Reporting Life

There's a baby on the way!

noreply@blogger.com (Nadia) — Thu, 14 May 2009 03:06:00 +0000

So, by now you know that I am no longer in Togo. I miss it sooooo much. I really hope that I don't lose contact with too many folks there because I really want to go back in a year and a half.

In the meantime, Tristan and I are preparing ourselves for life's next challenge: parenthood. Yes, I'm going to be a mom in less than two months. I really thought I would write a weekly progress report of the pregnancy, but that never happened. I'm not as disciplined as others in this regard, but I hope that I can at least share my thoughts and feelings (in the belly and beyond) with you as often as possible.

I'm still keeping the posts from my time in Togo because it has a special place in my heart and hope that one day my children (yes, there will be more) will delight in my adventures.

noreply@blogger.com (Nadia) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:59:00 +0000

To my faithful readers:

My adventures have not yielded. No, they are simply delayed by an episode in life. Once this is over, another chapter will begin and the stories will be better than ever.

Thank you for your support and love.

Always,
Nadia

noreply@blogger.com (Nadia) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:24:00 +0000

We are going home.

Togo, you have been good to us. If we could stay we would.

Merci a tout le monde!!!!

With a little rain, floods occur.

noreply@blogger.com (Nadia) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 17:25:00 +0000

So it seems. There have been many major roads shut down recently due to flooding. It's not too bad considering that all traffic is going through my village now so it's easier to get home. But the price of traveling is rising so there's an incentive not to travel. Besides, roads get far more dangerous when vehicles swerve to avoid potholes and chickens . . . and people. Yeah, it's quite disappointing to see that a taxi driver will almost run over someone in an effort to avoid damaging their tires. I understand that it's not cheap to fix, but is it really worth someone's life?

Recently, a few friends of mine where on a 15-placer traveling up on the route national (Togo’s main highway.) In the process, a local got off without paying the taxi driver and got into a different car. Now, it’s clear that the individual is trying to get away without paying, but it appears that he saw his friends en route and decided to joke around. The taxi driver was not amused and followed the friend’s vehicle for quite sometime. The friend even ran through a checkpoint where the military usually set up and bother everyone for a few CFA. [They don’t have much choice and neither would I if the military carries an unloaded weapon for the mere joy of intimidation.] Anyway, the 15 placer driver would rather retrieve his $4 or $5 than care about anyone’s safety in the vehicle. My friends repeatedly told him to stop but he continued. When the vehicle caught up to the friend’s car, which had been stopped by the police, my friends demanded to be let out of the car. The driver refused to give them their bags (piled about 5 feet high on top of the vehicle) so my friend climbed the car and retrieved their bags. She said it was pretty scary. I can only imagine. I really don’t like the driving situation here in Togo one bit. But, it does put things in perspective.

Not very many people here will ever own their own car and some may never ride in one. But the hassle that they go through is so overwhelming that it’s almost worth not traveling. And that is what upsets me the most. Travel can be so exciting, so memorable, and rewarding. I would love to own a plane in order to take some of my Togolese for a small joy ride around the world. I would take them to Texas for some BBQ, Mexico for taquitos, and New Zealand (random) to enjoy the landscape. They love to hear my stories of the places I’ve been and those I’d love to visit. I almost want to cry thinking that they may never see a place outside of Togo and the beauty that surrounds them. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to travel and see places even some Americans may never see. And, most of all, I enjoy sharing my stories with those who someday would love to follow me in that journey. But for now, I suppose it’s best that we just try to avoid the floods that can wash those dreams away.

A cup of coffee

noreply@blogger.com (Nadia) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 12:09:00 +0000

If anyone is interested in robusta coffee from Togo, please let me know. Tristan and I work with the group and we're always looking for potential buyers.

I don't drink coffee, but I hear it's delicious. Check out their site at www.cafekuma.com!

Hope everyone is doing well.

A bientot!!!

Etiquette 101

noreply@blogger.com (Nadia) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 16:20:00 +0000

I know it’s important to follow local customs in any country. But in my travels I’ve encountered several moments of injudicious behavior, especially during mealtimes. I loathe (yes, that’s more than hate) eating with a million utensils surrounding me. I know it’s somewhat practical but I can’t stand having too many decisions calling out to me when it was difficult enough to decide on what to eat. During my honeymoon, I found myself stressed out during mealtimes because every time I would get just one fork to eat with and gently place the others aside, the waiter would come by and rearrange them to annoy the living hunger out of me. That’s why I’m so thankful to be in a country where no utensils are needed. I love eating with my hands. Almost all authentic Mexican-American food is eaten best by ten digits. Tacos, chalupas, gorditas, chips and salsa, burritos, etc. Here in Togo it’s no different. Fufu, pate, rice and beans, fried plantains, bananas (I’ve seen people eat these with a spoon, and it wasn’t even on a salad!) But, aside from the proper use of utensils or the right-hand, what do you do when you’ve eaten something your palate, tongue, and teeth disagree with? It’s only a second. It doesn’t take long to realize that you’ve eaten what your eyes warned wouldn’t be tasty but your mind adviced to be appropriate. After all, you can’t really say you don’t like it if you haven’t tried it. Well, I will advise you to give it a try, but once is enough. Except here in Togo, it’s pretty much the same meals everyday at every household. Sure, the sauces may be a bit different, but the fish is still intact and the chicken just doesn’t have enough meat to suck on.
Recently, we were invited over to a friend’s house who welcomed us as family. Someone always brings out water which we have to respectfully decline since it’s not filtered. Then we wait. Cooking with charcoal takes quite some time. But, we had a snack so we can wait. When the food is ready, they invite us in. The bring two enormous plates of food. One contains the pate, the other the sauce (with the fish. . . still intact.) I serve Tristan his plate, then mine giving us equal amounts of food which they never think is enough. After we pray they bring out what is perhaps the best invention in the world. No, not a fork. COCA COLA. Yes, this beverage has saved me more times than water in my travels (I obviously haven’t been stranded in any desert.) Coke cancels out the taste of bad food, is almost always served cold, and the bubbles play a little melody as they stream down. It’s been with me in almost all my “first” food adventures: when I first had sushi (which I now love); when I ate an unidentified piece of meat in Ghana; in Egypt eating street-food; in Brazil eating couscous (which I still don’t like); and in Greece when I ate a mound of mayo thinking it was ice cream. Coke has been there. Thank you Coca Cola and all it’s employees. Forget the embargo sanctions imposed to you. Travel well.
I must say, though, that I wasn’t in dire need of a coke this time around. The food was delicious and despite me reaching into my mouth to gather the tens of fish bones stuck in between my teeth and tongue, the meal and the company were very delightful. And the best part, I never had to reach for a fork.

Let’s Dance

noreply@blogger.com (Nadia) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 16:20:00 +0000

I can’t think of a better way to work off all the calories I just ate than to dance it off. Back home I was a very timid dancer. I never liked dancing around others because I was afraid that I was constantly being judged, like in a beauty pageant without all the glamour and fame. But here in Togo, I love it. Our group loves dancing too. During a week-long seminar, we choreographed an amazing dance to the tune of Kanye West’s most popular song, “Gold Digger” or something like that. We even competed and won against the NRM (Natural Resource Management) group in March. To celebrate our one-year in country (yes, it’s been a year!!!) we went out dancing at a nightclub. I was getting very antsy because it was getting late (10 PM) and I had not danced all the food I ate for lunch, and it was A LOT. My friend’s knew I didn’t go out much considering that I was getting pretty tired by 10:30 PM. We finally danced the night away at midnight and I was working it. Yup. I can dance. All those years of practice-dancing in the privacy of my home paid off. J Now, if I could only sing I would be a Broadway star!

“Cleanliness is next to godliness”

noreply@blogger.com (Nadia) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 16:17:00 +0000

I love to clean. Heck, apart from wanting to be a marine biologist, my other dream job would be to work in a huge mansion as a very well-paid maid, about 100K a year. If I could only deal with all the silverware (see “Etiquette 101” entry). J
No, really, I love cleaning. I do it almost every single day here in Togo. Well, I cleaned almost everyday in the US too, but I do it excessively here. During the harmattan season (November to March) I cleaned twice a day. I know, it’s ridiculous, but I couldn’t stand the look of unpolished wood. Most volunteers clean their homes once a month or once in their service. Some pride themselves on the latter, but I see nothing to be had. Cleaning is essential. Maybe not everyday, but at least once a week. Those same volunteers who clean once a year also have the worst hygiene. I still don’t understand why they make it a competition to have gone the longest without bathing or washing their clothes. Most Americans don’t like the way Togolese smell, but that’s because they don’t have deodorant, it’s not because they haven’t showered. But we as Americans should know the importance of good hygiene and have the means of purchasing a stick of deodorant, so there’s no excuse. Good hygiene prevents sickness and disease. It allows one to see potential areas of infection or growth, like skin cancer. Sure, some go overboard in the fragrance department, but a nice bar of soap can go a long way, no perfume needed. It’s difficult to teach on a subject matter so important to the well-being of others when the presenter doesn’t apply the information on him/herself.
Hygiene is a huge problem here in Togo in part because of lack of sewage infrastructure. Latrine projects are huge around here, but what happens when they fill up? Well, you make another one nearby, right? How often is this happening? From what I can see, not very often at all. In Lome people use the restroom on the ocean shore (that’s numbers 1 and2). So, if you see my pics of the ocean, you won’t see many people around. In Kpalime, people use the restroom just about anywhere. If you need to go, no need to hold it. Older women hike up their skirts and go. Who am I to tell them otherwise? Where can I tell them to go? There are no public restrooms and latrines are hard to find (or I’m just not looking hard enough.) I always see someone “using the restroom” on roadsides or against buildings. But, what gets me the most is when people relieve themselves in fields. This is never acceptable. How can it be? Some volunteers don’t buy fruits, veggies, or rice unless it comes from the grocery store, which is extremely expensive. But, I don’t blame them. I don’t buy certain local products, but I generally bleach all my fruits/veggies whether I peel them or not. I do my best to stay clean both inside and out. Now, if we could only have a competition to see who’s the cleanest. I already know my competition. Again, this is cleanest not best dressed. For that, there are a hundreds of Togolese who’ve got me beat.

Death, Taxes,. . . and Decisions?

noreply@blogger.com (Nadia) — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:00:00 +0000

We got back to our home in Kpalime on Monday afternoon after three days of travel. It was hard going back home knowing that I couldn't stay. Or could I?

We left my parent's home on Saturday morning. I had said my farewell to my grandmother the night before knowing that I would not see her again. On the way to the airport we were so worried about getting checked-in on time that we forgot to fill up the rental, which would mean $4.50 a gallon instead of the lesser, yet equally ridiculous price, $3.49. At the rental place, the young man said he had it covered (THANK YOU Mr. Wonderful). We paid the extra $80.00 for being 20lbs overweight (the bags, not me) and made it to our terminal 30 minutes early. Yeah for efficiency. We arrived in New York well after midnight and slept in the lobby of terminal 2 because we're too cheap to stay the night at the only hotel with availability - the Crowne Plaza. :) Sunday morning I was awakened by passengers arriving from Phoenix, AZ. Tristan and I made our way to the international terminal and spent most of the morning downloading music on ITunes. When it was finally time for us to leave (14 hours after we arrived), Tristan was asked to talk to an airline representative about a baggage concern. Being who I am, I wanted to take his place because I would be a bit more aggressive had the airline notified us that our baggage had been destroyed (we had to sign a waiver) before we left. I sat patiently and watched three of our four checked bags climb into the airplane. Surely someone got into our red bag to take all the goodies we've purchased at Wal-Mart. I watched as Tristan walked back to his seat with a somber look and inquired about the red bag. He quietly told me that it was his mother who phoned to inform us of my grandmother's passing. It was so bizarre. I had been in the states five weeks helping out my mother and now I would not be there with my family during this time. But, the plane had not left. What to do? Get off and find a flight back to Texas? Continue on?

Decisions. They're almost as certain as anything else in life. Every decision I have made has had it's consequences, good or bad. Joining the Peace Corps was a HUGE decision. Now, I was in a position to make another decision that would change my life forever (not to sound too dramatic.) I phoned my mom and asked if she wanted for me to be there with her. No, she said. "Your grandmother saw you and you spent time with her. She is grateful." So many thoughts crossed my mind at that very moment. In the end, I decided to return to Togo. So, I'm here as a result of a decision I made. And, despite the circumstances, I'm thankful.

We're going home!

noreply@blogger.com (Nadia) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:23:00 +0000

Times have been a bit tough back home. This past October I lost two uncles and in December an aunt. On Easter weekend my sister phoned saying that my grandmother wasn't doing well. So, Tristan and I have decided to go home for a month to spend time with our family. I really miss them and I can't wait to see them.

I'm writing from the Accra Airport in Ghana. We wanted to get here early so we left Kpalime at 7 am. We made it to the airport in plenty of time alright. . . we've been sitting here for about six hours and have another eight before our flight departs for New York. We will be home in two days!!! Wow, I'm tired just thinking about it.

I hope everyone is doing well. A big thanks to those who read my blog. Please, keep me updated with what you're doing as well. Miss you! NCM

Financial Education

noreply@blogger.com (Nadia) — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 11:52:00 +0000

Work with my coffee cooperative has been on hold for the past month due to tax issues on behalf of the supermarkets here in Togo. We are working things out and expect to be up and selling in no time.

In the meantime, I'm gathering information on money management skills for members of the microfinance I've been workign with. I start classes in April and I'm a bit nervous. Any resources you can provide would be appreciated. The microfinance would like to educate members about money so that they will repay their loans on time, which is apparently a big problem here in Togo.

Tristan and I have been away from village for almost two weeks for training and travel. I'm eager to get back to clean, of course, the mounds of dust that have collected since our departure. We plan to celebrate Good Friday in the company of other volunteers.

Happy Easter to everyone!

Bicycle Diaries

noreply@blogger.com (Nadia) — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 13:38:00 +0000

Our taxi days are over. Well, sort of.

This past week Tristan and I ventured up the mountain, about 19km from home, on our lovely mountain bikes. The only thing lovely about the trip, aside from the bikes, was knowing that it would all be done hill coming back (no pun intended.) This is the same mountain we walked down a month ago due to lack of cars not for our enjoyment or physical activity. The walk down took us three hours, the hike up was two. Oh, and they were perhaps the longest two hours of my life. In fact, this is in par with the two hours I spent in a hospital for kidney infection. I kept singing the theme to Rocky in my head hoping that it would inspire me but it didn't. I moved on to thinking about Lance Armstrong and wondering how long it would take him to climb it. I figured 15 minutes or so. In passing villages I noticed a huge difference. Not very many of them sang the lovely "yovo-yovo bonsoir" tune. Most of them said "du courage" and so we did. Halfway up, crazy thoughts crept into my mind like, "How much can I pay a local to push me up the mountain?" Then, I saw it. The vision of a stronger, thinner me. So, I pedaled as fast as my size 6 feet could possibly push and in no time we made it. I was so happy. Nineteen kilometers straight up the mountain and I didn't even complain. Well, out loud. :) After my short nap and a huge bowl of rice, I was ready to head downhill. The first part of the mountain is the most dangerous for three reasons: 1. There are very few cars around (the reason for the riding), 2. Without the cars I can't very well ride to the nearest hospital, and 3. The roads are not paved, so it's rocks and potholes. I felt like I was competing at the X Games. The adreline was almost as high as jumping out of a plane, but that only took 60 seconds. This seemed like an eternity. I closed my eyes in some parts because I wanted to see only beautiful visions of home (in the USA) in case I fell and died. Then, I relaxed and made it through two rocky hills. The only thing broken (I think) were the gears which I didn't need on the way down, right? Anyway, short story long, Tristan and I made it and we plan to do it every Tuesday until rainy season. This time we'll walk the bikes down the rocky parts and take pictures so every can see the stronger, thinner, tanner us. :)

Taxi!!

noreply@blogger.com (Nadia) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 11:27:00 +0000

One thing that I will never miss from our time here in Togo is the arduous task of hailing a taxi. Many Togolese negotiate the price without a problem. But, for many of us amateurs, this is a very unnecessary practice. Why? Because the taxi drivers just around the city looking for passengers and if you give them even a reasonable price (what a Togolese is willing to pay) they laugh and drive off. Even on our rides to the big city you constantly hear the Togolese bargaining the price down by a few hundred CFA. But, if we try it they get all upset and demand payment without breaking a smile. In fact, I got hit by a taxi driver (the person not the car) for not paying the full fare of 1500, I paid 1450. Yeah, they love their drama.

Top Ten Things I've Done Only in Togo

noreply@blogger.com (Nadia) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 13:00:00 +0000

10. Eat/Drink Powdered Milk.
9. Use the restroom in back of any building.
8. Watch hours of Sci-fi without getting bored. I'm hooked on BattleStar Galactica.
7. Go without dusting for more than a week. It's going to happen. There is just soooo much dust.
6. Sit in the front seat with three other people. Yes, that's right. The worst part, all cars here are manual.
5. Bleach vegetables.
4. Eat unidentified meat parts. My motto: Just don't ask.
3. Enjoy hot weather year-round. This is actually a good thing. I love it!
2. Cut Tristan's hair. I don't know how I convinced him, but he let me do it. It's a bit uneven, but no one will notice. :)
1. Negotiate. There's just something wrong about negotiating food prices. Furniture, clothes, souvenirs. . . that's okay. But food?
Moi: "How much for the pineapple?"
Elle: "200 F" (50 cents)
Moi: "That's expensive! Diminuez le prix, s'il vous plait."
Elle: "But I need to eat."
Moi: "Well, so do I."

See, this is not turning out to be a good strategy.

December 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Nadia) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:51:00 +0000

Indiana Jones: If only these people knew you the way I knew you.
Beloq: You could warn them if only you spoke Hovito.

It’s been seven months since we first arrived in Togo. In that time, I’ve shared my moments of frustration because I didn’t, or rather don’t speak French fluently. However, I’m noticing more and more that the problem isn’t going to be the lack of French I speak or not pronouncing the “r” correctly – in Togo they pronounce the “r” like “rr” as in carro (Spanish) – but that most of the people in Togo are like some Americans: they have a short tolerance for those who don’t speak the native language. Let’s take for example Janice. Janice is a good person. Hard-working, college educated, smart, pretty, etc. One day Pedro walks up to her as she leaves a restaurant and asks, in Spanish, where the hospital is located. Now, she could easily say, “Well sir, I don’t speak Spanish” and continue on with her day. Every one knows what that means, even Pedrito’s five-year old daughter who doesn’t speak a lick of English but has seen ET once at home. Instead, she stares at him (bleeding and all) and tells him nothing. Yeah, I’m Pedro sometimes. In fact, I was Pedro when I went to a local restaurant knowing very well that foreigners frequent the place so someone must know at least the numbers in English. But heck, I spoke French and I pointed! So, what could I have done differently? Nothing, well besides keep practicing my French. People are the same everywhere. You have those that will do their best to help you out and those that want to watch you starve or die because you can’t speak their language, or they have already decided when they saw you walk up in your beautiful outfit, that they will refuse to understand you. I mean, how hard can it be to decipher two fingers up one hand while the other points to the menu?

And that’s not all. Most educated Togolese speak French, but many others just speak Ewe. So, Peace Corps volunteers that have French backgrounds have a head start in learning the local language. I’ve learned how to say yes, no, lady, man, food, hungry, God. . . the essentials. But greetings in Togo are not the office greetings in the U.S. when someone asks how you are doing and walks by without hearing your response. Togolese greetings are EXTREMELY long. They want to know not only how you are doing but how your family, your neighbor, your health, your business, your kidneys, or even that open sore on your foot even if you told them the day before. Now, I’m not saying this is bad or redundantly painful, but when it’s your turn you better have remembered exactly what they said the day before. That’s when it gets tricky. Togolese get offended when you don’t remember their names or facts they’ve shared with you before. The good news, I have a great memory; the bad, it doesn’t help me speak Ewe.

Happy Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Nadia) — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 11:26:00 +0000

Cafe Kuma members learn the basics of camping.

RPCV Lydia, Sewavi (my homologue) and Tristan at Lydia's Farewell Party.

I hope everyone is doing great. Tristan and I are moving this week to our new place. Yup! I move a lot even here in Togo. Our address is still the same but if anyone wants to come visit we'll have another extra bedroom. :)

A lot has happened during these last few months. My French is getting so much better, but my Ewe is still pretty bad. Actually, nonexistent.

I'll update with more info in two weeks and hopefully add more pics.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!!!!

A month at post

noreply@blogger.com (Nadia) — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 20:53:00 +0000

One month at post and I'm still going strong. Well, my stomach is being weird but I'm great. :)

My current projects: money and coffee. I thought I would escape the world of Excel going halfway around the world, but it found me again. I'm working with a microfinance institution in attracting new members and automating everything. Thankfully, I know how to navigate Excel pretty well so even if it's in French I understand. As for the coffee part, that won't happen until December when the current volunteer leaves, but I'm looking forward to it. She's doing a great job with them and I'm eager to start working. We're both tea fanatics so it's difficult to test quality, but I bet I can start enjoying a cup or two every once in a while. :)

Everything else is going great. I know some of you have tried calling but can't get through. Our families are having a very difficult time as well. :(

I hope everyone is doing great. Please write. I'll do my best to get hooked up to high speed internet once a month to reply. Oh, keep the packages coming. A GRAND MERCI to those who have sent their best wishes.

We miss you!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Nadia) — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 13:11:00 +0000

The path to the training center.

Our host home. Isn't it wonderful?

Tristan, Fidel (Host mom), Luther, Manuela, Victoire. Yup, that's a satellite in the background.

Blandine (Our training director) and moi at the swear-in ceremony.

Pictures!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Nadia) — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 13:07:00 +0000

Tristan and me in Lome

L - The road to Nyogbo from Kpalime

B - Soy milk in the making

I'll add more later when I learn how to properly do it. :)

Hope everyone is doing well.

We are Volunteers!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Nadia) — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 12:05:00 +0000

As of Thursday, August 23rd Tristan and moi are now Peace Corps Volunteers. Things aren't too different yet, but I'm sure that will change soon.

Ah French!
I had the privilege of staying an extra week in Lome for intensive language training. Tristan is already at post and I'll join him next Monday. They all wondered how he was going to eat. "With a fork and spoon I presume." :)

Thou shall not steal
We had our first encounter with a pick-pocket in Lome (this city is notorious for that). Tristan, a fellow volunteer and I were walking to the grocery store past the market. [The market, or "marche" in french, is congested almost everyday. It's ideal to shop at the "marche" because all items can be bargained for. I hate the practice but if I want to save enough money for future travels I must perfect it.] At any rate, our friend took the lead and a young man stood a bit too close to her. At first I thought he was moving to prevent being hit by a car. Then I noticed him reaching for her pockets. She turned around and yelled. I, of course, yelled as well. Tristan grabbed the man, through him to the ground, and pinned him until the authorities came. Okay, so the latter didn't happen but that would have been interesting to see. Actually, Tristan just pushed the man away and continued walking with our friend. The man lashed out at Tristan in French so I stood back because I didn't know whether his anger would go on further. Everyone else around us also got involved, but they just yelled in Ewe (the local language). I stared at the man in disdain and was about to reply to his dumb comments, but a passerby gently said "Let it go, it's over." So, I kept walking. I knew that he would get his share of harrassment because stealing isn't acceptable here either. In fact, if I were to have called him a thief the people would take care of the situation themselves. But, their form of punishment is harsh so it's best to avoid the situation altogether.

Life in the big city can be dangerous. But being in Lome does have it's perks - great food, fast-speed internet, the beach.

We're almost done

noreply@blogger.com (Nadia) — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 10:06:00 +0000

with training. Our french is going okay, I suppose. I understand everyone but I can't make sentences using the past and future tense, so I may need to stay in Lome (the capital) a week after swear-in to have one-to-one, all-day sessions with my personal formateur. What I meant in understanding everyone, I don't mean the French. They speak wayyyy to fast for me, but the Togolese speak 100 times slower. This mas it easier for me to buy the essentials (bread, juice, candy, avocados, toilet paper) when I'm in town. The struggle I have with french is that the last consonant is never pronounced (so it seems). However, if I'm trying to get my point across fast, I say the word in Spanish with a slight accent (I know, I already have one) and it seems to work pretty good.

I hope everyone is doing well. We have CNN at my host family's house and we're trying to keep up with the latest news back home. Most websites take a year to load with all the flashy ads, so we can't rely on this method for most of our news.

Some have asked about care package suggestions. Where can I begin? Actually, starting is not the problem, ending is. :)
I'm afraid of checking the site for my address, so I'll just list it again along with our number.
Nadia McInnis, PCT
Corps de la Paix
B.P. 3194
Lome, Togo
West Africa
011-228-024-7274

I miss you guys!!!!!!

Oh, requests. . .

propel instant drink (the bleach taste gets old fast)
spices (yes, I'm cooking now) like cinnamon, taco seasonings, chicken seasonings
hard candy
Tuna
burts bees bug bite relief
beef jerky
blank cds
movies
dried fruit
anything else you'd like to send (make sure it doesn't weight too much)

The City Life

noreply@blogger.com (Nadia) — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 13:44:00 +0000

We are in Kpalime today for post visit. During post visit we meet our homologue (counterpart) and get to know the city that we'll be living in during our service. Since Tristan's position will require him to make the internet faster, we'll have access to internet everyday. Heck, with our two-hundred-something-dollars a month salary each, we should have enough money to visit the internet cafe daily. Oh, that's if we don't spend it all on calling cards. I'm not sure if I mentioned that calls to the U.S. of A are $1 per minute and if I did, this is the shock in me still taking it's toll.

I hope everyone's doing well. I promise to post something tomorrow.

It's been a while, I know.

noreply@blogger.com (Nadia) — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 09:05:00 +0000

Hello friends! Happy 4th of July. Its difficult to type on these keyboards so I’ll make it brief for my sanity sake.

Life is great! There are so many interesting things around Togo. Our host family takes good care of us. We get plenty (some days too much) to eat. Our diet consists of pineapples, mangos, avocados, eggs, and lots of starches!

In a few days we’ll learn our post, which will be our new home for the next two years.

Wait, I just figured out how to change the keyboard.
:0)

Tristan and I are having a great time.
Our current schedule:
-Wake up at 6.00
-French class
-Technique Class
-Lunch - 2.5 hours
-Technique class
-Tutoring
-Dinner at 5.30
-Watch t.v. (yes, not only does our host family have a t.v., they have a satellite!)
-8.00 to 8.45 time for bed

I'll try my best to make an update this weekend. Our host mom joined us today, so I don't want to keep her waiting too long.

We miss all of you!!

Staging Event in beautiful Washington, D.C.

noreply@blogger.com (Nadia) — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 03:57:00 +0000

We have spent the past two days with our future colleagues and we'll soon be on a jet plane to Togo. Of course, we must have our dose of vaccinations before we get our tickets and passports. Nothing like a yellow fever vaccine to get the day started.

It's midnight and we're still up trying to determine what "luxury" items we can't do without. Heck, we brought plenty of toothbrushes but not enough toothpaste. Thankfully, one piece of Orbit White will "remove and whiten" my teeth in no time. :)

Off to packing.

Time is catching up!

noreply@blogger.com (Nadia) — Fri, 18 May 2007 03:35:00 +0000

Our apartment is almost empty and we've got no toaster, dishes, video games, VCR (yes, I still own one), or DVD player to keep us fed or entertained. In seven days we'll be in London and apparently it's cold and rainy in May (and most of the year), so I've got to go shopping (I'm not complaining) since I figured that the entire Nothern Hemisphere shared the same seasons and packed only "summer" attire for the next few weeks. One word: layers.

I'm getting excited about this great experience and I hope that I can keep you posted often.