Kumba cont…
July 4, 2009
I never want to eat another french fry again.
Luckily dinner will not be prepared tonight on account of our 4th of July celebration (yes, we’re still celebrating). The past few days have held little in the excitement department. My clinic work is not as enticing as it is supposed to be, and I’m often left to what they call “nurses”to entertain and follow around. We’re currently working on either contacting the doctor and/or switching clinics for a more hands-on experience.
After leaving work on Friday at 9:45…my clinic buddy and I were taken to the market by one of her older “brothers” named Akwo. He was a really nice guy – though not exceptional in the bargaining department. I bought 3 different materials (6 yds each) for 9000 francs total – that’s barely over a dollar a yard. I hope to take one to a seamstress soon to get myself a sweet African dress! Akwo also said that there is another market close to us where we can buy more authentic African souveniers – woodwork, masks, etc…so I’ll have to see what I can get there.
Today we went to Barombi (I think) where the ETHOS engineers are completing a water project to get clean water to the village. It was generally what I expected would be my situation in Kumba – much more downtrodden and the poverty more obvious. We hiked uphill for 1 or 2 miles to see the pipelines and then were fed a VERY generous meal by the village elders. I had a hard time with this, as children in the town (with distended bellies) crowded around us. Other than that, we were entertained with some drumming and a man who dressed up in burlap sacks dancing around the yard and eventually around us as we left.
Tomorrow I’ll be going to mass (hopefully not the 6:00 service) and then will visit an orphanage. One of my host sisters also works with catholic relief services and may be showing me the homes of some HIV patients as well as orphans that she cares for. I have just a few hours to get ready for our big 4th of July party tonight! Hope you’re all having fun in the states!
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1.
Aunt Molly (Tilley) | July 4, 2009 at 4:58 pm
HI Katie – Sounds like your having a lot of different experiences! I’m really impressed that you bought some material to make a dress. Maybe with your new dress and your awesome tan (that you probably have by now), you’ll blend in with the locals a little better. Take Care and keep writing!!
2.
Michelle | July 4, 2009 at 9:41 pm
oh cool! an african dress!
wow, even without so much ‘hands on’ stuff following nurses around, you’re still experiencing so much- thanks for sharing! and play with some of the orphans for me! i made a friend today, this little kid came and ripsticked with me. he had a cool helmet.
oh, we need pool noodles for our house next year.
3.
Mom | July 6, 2009 at 2:05 am
So, are you making a new dress because the one you brought shows too much leg?? I wondered about that. Anyway I can’t wait to take you to church wearing it when you’re back home.
Tell us what the weather is like. Are your shoes still dry?
Love You, Mom