Letter from Alex on the first few days

Bonjour, Fofo, sannu, salam, alaikum July 15, 2009

It has been a very interesting not yet even a week. So many things are so different, I am not sure exactly where to start off.
The plane rides were quite boring. Both times I was in one of the middle seats of the aisle. Fortunately, I was sitting next to a fellow PCT from Paris to Niamey (pronounced Knee-ehmeh).
In all, there are 32 of us, 9 guys, 23 women. Youngest will be turning 21 this Oct, I believe. Landed in Niamey mid-afternoon July 9th. Stepped off the plane into 100+F. Passing through security went well, but encountered my first trouble at baggage collection. In Philly, I had cleared out half of my small luggage and stuffed it into the larger & my carry-on so that I could fit some things of another PCT who would have been overweight for checked luggage. And as no good deed goes unpunished, it was the small luggage that arrived, not my larger one. And so once all the other baggage had been claimed, another PCT & I reported we were each missing luggage. Tondi, a local PC guy, helped us with that. The ride from Niamey to Hamdallaye (a village of about 4,000 someone said) showed us the countryside. Must say that there is far more green than I had expected. Lots of trees & what not.
Those thatched huts we saw pictures of are for sleeping (if one must go inside) and personal storage or, if elevated (on wooden frames), for food storage. However, back to day 1, they showed us how to how to hang up the mosquito net using a slip-knot. Slip-knot very important as we found out that first night, for as we were sleeping that night, a dust storm arose which seems to be a herald of rain storms (at least at this time of year). So we quickly had to let loose the knots grab the bundle of net & mattress, and move it inside. Meanwhile, weather changed from a bit of wind to not being able to see 15 feet in the time it took us to climb out of mosquito net, tear down, and rush into building 20 feet away to reset mosquito nets and try to fall back asleep while some metal door kept slamming open & closed from the wind & rain pounding the metal rooftop.
The 10th was first full day in Niger. The nice thing about the rain is that it keeps the next day cooler, albeit a bit more humid. Day started off with introduction to PC Niger staff. Had culture fair on PC compound (where we slept first 2 nights). One girl in particular kept dragging me into the dance. Guess she will have to compete with a certain Sophie who I passed on street one day and seemed to have a crush on me.
Taking Doxycycline for 2 weeks until mefoquine kicks in (no strange dreams yet).
July 11th – We started with a small language lesson to learn some basics of either Hausa or Zarma (I’m doing Hausa). It was fun to be learning some, but difficult nonetheless. Had some stations around PC compound showing how to use the latrine (for those who only used toilets), how to wash clothes by hand, bucket bathes, etc. Found out didn’t pass French Interview for Intermediate-mid level, which I was happy for because then I get to take some French lessons, but am now loathing as we are starting at the very beginning, despite what we already know. Moved in with host family, consists of father (Soulet), mother (Isso (sp)), and daughter (3-yr old Nana).
July 12th – I got my 2nd suitcase. Very nice. Got rust stain on some clothes I had hung up to dry on metal wire. Bought my first stuff in village street vendor market area. Easy enough to do in French.
July 13th – Was second sand storm/rain storm. Not much else except boring language class.
July 14th – Tuesday is Markey day, so after some morning health lessons & lunch, went into Marche. Bought material to have pants made and a shirt. Safety & security lesson after 2 hr lunch break. Shane started feeling sick, but is better now. Oh yeah, I’m rooming w/Shane for these 9 weeks.
I’m starting to get used to this 100+ degree weather, which is good, right? As more evidence that I’m adapting, I was a bit chilly in last nights 70 some degree weather. The days aren’t terrible if you can find some shade beneath a tree (which are common enough everywhere but in my concession). Also, light breeze helps keep things cool.
People around here are nice. It does not take long to get a bunch of kids yelling “Fofo” at you as you walk down the street. Friends & relatives are free to enter compound as they will.
Food is good here. Lots of starch (rice, sweet potato, rice), some beans, some meat (but not tons), from my experience. Several different sauces, tho I think all are tomato-based (at least so far).
Easy to get used to sitting on mat, reaching in & grabbing food with right hand.
Feels like I’ve been here a month already, days go slow & accumulate slower than expected. Don’t terribly miss the cleanliness of home yet, but it still kinda feels like camp, not yet life.

Culture shock #1: Boys & men will often walk around holding hands if they’re good friends. Very common sight I’m still not used to.
Culture shock #2: Lots of cell phones in this country. Not everyone has, but a good number do. And on that note, they said that almost 100% PC Nigerians have cell phones to I’ll look to get one in Niamey. I guess most PCV’s have home call them at a set time as that is easier than calling to the U.S.

I do love you all and miss the states, but can’t think of much else to say. If my memory serves right, I should have a cell phone before my second letter gets home, so maybe that’s what to look forward to. Hope to talk to you soon and know that all is going well.
Much love,
Alex

P.S. Should have brought flip-flops, not just sandals. Shoes mostly for walking long distances I think. Might look for some next Tuesday (Market Day),
P.S.S. Something to think of for Mom, contacts are a no go in this country. Glasses only.
P.S.S.S. I had forgotten to mention I’ve been given a Nigerian name by my host family. Sani, which means second (as in second child, etc.).