Model GMC
Trip Start
Jun 2008
1
10
28
Trip End
Aug 2010
Rosso, Mauritania
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Hey everyone,
For all of you following the recent political events please know we are all safe. Our PC Country Director has been keeping a close eye on everything and it looks like we should be able to continue on with our work uninterrupted. I will be sure to keep you all up to date though.
I was just thinking the other day how fast time has gone by here. I don't know exactly how long we have been here, but I do know we only have a few more weeks until we ship out to our permanent sites! I can remember how big of a shock it was walking around Rosso when I first arrived, dealing with the menacing goats, precarious donkey cart drivers, and all around culture shock. Now, though, I feel pretty at home here. I am used to drinking 15 glasses of tea a day. I have no problem sweating for 23 hours each day. And I can even understand what people are saying to me.... I am also glad I have a pretty good relationship going with my host family. I definitely do not have a lot of the luxuries (like running water or electricity....) that the other trainees have, but my family is definitely very supportive of what I am doing here and have not tried to take advantage of the "rich American" staying with them. I still look pretty tough, though, so I am sure that has something to do with it... haha. Seriously though, this has been a real eye opening experience to see how much of the world actually lives. I am definitely not eating like I did back in the states (don't worry mom I am getting plenty of nutrition), and I think it is easy to forget how lucky many of us have it back in the USA. This experience has really made me appreciate what I have. I would still like to win the lottery, though.
Check out the pictures. We took a hike out near the river and saw some nice new scenery. We also saw this fella who got in a tangle with a giant lizard. The lizard (about 6 feet long) lost....
In other news, outside of language class we have started our more formal (model GMC) training sessions. We gave our first lesson today.....in Hassaniya....ha ha. We gave a talk on malaria and sanitation and they actually seemed to understand what we were saying... There was a lot of participation, too, so I think we are on to something here.
Other than that, it is still hot, I have managed to keep the goats out of my business, and I am organizing a wish list if anyone wants to send me a package (hint hint). Ha ha.
I hope all is well.
Mike
