It's almost time to pull my disapearing act

Ok so this blog wasn’t the best way to communicate my learnings. Anyways, I’m going to put one more entry, maybe 2, here goes.

Socially

I’m pretty well integrated by now. I can get by with the essentials of the local language and people often speak to me in Moré. Most of the time, I don’t understand what’s going on… People on the streets call me by yelling out « Chinois », « Jet Li », « Jackie Chan », or Nassara (whitie). But, most recently, there have been people calling out « Wamikidou » (my Moré name), « Mr Ouedraogo », which pretty cool since it means that I’m not just the generic asian token anymore.

Bugs

Since the last time I wrote, I’ve seen had 2 more encounter with scorpions in my room. The first time, I squashed it with my sandal and watched with satisfaction as ants carried the carcass away. The second one got away, it might still be in my room, who knows. All I figured is that if I saw 3 scorpions in my room already, and since I only spend about 30 min in my room a day (excluding sleep), there must be tons more.

The other night, I slept outside on a foldable mattress and when I woke up, I realized it had bed bugs. Not just a few… I must’ve had hundred of bites on my back. I’ll put a picture of it on facebook. I twas so itchy, imagine having 200 mosquito bites on your back for almost a week. I’m never touching that mattress again.

Profesionnally

My department is on vacations for all of August. That means that I won’t be working on micro-finances with the Multi-functional platform project anymore. I really learned a lot from those 3 months. Working with rural communities very very complicated and it takes a lot of skill and motivation to get work done. Luckily, I have nun-chuck skills, computer hacking skills, and bo-hunting skills.

In August, I’ll be in charge of teaching around 30 people how to use Word and Excel. I’ve been really really busy lately preparing the reference documents, managing signups, making presentations, lessons, and exercices that I had to make up on my own. I even had to set up random computers in a room, find power cords, software, a projector, tables and chair, and everything. I never thought that I would have so much responsibility after just a few months at FNGN. I practically run and train the IT department of the largest NGO in Burkina. But, it’s challenging and I enjoy it… for now. I hope I don’t burnout.

Family

My family’s really great. I really feel at home. I even know most of their names and how they are related by now. Kids really like me, they think I’m an all-in-one entertainment unit. Everything I own is a toy, everything I do is awkward, and everything I say in Moré is a joke. Other than that, my little mud house is cozy and i sleep pretty well.

There’s a baby in my courtyard, Nema, that is terrified of me. When people sit her on my laps, she screams and cries. But, when her mom carries her next to me, she finds me hilarious. She turns away and laughs. Sometimes, she puts her finger on me and starts laughing like crazy. I never knew I was so funny looking.

Memerable moment

Last week was the last week of work for my department. In the afternoon, people were just chiling. At one point, people got in a pretty intense discussion about something. At the same time, there was some ganster rap playing and people were eating beef jerky. And right then, it seemed like a scene from a movie. The angry gestures, the cohesive ganster rap, and the spicy beef jerky in my mouth seemed seemed like it was all naturally resonating.

Things you’re wondering about me

I really miss sheesha.

There is no running water at my house, but there is electricity in my room.

I take bucket baths twice a day.

When at home, I eat with my hands.

I really want to see Transformers.

I’ve lost 8 to 10 pounds since May.

I get up around 6h30 everyday for work and I don’t take afternoon naps.

Latrines are much more convenient than toilets. The other day, I used my first toilet in 3 months, and I broke the flusher. So, I’m going back to the hole.

I don’t like to #2 around midnight because cockroaches like midnight snacks.

90’s pop canadian music is really popular. Think Brian Adams, Celine Dion, Sarah McGlocklan.

I do my own laundry and it’s like exercice.

I bike everywhere. My street has no lights, so at night, I don’t see anything, no.. seriously. It’s pitch dark and there are lots of cows and sheep that live on my street.

I don’t own a mirror, sometimes my asian mustache gets really asian.

My body getting used to the weather. As proof, I was cold last night because it was 24°C.

Boy, that sheesha is going to taste good, once it hits my lips.

Interesting things I noticed

Students studying at night under street lights because they have no electricity at home.

Houses crumble when there are storms.

Rain stops ALL activities.

Lizards do pushups.

Playing music at work doesn’t bother anyone.

Vultures are the equivalent of « des mouettes ».

When going to places, people measure distance, while we measure time.

There are babies everywhere.