I just got internet set up at home. I have been writing these posts and waiting for the internet. It takes forever to upload things from home, so I'm just putting it all together!
Getting adjusted to not having internet access
Having moved from Praia, where I had free internet access in two different places, I am having a hard time adjusting to having to pay for internet use. As a result, I am rarely using the internet in an effort to save some money.
Luckily, Elizabeth and I have decided to get dial-up internet at home. Though this will mean that I am paying about $20 a month for the service and use, I will have more regular access to email and to blogging. Okay, now, I’m up and on the internet!!! YEAH.
Calhau
On Saturday afternoon at about 4, I was invited to head down to a beach that is about a 20 minute drive across the island from the city of Mindelo. The little farming town of Calhau is really not much more than some rustic housing and more greenery than I have seen anywhere else on this island. Oh, to clarify, the island that I used to live on was the biggest of the 9 tiny islands. Now I am living on one of the smallest, hence the crossing the island in 20 minutes.
At any rate, we got to Calhau (myself and two other volunteers as well as an Austrian woman who is volunteering here and her Capeverdean boyfriend). We got off the bus and started the 20 minute walk toward a remote beach. As soon as we got near the beach, I could see the waves! They were awesome. Really, the biggest waves I’ve seen in Cape Verde. Nice for surfing. And, luckily, Joseph, the Capeverdean guy happened to have a surfboard. So, I got to try surfing for the first time in my life. What a tough sport. The waves were so big that I could do nothing more than just paddle out and turn around and ride them all the way back to the shore. It was AMAZING. So much fun. I have a nice war wound on my hip from a wipeout, but it was worth it. We also got to see the sun set in the surrounding mountains, which was gorgeous. I can’t wait to get out to Calhau again. I was invited to go again the next day, but it was Elizabeth’s birthday party, so I stayed home! But, I’m in on the next day trip.
Elizabeth’s birthday
On Sunday, September 24th, we celebrated Elizabeth’s (my roommate) 64th birthday. In Cape Verde, as I have mentioned before, you are responsible for throwing your own birthday party. For this particular festa, Elizabeth, who grew up in Brasil, made Feijoada. This is a dish made of black beans and all different meats. She served it over rice and we had collard greens with garlic as well as some fried green bananas! It was an excellent meal. And luck for me, we have plenty left for many meals to come. I love rice and beans, so this is right up my alley. I have lucked out to have a roommate who really likes to cook and likes to eat what I cook. Things are going really well with Elizabeth. She has so many interesting life experiences and things to share. I am constantly learning so much and I really appreciate that.
I HAVE A MAID
That’s right, I’m living the good life… finally. I have a maid who comes to clean our house twice a week and washes my clothes (which I absolutely hate doing). I have never had it so good. This morning, Leisha came to the house, she stayed for 4 hours and cleaned immaculately. Everything is beautiful and my clothes are all clean and I didn’t have to do the scrubbing!
The best part about it is that we only pay her about $30 a month (meaning I only pay $15) for her to come twice a week every week. That’s a good deal in any country. That fits perfectly into our budget and makes life so much easier. In Cape Verde, it’s difficult to keep up with all the dust and dirt that is constantly entering the house! I must say that Mindelo is a heck of a lot cleaner than Praia. Not as much dust and hardly any mosquitoes or bugs. It’s much, much nicer.
Also, I have been running on the beach in the evenings, which is just lovely. I promise that as soon as we have internet, I’ll get some photos posted to the blog! Until then, hold tight!
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
got em
I got my bags! Of course, I've been so busy I still haven't unpacked everything but that will be today's project.
Oh! I live in the apartment above one of Cape Verde's most famous composers, Manuel D. Novas. He is super famous. It's pretty fortunate too because when anyone wants to know where I live, I can just tell them that I live above Manuel D. Novas and everyone just knows. It's excellent. I have only seen this famous man once, apparently he has been ill. He looked pretty good the day I saw him though.
Well, I'm off to buy a fan. Though it is not as hot here as in Praia, it's still pretty warm at night. I hate having to buy things again that I once bought in Praia and couldn't bring with me. So, in a way, I'm starting all over again.
Oh! I live in the apartment above one of Cape Verde's most famous composers, Manuel D. Novas. He is super famous. It's pretty fortunate too because when anyone wants to know where I live, I can just tell them that I live above Manuel D. Novas and everyone just knows. It's excellent. I have only seen this famous man once, apparently he has been ill. He looked pretty good the day I saw him though.
Well, I'm off to buy a fan. Though it is not as hot here as in Praia, it's still pretty warm at night. I hate having to buy things again that I once bought in Praia and couldn't bring with me. So, in a way, I'm starting all over again.
Monday, September 18, 2006
new address
for all of you who really wanted to send me things when I lived in Praia, but just never got around to it..... you have a chance to remeed yourselves.
My new address is:
Casey Maugh
ISE - Departamento de Ingles
C.P. 299 - Mindelo
Sao Vicente
Republic of Cape Verde
(Air Mail - Por Avion - Route through Boston and Portugal)
I am expecting packages and letters now that I am in my second year!
My new address is:
Casey Maugh
ISE - Departamento de Ingles
C.P. 299 - Mindelo
Sao Vicente
Republic of Cape Verde
(Air Mail - Por Avion - Route through Boston and Portugal)
I am expecting packages and letters now that I am in my second year!
still no bags
I got a phone call yesterday morning telling me that my 3 bags had been located and would be delivered that afternoon.
Well, it's Monday and still no bags. I stayed home all day yesterday patiently waiting for my baggage, and still nothing. I am hoping I can figure out what is going on today and get the bags. I refuse to go to the airport to get them. It would cost me about $15 to get there and back! I'll keep you posted on bag-watch 2006
Well, it's Monday and still no bags. I stayed home all day yesterday patiently waiting for my baggage, and still nothing. I am hoping I can figure out what is going on today and get the bags. I refuse to go to the airport to get them. It would cost me about $15 to get there and back! I'll keep you posted on bag-watch 2006
The long, winding road
The long and winding road
It’s been a long road to get here to Mindelo, but I’ve made it. I am finally in my new city. But before I take you through the move, I need to update you on Max.
The day before I left my old island, it was pouring down rain! I absolutely had to get Max to Sao Domingos to live with a family there. As I mentioned in a previous post, Max was on to me last time, so he was a no-show when I went to pick him up. This time, I preempted being fooled by feeding Max and keeping him out of the rain for the morning. Then I got him all excited about going in a car. I rented a Taxi instead of trying to get him on a public Hiace with 20 other people. We had our own private ride up to the countryside, through the mud and the muck! We finally arrived near our destination and because of the torrential downpour, the taxi couldn’t get us exactly to where we were headed, naturally. So, we were dropped off on a road above the neighborhood and had to hike down the side of a hill to another road and then walk a ways, but we made it. I only lost my flip flop in the mud 2 times and managed to get there with only about half of my body splattered with mud. Max greeted his new owners, a bunch of kids were at the house and he showed his teeth a few times to tell them when they were getting “too friendly” with him. Other than that, he was a perfect gentleman. He seemed to be happy. I had to leave quickly to visit my own homestay family before the big move, so I tricked him into staying in the house and ran quickly back up the ravine to the road. I prayed the whole way that Max would not cleverly figure out the way back to Praia and show up at my doorstep! He certainly didn’t make his way to Mindelo, so I seem to be in the clear!
So, I am now in Mindelo and feeling both happy and uneasy. I have been very sick for the past week, which means that I have eaten nothing but a little bread at a time, which immediately makes me hit the head. I must have gotten a really, really nasty bug in my system because on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I felt as if I had been hit by a Mac truck. I felt like I had the flu with the worse case of diarrhea a person could have (oh, sorry, that is a very generally acceptable thing to say among volunteers and Cape Verdeans because it is SOOO common here, but I know in the states we are a little grossed out when talking about bodily functions). I have yet to recover from the diarrhea and the nausea. It’s been pretty intense. So, the fever and chills and such are gone and I’m just generally weak and shaky. I’m taking it easy in my new town.
Oh, so I am waiting for the airline to deliver my bags today since they didn’t get them to me when the plane landed. I find it hard to understand how bags don’t make it on a 40 minute flight with no layovers or transfers or anything! It’s pretty amazing. But, it’s not entirely surprising either.
My new home is very nice. It’s not the 5 minute walk from ISE that I was assured it was, but the 15/20 minutes through a not so great part of town is exciting! The house has a really nice layout. We are enjoying the two terraces, the sunroom, the spacious roof, hot water, big bedrooms, a huge living room, nice size office, and great kitchen. We don’t really have any furniture, so I am typing on my computer while sitting on the floor with the computer on top of a empty box. It works, so no problem! We’ll manage to find something to make it feel a bit more homey!
Another interesting thing has occurred. From what I have heard from people who live here, the power never goes out. It is always on, though there are some problems with a shortage of water. Well, the first morning I was here the power went out and it is out again today. I am pretty sure that the Cape Verdean government knows that I moved and is trying to torture me! I wouldn’t put it past them at this point. Okay, that’s like a conspiracy theory, which may be the illness talking.
I will take some pictures of the house and try to get them posted so that you can see what it’s like. Unfortunately, living in Mindelo means less frequent access to internet. Our school has one computer we can use, but it’s slow and I can’t do such things as upload pictures. I’ll have to go pay to use an internet café, which is why I am typing this all at home and then will run over and just post it online for you to read!
No real adventures in Mindelo to report as of yet. My new roommate got here before me and has scoped out the scene, so she’s good for info on all sorts of things. I am looking forward to a good year here and a more relaxing year too. I am taking it easier and not taking it all so seriously.
It’s been a long road to get here to Mindelo, but I’ve made it. I am finally in my new city. But before I take you through the move, I need to update you on Max.
The day before I left my old island, it was pouring down rain! I absolutely had to get Max to Sao Domingos to live with a family there. As I mentioned in a previous post, Max was on to me last time, so he was a no-show when I went to pick him up. This time, I preempted being fooled by feeding Max and keeping him out of the rain for the morning. Then I got him all excited about going in a car. I rented a Taxi instead of trying to get him on a public Hiace with 20 other people. We had our own private ride up to the countryside, through the mud and the muck! We finally arrived near our destination and because of the torrential downpour, the taxi couldn’t get us exactly to where we were headed, naturally. So, we were dropped off on a road above the neighborhood and had to hike down the side of a hill to another road and then walk a ways, but we made it. I only lost my flip flop in the mud 2 times and managed to get there with only about half of my body splattered with mud. Max greeted his new owners, a bunch of kids were at the house and he showed his teeth a few times to tell them when they were getting “too friendly” with him. Other than that, he was a perfect gentleman. He seemed to be happy. I had to leave quickly to visit my own homestay family before the big move, so I tricked him into staying in the house and ran quickly back up the ravine to the road. I prayed the whole way that Max would not cleverly figure out the way back to Praia and show up at my doorstep! He certainly didn’t make his way to Mindelo, so I seem to be in the clear!
So, I am now in Mindelo and feeling both happy and uneasy. I have been very sick for the past week, which means that I have eaten nothing but a little bread at a time, which immediately makes me hit the head. I must have gotten a really, really nasty bug in my system because on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I felt as if I had been hit by a Mac truck. I felt like I had the flu with the worse case of diarrhea a person could have (oh, sorry, that is a very generally acceptable thing to say among volunteers and Cape Verdeans because it is SOOO common here, but I know in the states we are a little grossed out when talking about bodily functions). I have yet to recover from the diarrhea and the nausea. It’s been pretty intense. So, the fever and chills and such are gone and I’m just generally weak and shaky. I’m taking it easy in my new town.
Oh, so I am waiting for the airline to deliver my bags today since they didn’t get them to me when the plane landed. I find it hard to understand how bags don’t make it on a 40 minute flight with no layovers or transfers or anything! It’s pretty amazing. But, it’s not entirely surprising either.
My new home is very nice. It’s not the 5 minute walk from ISE that I was assured it was, but the 15/20 minutes through a not so great part of town is exciting! The house has a really nice layout. We are enjoying the two terraces, the sunroom, the spacious roof, hot water, big bedrooms, a huge living room, nice size office, and great kitchen. We don’t really have any furniture, so I am typing on my computer while sitting on the floor with the computer on top of a empty box. It works, so no problem! We’ll manage to find something to make it feel a bit more homey!
Another interesting thing has occurred. From what I have heard from people who live here, the power never goes out. It is always on, though there are some problems with a shortage of water. Well, the first morning I was here the power went out and it is out again today. I am pretty sure that the Cape Verdean government knows that I moved and is trying to torture me! I wouldn’t put it past them at this point. Okay, that’s like a conspiracy theory, which may be the illness talking.
I will take some pictures of the house and try to get them posted so that you can see what it’s like. Unfortunately, living in Mindelo means less frequent access to internet. Our school has one computer we can use, but it’s slow and I can’t do such things as upload pictures. I’ll have to go pay to use an internet café, which is why I am typing this all at home and then will run over and just post it online for you to read!
No real adventures in Mindelo to report as of yet. My new roommate got here before me and has scoped out the scene, so she’s good for info on all sorts of things. I am looking forward to a good year here and a more relaxing year too. I am taking it easier and not taking it all so seriously.
Monday, September 11, 2006
How do you get rid of a dog?
I have tried to get rid of Max, but it doesn't seem to be working. As I type, he is sitting outside of the door to the Peace Corps office just waiting for me. Here's the story....
First, I arranged for Max to live with Rhett. Then Rhett's roommate didn't want a dog.
Second, I arranged for Max to live with Rhett's homestay family in Sao Domingos. I went yesterday to get Max and take him to Sao Domingos, but he was conveniently nowhere to be found.
Then, I returned from Sao Domingos and ran by my old house to get a few things. When I got there, Max was happily waiting for my return. So, since I am now staying in a hotel across the street from the Peace Corps office, I brought him here to eat and had him stay outside.
Next, I talked to a guard who said he would take Max (his dog had recently died). I thought I was home-free at this point! This morning, I walked out of the hotel, expecting Max to be around with the guy who lives here. But, the man told me that Ze (Max's former owner) picked him up in his car this morning and told the guy that Max had a home in Sao Domingos! I had told Ze this yesterday when I went to Sao Domingos and ran into him and his wife.
Finally, this afternoon, I have to run back to my old house and who is there waiting at the door, but MAX! He returned to my house, from Ze's house!
Honestly, I just can't win. Not at all! This dog is sticking to me. I have to call Ze and figure out what the heck is going on! Goodness gracious! This is getting ridiculous.
First, I arranged for Max to live with Rhett. Then Rhett's roommate didn't want a dog.
Second, I arranged for Max to live with Rhett's homestay family in Sao Domingos. I went yesterday to get Max and take him to Sao Domingos, but he was conveniently nowhere to be found.
Then, I returned from Sao Domingos and ran by my old house to get a few things. When I got there, Max was happily waiting for my return. So, since I am now staying in a hotel across the street from the Peace Corps office, I brought him here to eat and had him stay outside.
Next, I talked to a guard who said he would take Max (his dog had recently died). I thought I was home-free at this point! This morning, I walked out of the hotel, expecting Max to be around with the guy who lives here. But, the man told me that Ze (Max's former owner) picked him up in his car this morning and told the guy that Max had a home in Sao Domingos! I had told Ze this yesterday when I went to Sao Domingos and ran into him and his wife.
Finally, this afternoon, I have to run back to my old house and who is there waiting at the door, but MAX! He returned to my house, from Ze's house!
Honestly, I just can't win. Not at all! This dog is sticking to me. I have to call Ze and figure out what the heck is going on! Goodness gracious! This is getting ridiculous.
Friday, September 08, 2006
he bit me
Max took a serious bite out of me yesterday. I have a pretty nice size bruise with 4 distinct teeth mark places. Luckily he got me through my clothes, so he didn't break the skin. Rhett is no longer taking the dog. I can't say that I blame him. His roommate doesn't want Max. His owners returned from America. He growled and snapped at them. He isn't happy. I just don't know what to do. They don't want him back, so I am stuck with him. What to do???
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
I'm never getting out of here
My boss just told me that I now have to stay in Praia until next Wednesday for a review of this summer's training. On Saturday the new volutneers will be sworn in as official volunteers, which will formally make me a 2nd year volunteer. Also on Saturday the new folks will be moving into my home, which means that I will have to move into a hotel until the following week when I can get out of here. The hotel has AC and hot water so I am not complaining about this at all.
Oh, I do have a house in Mindelo. According to my new boss, Dora, the house is near her home, is furnished, is close to school, has hot water, and a good roof space. I hope she is right, at this point, I am not all that sure about what things will be like when I get there. I do know that Mindelo is having its cultural festival/ theater festival now, so that will be fun! Now that my moving date has been pushed back, I'll be in Praia a bit longer, which is not all that bad. I will get to see my students once more before going and I will get to get some more work done here before I leave!
Oh, I do have a house in Mindelo. According to my new boss, Dora, the house is near her home, is furnished, is close to school, has hot water, and a good roof space. I hope she is right, at this point, I am not all that sure about what things will be like when I get there. I do know that Mindelo is having its cultural festival/ theater festival now, so that will be fun! Now that my moving date has been pushed back, I'll be in Praia a bit longer, which is not all that bad. I will get to see my students once more before going and I will get to get some more work done here before I leave!
Saturday, September 02, 2006
hiking in Serra Malagueta
Today I went hiking in the prettiest spot on this island! Serra Malegueta is beautiful, just look at the pictures! We went up to the Principal valley at 8 and hiked for about 4 1/2 hours. There were 12 of us, some trainees and three volunteers. It was a really, really relaxing and nice hike, which is exactly what I needed after the horrendous week I have had. I have been completely and totally stressed out. My new dog has decided that he is crazy. He jumped at me and ripped my shirt, growled and snapped at three friends, and he has just been mean in general. I have talked to a new trainee, Rhett, who will be living in my house, and he wants Max. I am debating about this issue. I'm not sure if I should give up on him so easily, but he seems to have aggression issues that I'm not prepared to deal with. I am going to speak with his former owner about him and see what I should do. Rhett wants to train him out of his behavior, and at this point I am ready to just give Max to someone who is not scared of him! I'll keep you posted on this issue. I am moving on Friday, Sept. 8th, so I will have made a decision by then. Any advice from my friendly readers is welcome!
Friday, September 01, 2006
Pictures of Max and more
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My batteries are finally charged, so I have taken some shots Max. He's a pretty cute dog!
In other news...
Still no house in Mindelo and I leave in less than a week. THEN, I just went to pay my electric bill and found out that I owe about $100 for power during the two months that I was without power. It's pretty insane that the power company can completely screw you over and there is nothing to be done. Everyone here just shrugs and pays their bills, including Peace Corps. This is basically 1/3 of my salary that will now go to paying my electric bill this month. I spoke with Peace Corps, but they can't change the power company. At any rate, I have spent the past several hour being frustrated and crying because I can't seem to get anything to go right for me! I just don't believe I should have to pay for power I didn't use. Unfortunately in this country there is only 1 company running everything, so they have a monopoly and the people living here have no choice and no way to change things. Being a foreigner living here is even more frustrating because I don't understand it and cannot just be complacent with this.
In still other news, the Peace Corps transit house officially closed today. There was a house in Praia for volutneers who visit the capital or have to come in for official PC business. The transit house was a central meeting location for everyone and had a TV, videos, books, and stuff like that for volunteers. I recently started a clothing exchange program where I collect clothing from volunteers and PC staff to donate to a women's shelter. The transit house was a great location for this project because volunteers were constantly coming and going and could leave their old clothing there for my project. Unfortunately, the transit house is gone and now volutneers have no common space. We have no place to stay when we come into Praia on non-official business, which means that volutneers are expected to either pay for a hotel or ask a Praia volunteer if he/she can crash at their place, which is a burden on the Praia volunteers. It's been a pretty big debate, but ultimately Peace Corps won out and closed the house down. It's pretty sad. BUT, now when I come to Praia, I can stay in a hotel room with hot showers and air conditioner! There's always an upside to these sorts of things :)
Okay, well, enjoy the pictures and the randomness of this post!
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
oh, the saga continues
My Peace Corps boss came to me today with another "problem"! Apparently, my new apartment in Mindelo is no more. We are back to not having a house and I am moving in 1 week. I know that everything will work out, but seriously! My boss told me today that the contract on the house was signed and the furniture was being delivered to the house when the landlord told the guy coordinating the move, that he didn't want to rent the house any longer. GREAT. So, we're back to square one. I'll keep you posted on what is going to happen. Maybe I'll just live on the street! Who knows at this point. It's always something around here.
Monday, August 28, 2006
My last week at training
I've been participating in training the new volunteers for 8 weeks now. This will be my last week! I'm pretty excited to be finished and pretty sad to know that come this weekend, I'll not see these new friends for about 6 months. It's similar to my leaving last year, but this year, I have felt like a mentor with these kiddos! I'm older than all but 2 of them and have been here a year longer than all of them. That, in itself, means that I've spent the past eight weeks answering questions, telling stories, giving examples, setting examples, and generally enjoying my time getting to know everyone. I can honestly say that I'll really be sad to leave. BUT, as you all know, I'm moving, so I'm not TOO sad! I'm really excited for what is to come.
I'm working on a proposal for the Minister of Education this week that will, if approved, grant funding for my in-service training project. This project will have me travel to all of the high schools in the northern islands to give teaching workshops and do classroom observations. I'm really hopeful that it will go through!
Oh, one last thing. I heard today that my new house is beautiful. The guy who went to check out the house, told me that it is great. He said that a musician used to live there and it is very clean and very nice. I'm pretty excited to get there and get things set up! Okay, Max is begging me to get out of here. We just had a nice, long run and he's ready to get home for dinner (me too)!
I'm working on a proposal for the Minister of Education this week that will, if approved, grant funding for my in-service training project. This project will have me travel to all of the high schools in the northern islands to give teaching workshops and do classroom observations. I'm really hopeful that it will go through!
Oh, one last thing. I heard today that my new house is beautiful. The guy who went to check out the house, told me that it is great. He said that a musician used to live there and it is very clean and very nice. I'm pretty excited to get there and get things set up! Okay, Max is begging me to get out of here. We just had a nice, long run and he's ready to get home for dinner (me too)!
Sunday, August 27, 2006
cape verdean men are... prissy
I have been working toward this realization for quite some time now. The other night, I had to get my dog to come into the house after he got into a "tiff" with some other dogs. There were about 15 men at the bar near my house watching this all go down. When the dogs started figthing, the guard across the street jumped onto a nearby porch, another guy ran away quickly, leaving me standing there trying to get my dog to act right. Eventually, I got it straightened out, but all the men just stood by and tried to give me commentary on what I "should" do! It was ridiculous.
Then, to further my general impression that Cape Verdean men are prissy, I was in a car yesterday with all of the staff from Peace Corps who help with training, and one of the men began talking about how he grooms himself. All of the other guys got in on this and agreed that Cape Verdean men, even those who work in the farms like to be "pretty." Cape Verdean men have a reputation for being extremely machismo, which is absolutely true; however, they also at the same time are not like the overblown, testosterone driven males in America. It's just different. Cape Verdean men never fight with their hands, instead they are notorious for throwing rocks at each other!!!!!!! Crazy. I have seen one too many rock throwing fights in my year here.
This is just a general observation, of course, all men here are not like this, but MANY, MANY are!
Then, to further my general impression that Cape Verdean men are prissy, I was in a car yesterday with all of the staff from Peace Corps who help with training, and one of the men began talking about how he grooms himself. All of the other guys got in on this and agreed that Cape Verdean men, even those who work in the farms like to be "pretty." Cape Verdean men have a reputation for being extremely machismo, which is absolutely true; however, they also at the same time are not like the overblown, testosterone driven males in America. It's just different. Cape Verdean men never fight with their hands, instead they are notorious for throwing rocks at each other!!!!!!! Crazy. I have seen one too many rock throwing fights in my year here.
This is just a general observation, of course, all men here are not like this, but MANY, MANY are!
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Missing DOG!
Okay, so I know I just got Max, but I have already lost him. He's been doing well, except the other night he had a minor meltdown. I think he is starting to realize that he former owners are not going to return for him. I believe that he may have gone looking for him. Their house is not too far from mine, so I walked there today in hopes that he might be around. NO LUCK.
I really hope that I haven't lost the dog for good. He and I were getting to understand each other! I am off to try to do a more thorough search for him. I'll keep you posted on the dog search.
I really hope that I haven't lost the dog for good. He and I were getting to understand each other! I am off to try to do a more thorough search for him. I'll keep you posted on the dog search.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
packing
I have only been in Cape Verde for one year! In that time, I have moved from Sao Domingos, to my first house, to the house I am currently living in. Each move, as all moves do, requires cleaning out and throwing out extraneous things. This time, I am moving to another island, so I am having to throw out just about everything. It's amazing how much stuff I have accumulated since the last move. Peace Corps paperwork and manuals alone take up a suitcase! I have just about gotten it down to a manageable amount of things for the move. I, of course, have Max, my clothes, some kitchen stuff, and my electronics. I will have to put the kitchen stuff on a boat and send it to Mindelo, and I am trying to figure out if Max can go on the plane or if he and I also must go on the 17 hour boat ride!!!! I have to work all of this out in the next 2 weeks.
Well, my dog is begging me to take pictures of him to show everyone, but unfortunately, my battery charger blew out and all my batteries are dead, so I have to buy some. It's quite a process, but I'm working on it.
On another note, the new folks found out where they are headed for the next two years. It was a pretty cool activity. We wrote their names and sites along with a proverbs on pieces of paper, then stuffed them into balloons. We threw all of the balloons at them, had them each take one and they popped a balloon, read the proverb and then announced the site to the person. It was great because they were the ones telling each other where they were going. They really liked it and we had a great time! There are some very cool people moving near me, so I'm happy. At the same time, two of the girls that I'm pretty close with will be far away, but they are both on islands that I have never visited, so it's a great excuse to visit them!
It's Sunday and I'm returning home to pack some more! I promise to get on top of the pictures!
Well, my dog is begging me to take pictures of him to show everyone, but unfortunately, my battery charger blew out and all my batteries are dead, so I have to buy some. It's quite a process, but I'm working on it.
On another note, the new folks found out where they are headed for the next two years. It was a pretty cool activity. We wrote their names and sites along with a proverbs on pieces of paper, then stuffed them into balloons. We threw all of the balloons at them, had them each take one and they popped a balloon, read the proverb and then announced the site to the person. It was great because they were the ones telling each other where they were going. They really liked it and we had a great time! There are some very cool people moving near me, so I'm happy. At the same time, two of the girls that I'm pretty close with will be far away, but they are both on islands that I have never visited, so it's a great excuse to visit them!
It's Sunday and I'm returning home to pack some more! I promise to get on top of the pictures!
Friday, August 18, 2006
Always a bridesmaid, never a bride! :)
My very good friend (from graduate school) Steph is marrying another one of my very good friends, Chris next fall. Yesterday, I got a package in the mail with my birthday gift from Steph. She wrote a lovely card and in the card asked me to be in her wedding! I am sooooo touched. I can't wait to share this special time with two wonderful people!
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
things are looking up
Yesterday my plumbing was fixed (at least temporarily)! I was soooo relieved when the guys showed up to tear up my washroom and bathroom, and after about 2 hours pumping out the "dirty" water and refinishing the flooring, things were back to normal. I am just happy that I don't have to mop up sewage from my floor any longer!
On to other things....
I just returned from training today. The trainees are settling into their normal routines, which mainly consist of attending training, complaining about everything, being bored, going to a bar after school and having a few drinks before returning home to their families. It really is similar to what was going on last year with our group. They are a good group of folks! This Saturday, they will find out where they are going to be for the next two years. I know they are all really, really anxious to find out where they will be headed. I remember just about a year ago when we found out. It is bittersweet to know that you will be headed to a different island than all of your friends. Some people will be headed to islands that are fairly isolated from the rest of the group. Some of these trainees will be sad to have to leave one another. But, I'm looking forward to moving and to finding out who will be living near me for the next year. I think that it'll be great to be living on a different island and to get to know a whole new group of people for my last year here.
I am beginning to think about packing for my move, which is quite a daunting task. I have dishes and kitchen stuff that I bought when I moved to Praia that I want to take with me; however, I'm not sure how much of it I will be able to take with me. With the dog, my things, and the house stuff, it's going to be a challenge. I'm planning on sending things on a boat and I might even go on the boat as well, but I'm not really looking forward to an 18 hour boat ride to my new home! We'll see what happens with that.
I must run to my house and make sure nothing else has gone wrong! I'll post pictures as soon as my camera decides to work properly. Without a pin drive and a crazy-acting camera, it's been quite a challenge to get things posted online! I guess a new digital camera will have to be my next big purchase!
On to other things....
I just returned from training today. The trainees are settling into their normal routines, which mainly consist of attending training, complaining about everything, being bored, going to a bar after school and having a few drinks before returning home to their families. It really is similar to what was going on last year with our group. They are a good group of folks! This Saturday, they will find out where they are going to be for the next two years. I know they are all really, really anxious to find out where they will be headed. I remember just about a year ago when we found out. It is bittersweet to know that you will be headed to a different island than all of your friends. Some people will be headed to islands that are fairly isolated from the rest of the group. Some of these trainees will be sad to have to leave one another. But, I'm looking forward to moving and to finding out who will be living near me for the next year. I think that it'll be great to be living on a different island and to get to know a whole new group of people for my last year here.
I am beginning to think about packing for my move, which is quite a daunting task. I have dishes and kitchen stuff that I bought when I moved to Praia that I want to take with me; however, I'm not sure how much of it I will be able to take with me. With the dog, my things, and the house stuff, it's going to be a challenge. I'm planning on sending things on a boat and I might even go on the boat as well, but I'm not really looking forward to an 18 hour boat ride to my new home! We'll see what happens with that.
I must run to my house and make sure nothing else has gone wrong! I'll post pictures as soon as my camera decides to work properly. Without a pin drive and a crazy-acting camera, it's been quite a challenge to get things posted online! I guess a new digital camera will have to be my next big purchase!
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Long time, no post!
Everyone! I am very sorry about the lengthy delay in posting. I will promise to be more on top of my writing. I have had a heck of a week, so I am now getting around to writing a bit. I'm sure that last thing you want to do is hear about it all, but that's what this blog is for, so here it is.
The lights are BACK! Finally, the power in Praia is on and consistently so. We have only lost power during the day a couple of times for several hours at a time, but that beats now power for 36-48 hours at a time. I'm extremely happy to be in the land of the lights again.
The lights are amazing, but the plumbing problem that has since developed is far from spectacular. And now that I have lights, I can actually watch as sewage rises from the drainage hole in the bathroom and floods the floor. It's extremely disgusting and I am in a constant state of cleaning it up. My former roommate made me aware of this, what was then a small problem, the day before she left. It had apparently been happening for several weeks, but I never witnessed the problem. The day before her leaving, she told me about it. Now, when you use the bathroom, any sinks in the house, or take a shower, the bathroom floor floods with the water! I called my landlord. He came to see me about it a week later. He is supposed to be coming tomorrow with a plumber to address the problem. I am just happy I will be moving from the house in 3 weeks. It's disgusting and I nearly throw up everytime I have to clean up the mess.
On a much happier note, my new dog MAX is wonderful. Max came to live with me on Monday evening, just hours after Dianne, my former roommate, left the country. I was happy to see Dianne leave and happier to see Max enter my life. Max has made me sooo happy. He is the coolest dog (except for the Jakes in my life). He is a mutt. He is cute. I promise to post a picture of him very soon. He has two different color eyes and a coat of three different colors. I took him on the Hiace up to Sao Domingos yesterday to see some friends there. He loved sticking his head out the window and checking everything out. And though he weights about 50+ pounds, he really wanted to sit on my lap! He can sit and is very obedient. He loves to play outside and will run the streets without supervision. He's a big fan of following me anywhere and everywhere that I go. He is a sweetheart and seems to get along with everyone. He's playful at times and lazy at times, which to me, makes the perfect combination. The guard across the street from my house has taken to him and so now Max sleeps on the bench across the street at night to keep the guard company. Then he comes inside for sleep and food and hangs out inside when I'm around. He's sleeping here as I type, being a good boy!
Well, that's about it from me. I'm still working with the new trainees, which has proven to be very taxing. I say that not because of the trainees themselves, but because of the staff that I work with. I am now pledging to stay as far away from the inner-workings of Peace Corps as I possibly can. It's not worth it. On the other hand, the trainees are cool and they have repeatedly told me how much they appreciate my spending my summer with them! I think that's about it from here. I promise to write more on a regular basis, Josh!
The lights are BACK! Finally, the power in Praia is on and consistently so. We have only lost power during the day a couple of times for several hours at a time, but that beats now power for 36-48 hours at a time. I'm extremely happy to be in the land of the lights again.
The lights are amazing, but the plumbing problem that has since developed is far from spectacular. And now that I have lights, I can actually watch as sewage rises from the drainage hole in the bathroom and floods the floor. It's extremely disgusting and I am in a constant state of cleaning it up. My former roommate made me aware of this, what was then a small problem, the day before she left. It had apparently been happening for several weeks, but I never witnessed the problem. The day before her leaving, she told me about it. Now, when you use the bathroom, any sinks in the house, or take a shower, the bathroom floor floods with the water! I called my landlord. He came to see me about it a week later. He is supposed to be coming tomorrow with a plumber to address the problem. I am just happy I will be moving from the house in 3 weeks. It's disgusting and I nearly throw up everytime I have to clean up the mess.
On a much happier note, my new dog MAX is wonderful. Max came to live with me on Monday evening, just hours after Dianne, my former roommate, left the country. I was happy to see Dianne leave and happier to see Max enter my life. Max has made me sooo happy. He is the coolest dog (except for the Jakes in my life). He is a mutt. He is cute. I promise to post a picture of him very soon. He has two different color eyes and a coat of three different colors. I took him on the Hiace up to Sao Domingos yesterday to see some friends there. He loved sticking his head out the window and checking everything out. And though he weights about 50+ pounds, he really wanted to sit on my lap! He can sit and is very obedient. He loves to play outside and will run the streets without supervision. He's a big fan of following me anywhere and everywhere that I go. He is a sweetheart and seems to get along with everyone. He's playful at times and lazy at times, which to me, makes the perfect combination. The guard across the street from my house has taken to him and so now Max sleeps on the bench across the street at night to keep the guard company. Then he comes inside for sleep and food and hangs out inside when I'm around. He's sleeping here as I type, being a good boy!
Well, that's about it from me. I'm still working with the new trainees, which has proven to be very taxing. I say that not because of the trainees themselves, but because of the staff that I work with. I am now pledging to stay as far away from the inner-workings of Peace Corps as I possibly can. It's not worth it. On the other hand, the trainees are cool and they have repeatedly told me how much they appreciate my spending my summer with them! I think that's about it from here. I promise to write more on a regular basis, Josh!
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
and then the rain came
And boy did it rain. It's August 1st and we finally have REAL rain. As I type this, it's still raining. At about 4:30 this morning, I shot out of bed because of an unfamiliar sound. It was pounding rain. I quickly realized that my drying clothes, were now completely, hopelessly wet. I decided to get up and take care of moving them around, then looked outside to see the city flooded. Because there is rarely ever rain in Cape Verde, the streets are not prepared for the downpours that happen in August. Currently, the streets are completely full and the cars are trying to navigate the mess. It's quite a scene. But, at least we have the rain.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Another day in paradise...
No lights. No rain. No pin drive.
That about sums up what's been going on here on my island!
No lights.
But things are looking up from what I hear. The rumor in Praia is that the new generator for the power company is here and we will see the results of this very soon. This week I got my power bill from my time without electricity and it was DOUBLE what it normal is. Geez, no power and I'm getting to pay for the power that I'm not even using. What is that about???? This is driving me crazy. I really hope they get this all resolved soon. I can't afford to pay double what I usually pay. When you are making $300 a month, a $40 power bill hurts. I know it doesn't seem like much but it's a pretty good chunk of my salary.
No rain.
I reported our first rain just last week. That was apparently the first and last rain. We have had no great waterworks come our way since. A few sprinkles here and there, but not enough to make a dent in the constant water crisis.
No pin drive.
My amazing gift for destorying or losing electronic equipment is astonishing. Recently my old pin drive quit working, so I turned to the new one my Aunt and Uncle gave me before moving here. I had only been using it for a short time when it went missing. I have not used it much since school has been out, but I know I had it last Thursday in the Peace Corps office. It is pretty difficult to survive nowadays without a pin drive since I am constantly moving from computer to computer just to try to beat the failing power.
I am pretty ready to move. I have just a few more weeks until I pack up and head North. I defintely looking forward to my life in Mindelo. I am also looking forward to the new addition to my household, MAX - the wonder dog! I get him on August 8th! I'll post some photos of him when I get them.
That about sums up what's been going on here on my island!
No lights.
But things are looking up from what I hear. The rumor in Praia is that the new generator for the power company is here and we will see the results of this very soon. This week I got my power bill from my time without electricity and it was DOUBLE what it normal is. Geez, no power and I'm getting to pay for the power that I'm not even using. What is that about???? This is driving me crazy. I really hope they get this all resolved soon. I can't afford to pay double what I usually pay. When you are making $300 a month, a $40 power bill hurts. I know it doesn't seem like much but it's a pretty good chunk of my salary.
No rain.
I reported our first rain just last week. That was apparently the first and last rain. We have had no great waterworks come our way since. A few sprinkles here and there, but not enough to make a dent in the constant water crisis.
No pin drive.
My amazing gift for destorying or losing electronic equipment is astonishing. Recently my old pin drive quit working, so I turned to the new one my Aunt and Uncle gave me before moving here. I had only been using it for a short time when it went missing. I have not used it much since school has been out, but I know I had it last Thursday in the Peace Corps office. It is pretty difficult to survive nowadays without a pin drive since I am constantly moving from computer to computer just to try to beat the failing power.
I am pretty ready to move. I have just a few more weeks until I pack up and head North. I defintely looking forward to my life in Mindelo. I am also looking forward to the new addition to my household, MAX - the wonder dog! I get him on August 8th! I'll post some photos of him when I get them.
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