Had a quick morning of classes then had the whole afternoon
to do what we wanted. On Thursdays the office is open until 8 pm instead of
4:30 and the program staff drives us back to our homes so we’re safe after
dark. Yesterday a bunch of us went into centre ville and bought African fabric
so today Sasha, Abby and I went to a tailor to commission clothes to be made.
I’m getting a high-waited skirt.. so excited to see how it turns out! After
that we took a taxi to an enormous market. It’s amazing that we could get around
on our own without feeling uncomfortable or out of our element.. what a
difference a week makes. We befriended a guy named Junior who loved Sasha and he had a great
leather bag that I loved so I asked where I could find one like it. We went
into a back alley but they didn’t have anything great so we were about to leave
when he asked if I wanted to buy his. We bartered for a while and eventually I
bought it for $6 and I love it so much! I’m going to the tailor to get a zipper
put in tomorrow so it’s safer to walk around with it. It was such an amazing
experience. But I got back though I realized that someone had slashed a big
tear in my LongChamp. While concerning, nothing was taken and I guess I just
realize that I have to expect some bad things to happen here and to not let
them get me down, and I was so lucky to leave with all my valuables. Hopefully someone here can repair it. When we got back we went to the grocery store to get
materials for dinner. We made an enormous amount of pasta, with vegetable and
tomato sauce and beans.. so delicious. We played some get to know you games
because we realized while we have come to rely on each other so much we really
don’t know each other yet. Now going home to skim some readings and off to
bed!!
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| Marche Mokolo! Really doesn't show at all how crazy this market actually is. |
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| Some small shops along the road with the mountains in the background. |
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| Junior, our new friend who sold me his bag |
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| Pretty light at dusk |
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| First Thursday American dinner! (Sasha, Thyra and me) |
Bonjour Andie,
ReplyDeleteI have just read all your blogs, how interesting. I must be an old aunt, because all the way through I had my teeth clenched thinking "please be careful" as I read how you just wandered around with strange blokes. I am glad that nothing was taken from your bag, it unfortunately can happen anywhere, and now you will walk around like a "granny" with your bag all clenched up under your arm! Skip has just returned from PNG and he uses a transport company called "Guard Dog Security" due to the unrest where he visits.
Isn't it wonderful, your host family has running water and that you get along with them. I love reading about them and their lives and what you do each day. The photos are wonderful too.
Cameron came home this week, after 10 weeks boarding at the snow. He had 45 days skiing and did his schoolwork after skiing. He is more independent and he did come home with "attitude", that has thankfully gone. He is back to his lovely self. He is sporting the worst goggle tan but he is very proud of it. His school won the Schools National Championship competition and Cameron actually represented his school in Skier X.
Take care and enjoy
love Aunty Susan