! We thenn took off to the beach bar to finally witness the gorgeous sunset. After we got there, I realized that I didn't bring a football to toss around, so me and Julieanne tried to make it back to the pace corps headquarters. After a little getting lost and walking around we finally found it and went back with the football. Some of us started playing and the Guinean kids got really excited. we ended up spending the next 2.5 hours tossing the ball around with a hoard of Guinean children on a gorgeous night at the beach watching the sunset. To make the scene even better, there was a life band playing some reggae music, and closer to the bar, the remaaining Peace Corps members were dancing with the locals. it was an absolutely amazing final night in Conakry.
Ok, so I got here after a quick stop in Philly where we did our staging. I officially turned into a Peace Corps Trainee (PCT) on that day. We then went over some logistics and met all of our fellow PCTs (remember what that means from above?). That night we all got to hang out and really get to know each other a lot better. I was happy to see that everyone was pretty open and really put themselves out there. I cannot think of one of them that I don't like (even now) on any level.
The next morning we got up and got our first Malaria Medicine and a vaccination for Yellow fever. I am happy to report that, so far, even though I am taking the malaria pill that is supposed to cause bad dreams, I have not had any problems. We then got in a bus to the JFK airport, and apparently had to find our way from there to Conakry without any PC (Peace Corps) staff.
Turns out we all really are adults and did fine. We flew from JFK to Dakar, Senegal, where we had to go thruogh customs again and re-check our bags. This was a little rough because we thought we checked them till Conakry, Guinea, and wouldn't have to do that. It got hectic for a hot second there, but we all worked together pretty well and pulled though.
We then wend on a filight into Guinea. Landing in the morning was incredible. We had to walk into the airport from the airplane, and immediately saw current PCVs (Peace Corps Volunteers (people that went through training and officially were accepted)), some staff and the Country Dirctor (my Boss). Everyone was so nice and understanding that we were so tired. I could just feel their energy. They helped us get our bags and took us in the PC bus and Land Rovers to the Peace Corps Headquarters and, right next to it, the Transit office (where we sleep). the place is pretty well gaurded and has some barbed wire on it. I also noticed that they checked the bottom of our car with mirrors for, I think, bombs. That was a little nerve racking, but getting to know the place a little more, I felt much better about it. Peace Corps is all about taking every procaution to keep us safe, even if it seems a little excessive. Also, the gaurds are the same ones for the Embassy here, and so I think they just use the same procedure.
We got to rest a bit and pick our rooms, which we share with 7 others. we then played some catch with my football on the beach which was a 2 min walk from the building. On the way back from that we saw 5 baby puppies (pics will be up as soon as I can figure this out) next to a tree stump! they were SOOO cute, and we were briefly considering taking them. Sediki (one of the current PCVs (his name is actually Adam, but this is his given name)) helped us talk to the locals, who thought it was hilarious that were were swooning over the puppies. They were also going to give them to us as a gift.
one of the things that I have learned is that, although, to almost every count, that Gunea is a suffering country with corruption and the lack of resources, and with each family making a GDP of only 600 dollars a year, that they are incredibly friendly and generous. Also, they LOVE us Americans who are here as PCVs.
So, after football we had our orientation and met some staff. We then went to the Beach Bar and hung out for a good part of the rest of the night with current PCVs and some of us PCTs. I then came back to my room to find my roomates spilling all about their lives! It was hilarious! we just met each other 3 days before, and we were already letting it all out. I loved it and joined in. The stories are in confidence, but I can tell you that they were rediculously jucy. We did the same thing the next night with more people, and again it was great.
I can now say that I know most every PCT very well, and that I got to know the current PCVs really well too. The PCVs are incredible recsources and just amazing people. They are going to help train us for the 2 months of training ahead.
Oh! food! So far the food is great! I havent gotten sick at all, and it tastes wonderful. The only problem is that right now they are slowly easing us in. The real food won't be like this. It will be much harder to get used to. I learned from the PCVs that Guinea really is the crazy challenge that I think it might be, and that we will be challenged in way many other PCVs in different counrties are not. But living in a place like this maximizes the chance of making a real difference. I also truly believe that it can be good for the soul if done with the right perspective.
hmmm, what else.... we started with our first day of language training. I am not looking forward to the rest! It seems like it will be tough, but I was reassured by the PCVs that some did not know any French before and now they speak really well.
The language here is difficult. Some, mostly in citys speak French, so we will all be learning that. unfortunately, in most of the areas that we will be living they will speak a different language. there a quite a few different kinds. As soon as a site is chosen for us, we will do some basics for survival, and PC will expect us to do most of the work on our own. Until then, it is French classes for the next 2 months.
Today, a Muslim holiday, we had off because no one was coming to work. We all had a day of rest before we take off tomorrow to Forrecariah. the PCVs took us to our first market experience. At first you see all of the markets on the side of the street, but then we went into these tiny alleys where it was filled with other stores. We bought a few things and listened to the PCV, Jess, haggle a bit with the vendors to lower the price. I think they give much more respect when you can pull out a few lines in Sousu, one of the country languages. When we got back, the country director invited us over and let us use his pool. It and his house were beautiful. While sitting in the pool, all I could think was, better enjoy it while it lasts :-P. I actually can't wait to dive into the actual culture of this place. The people are different then most other places I have been. Even the people on the streets asking for money will give you a big smile even though you didn't give them on me. Actually, last night a child was running alongside the bus, and I was worried he was going to get hurt. I looked at him and gave him a concerned face and said Attentiones! (Which means pay attention)
After swiming, we ate a dinner cooked for us by the PCVs. It was great! We thenn took off to the beach bar to finally witness the gorgeous sunset. After we got there, I realized that I didn't bring a football to toss around, so me and Julieanne tried to make it back to the pace corps headquarters. After a little getting lost and walking around we finally found it and went back with the football. Some of us started playing and the Guinean kids got really excited. we ended up spending the next 2.5 hours tossing the ball around with a hoard of Guinean children on a gorgeous night at the beach watching the sunset. To make the scene even better, there was a life band playing some reggae music, and closer to the bar, the remaaining Peace Corps members were dancing with the locals. it was an absolutely amazing final night in Conakry.
Next stop is a town called Forecariah (not sure of the spelling, but it is really close to Sierra Leon). We will be having our training there starting tuesday. Durring this we will be staying with our adoptive parents. They will be our first unfiltered glance at Guinean life, and the lifestyle we will have to accomodate. This means pit latrines as bathrooms, no electricity, and pump water that needs filtering for drinking. I am so excited. The tough part is that it will be hard to communicate much of anything, at least right off the bat. I am goiing to try to go in with the attitude that It will be exciting and fun! I remember many days in India where I would basically have to play a bit of cherades to be able to communicate, and hopefully that will help. we were also reassured that the familys expect this and have mostly all had former volunteers lving with them before.
During the language and cultural classes we will get assignnments of things t ask our families. We will then have to report back with their answers. also, we will have to ask them to help us cook and show us how to do laundry. Also, all of the families will have children and probably teenagers who I will be spending most of my time with playing and muddling though with the language. They will also hopefully take us out to the markets.
Ok, I will leave it at that for now i have no idea when the next time I will be at a computer is, but I will post again as soon as I can. happy reading and please don't forget to e-mail me and let me know what you are up to.
3 comments:
I miss you! I hope it goes well
hey Sajay!!
I saw Manoj and your Dad when I came up to Rochester for a second...I'm glad to hear you that a) you arrived safely and b) you love puppies. I'm going to read all your posts while lounging on my couch in my robe and feeling full of self-loathing at my laziness; just like a good American.
Excellent sajay!!! I wish you all the best :-)
Arthi Chawla
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