Saturday, June 18, 2011

Hey everyone!!
Oh man where do I start?? Life here has been good but definitely a challenge.. Although I knew to expect that I wouldn't have electricity or running water that becoming a reality has been a bit hard to adjust to.  Just imagine going to bed at around 9 every night because the sun goes down at 7:30 and things get pretty dark after that. Or imagine squatting over a bucket to relieve yourself at night because the latrine is locked.. haha too much info that time? Anyways such is my life.  But everyday it gets a bit easier.
So here is my schedule:
Wake up at 6:30 am
Take my bucket bath
Go to training from 8-5
Come home
Eat
Sit
Go to sleep
repeat
haha Its a bit monotonous but I am learning a lot and slowly adjusting to a life without luxeries.
Living with the host familuy has been a little tough. It is just a huge change from what I am used to back in America.  We have all been struggling a bit due to the lack of independence here (8 pm curfew during the week and 10 on the weekends) but at this point that is really the least of my concerns.   Although the pace of life here and with the host family is definitely different.  Everything happens at a much slowr pace and a lot of just sitting around occurs.  Seriously my butt has never hurt so much from just sitting before.  haha But living here has really made me appreciate all the things we have in America, from big things like electricity and plumbing, to the little things like ice water and oh what I would give for a slice of pizza!  haha But I am sure as time continues I will begin to enjoy the food and become accostumed to the dark and  taking my bucket baths..
I have learned a lot about the culture here and how to act and behave to fit in and stay safe.  There are quite a few differences and some things that may just seem crazy to us (think magic or mermaids. They are real and they exist here)  It has also been interesting to apply all the new things I have learned and the cultural  lessons are slowly making life here easier.  For example unlike in the United States politeness trumps honesty here so if you ask someone for directions and they dont know they will give you directions anyways rather than disappoint you. So be sure to ask several  people.  I am also learning Krio and can speak it fairly conversationally.  It is very similar to english as far as how it sounds.  Ex. A nem Sara  = My name is Sara and you would pronounce it "I name Sara."
Okay well my internet time is done!!
Love and miss you all!!
Sara

In Sierra Leone

(This post is written by Sara's mom - Sara does not have access to internet)

All the Peace Corp Volunteers arrived safely in Freetown on June 2nd.  It is hot, hot hot!  Cell phones were issued on Friday, June 3rd.  Sara says all the volunteers are a great group.  They stayed in a hostel the first couple of nights.  Met the Vice President of the country as well as other dignitaries (the president was sick) on Monday.  Travelled to Makeni on Tuesday.  They will receive their training while in Makeni.  All the volunteers are staying with host families.  Sara is with the Peace Corp coordinator for Sierra Leone, his wife, 2 /12 year old son, the gentleman's 2 sisters, and 2 brothers and pet monkey in a compound.  Latrine is outside.  Bugs are huge - ugh!  Curfew is 8 p.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. on weekends.  Sun goes down about 7:30 p.m. and there is no electricity in the home so no lights.  Sara has been going to bed about 10 p.m.

The volunteers are together from 8 to 5 everyday and then back to the host family's house.  Sara watched a teacher in action and is very excited to start teaching.  She learned to cook over coal today and on Sunday will learn how to wash her clothes.  So far all is going well and Sara says Peace Corp. was a good choice.

We will try to post more later as we continue to talk to Sara in Sierra Leone!