Sick and Sick

Hello All- Well, I am in the city now and have been for about a week. I was planning on coming in, but when I came down with a fever and the worst headache of my life, decided to come in a little sooner. After doing some tests, the PC doc ruled out Dengue Fever (his first guess) and then malaria, and finally decided that I have mono. He's not exactly sure how I contracted it- but his guess is that Joe somehow passed it on to me, even though he had it- oh, about 8 years ago in high school. Who knows. Between that, a skin infection and your other typical jungle meds (malaria meds), I have been on more medication in the last month than I think I have been in my entire life. But, I am finally feeling better- just exhausted and really nauseous. But don't worry- I'm on medicine for that, too. I'll have been in the city for about 3 weeks when I finally head back; we all have training next week and then are planning on staying in to watch the election. It's interesting bc a few people in my village have asked me who I am voting for. They really like Obama!

The village life is going. I am getting more used to it, but it is still difficult and challenging- as I am sure it will be for the next 1.5 years. I'll finally be starting English lessons when I get back, as the villagers keep asking for them. They have also mentioned a few other things that they would like; a school and a machine to help pound rice, which, after helping with I can completely see the justification for the rice machine. Since this is the main-or basically entire part-of their diet, having a machine to help them clean and pound the rice would make their lives a lot easier. It is really hard work- no wonder the women have such strong arms! After helping for about 20 minutes, I was worn out- they use a huge mortar and pestle (wooden) to pound and break up the rice, raising it about their heads and slamming it down repeatedly until the rice is broken up. It’s an all day- or multiple day- affair.

I have been trying to visit the villagers more, even though it gets very uncomfortable and repetitive very quickly. I have the same conversations over and over, but sometimes there are interesting ones. Like when a villager brought me to his house and gave me cold oranges, then pulled out his Jean Claude Van Dame movie collection. They’re impressed with his fighting skills! It’s interesting the American things they’ve encountered here. I had a discussion with a girl about the show ‘Are you Afraid of the Dark?’- Which she informed me was too scary for her-and which I remember watching in about 6th grade-thanks Nickelodeon! Also, the people with generators like to play their music loud and early (luckily another PCV gave me some earplugs so I can try and sleep in past 5:30) and I’ll hear a nice AM mix of Celine Dion, Ben Folds Five, DMX, Bob Marley and Beyonce. At least they like to spice it up!

I’m hoping to be going on a vacay for the holidays. It’s really tempting to come home for a few weeks, but I worry if I do, I won’t want to come back. I’m still sad that I’m not going to be able to do any baking! (The Dutch Oven isn’t the best, and I have a feeling any candy would melt instantly-or just never harden!) Hopefully I can come up with something! Well I miss you all and love you- hope all is well!

p.s.- I put up some pics of my house on the Kodak site. Now you can all see my little home!
p.p.s - Mom I hope you are coming up with a sasy costume for Dixie for Halloween-you know she is going to want to go trick-or-treating!