New Place
I have now moved into my own two room apartment in Latri Kunda, attached to one of the NSA member's house. They feed me, and apparently they will do my laundry when I request it.
Other than that I'm pretty much on my own. Its kind of weird. They aren't yet ready for me to start teaching and there isn't really anything else for me to do, so I am reading through the various Baha'i books I brought, and slowly learning a little more about where to buy things every day. They have coke and sprite here, which is very nice every once in a while.
I got my phone today, so I had to find out where to buy minutes for that (its all prepaid), and again the place is very close. Actually there are about 14 places that are really close, eveyone that has a business in anything also sells mobile minutes for one or both of the cell phone companies. EVERYONE has a cell phone, and there are very few places where you can get a landline.
I hoping they get ready soon (they said today they might be ready in a week or so) beacuse I have lots of time right now to get homesick. :(
I said to one of my friends yesterday on MSN that everything here is different. It's not just the big things, and not just the little things, its literally everything. There is nothing you see that you think "Oh...that is just like at home", it just doesn't happen. Very strange.
Tomorrow I will be busy :) In the morning there are children's classes that I have been asked to help with, and after than we (the Baha'is) are all going to the beach! Its the Atlantic Ocean, but apparently it will be a little warmer than I'm used to it being!
Hoping Megan/mom will call tonight, so I'm sure megan will have more to post after that.
-Liam
Other than that I'm pretty much on my own. Its kind of weird. They aren't yet ready for me to start teaching and there isn't really anything else for me to do, so I am reading through the various Baha'i books I brought, and slowly learning a little more about where to buy things every day. They have coke and sprite here, which is very nice every once in a while.
I got my phone today, so I had to find out where to buy minutes for that (its all prepaid), and again the place is very close. Actually there are about 14 places that are really close, eveyone that has a business in anything also sells mobile minutes for one or both of the cell phone companies. EVERYONE has a cell phone, and there are very few places where you can get a landline.
I hoping they get ready soon (they said today they might be ready in a week or so) beacuse I have lots of time right now to get homesick. :(
I said to one of my friends yesterday on MSN that everything here is different. It's not just the big things, and not just the little things, its literally everything. There is nothing you see that you think "Oh...that is just like at home", it just doesn't happen. Very strange.
Tomorrow I will be busy :) In the morning there are children's classes that I have been asked to help with, and after than we (the Baha'is) are all going to the beach! Its the Atlantic Ocean, but apparently it will be a little warmer than I'm used to it being!
Hoping Megan/mom will call tonight, so I'm sure megan will have more to post after that.
-Liam
10 Comments:
At Saturday, April 29, 2006 5:18:00 PM,
Anonymous said…
Liam and I had a great chat earlier. He sounded good! His present mission is to figure out where to buy eggs ... I got the feeling he's had enough rice for awhile.
Thanks for adding more info to your blog, Liam. Just one word for you though - PICTURES. (Mom)
At Saturday, April 29, 2006 5:23:00 PM,
Anonymous said…
Liam and I had a great chat earlier. He sounded good! His present mission is to figure out where to buy eggs ... I got the feeling he's had enough rice for awhile.
Thanks for adding more info to your blog, Liam. Just one word for you though - PICTURES. (Mom)ICTURES. (Mom)
At Saturday, April 29, 2006 6:31:00 PM,
Anonymous said…
Hey Stickman! Homesick is all part of the experience... and just when you think you truly can't stand it anymore, it suddenly starts to get better - so hang in there. It was fun to be at your Mom's today and hear her talking to you, even tho I could only hear one side of the conversation. :)
Hope you are writing all your thoughts and feelings about this, as later you will forget so much of the 'first impression' stuff. Tell us all the mundane stuff, like what the markets are like, what they sell there, what kind of fruit/veggies you can get, and what new foods you try. What people wear, do for entertainment, how they do ordinary everyday things - whatever. We will be interested to hear it all!
Love you lots. Consider yourself hugged!
At Saturday, April 29, 2006 6:51:00 PM,
Anonymous said…
Hi Liam..so nice to get some news.
pictures would be nice. Are there some pretty places there? Something you'd like to show or is it very drab?
Is the language very difficult to learn? Will you be able to teach without knowing the language?
I hope you are keeping a journal and make a few notes evey day.
Love you and miss you.
Grandma
At Sunday, April 30, 2006 8:24:00 AM,
Anonymous said…
Go to Leybatto! Email me if you don't know where that is. There are tonnes of toubabs there. If you get a cell phone you won't regret it. I once paid 200D on a 3 minute phone call back home from one of the telecenters.
I don't know what organization you're there with, but VSO has got a great library and cheap internet access.
I loved the tapalapa.
There still should be movie night or something at the French school near Westfeild.
Let me know if you have ANY questions. Have fun!
http://mygambia.typealice.com
-G
At Sunday, April 30, 2006 9:37:00 PM,
Anonymous said…
Hi Liam, It's very interesting to read all your reports about everything in your "new life"!!! I miss you just knowing you are soooo far away! Are you minding the heat there? Love you Liam. Aunt Monica PS It will be nice to have an address so we can send you 'real' mail too. lol
At Monday, May 01, 2006 6:46:00 AM,
Anonymous said…
Hi Liam: So great to hear your news! Sounds like things are starting to settle into somewhat of a pattern for you, now that you have your own place. Take lots of pictures of your apartment, the people you are working with, the market, the Atlantic Ocean! Can't wait to hear about that excursion . . . how it compares to our visits to the Bay! We drove over to the Bay on Sunday and it looks like that big ridge that was there last year has settled back down again. Bye for now . . . hugs from Aunty Mary and Uncle Terry!
At Monday, May 01, 2006 8:02:00 AM,
Anonymous said…
PS. Vimto is another kind of pop you can get there. It was my favorite. Fanta is good- like Orange Crush- but not as fizzy. Try Vimto! I miss it!
-G
At Monday, May 01, 2006 2:25:00 PM,
Anonymous said…
Liam glad to see that you are enjoying yourself and that you are getting excited to be there rather than being homesick. I hope things continue to go well for you and that you keep busy and happy. MSN huh? hmmmm... take care!~
At Tuesday, May 02, 2006 4:09:00 PM,
Anonymous said…
Hi Liam!
Sounds great over there! Keep enjoying yourself, the homesickness will pass. And yes, I agree with everyone, some pictures would be nice!
Take care,
Alanna :)
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