MONKEY TALES #6
(8/14/03)
MONKEY TALES #25
(3/13/04)
MONKEY TALES #24
(3/8/04)
MONKEY TALES #23
(2/12/04)
MONKEY TALES #22
(2/5/04)
MONKEY TALES #21
(1/31/04)
MONKEY TALES #20
(12/22/03)
MONKEY TALES #19
(12/13/03)
MONKEY TALES #18
(12/6/03)
MONKEY TALES #17
(12/1/03)
MONKEY TALES #16
(11/22/03)
MONKEY TALES #15
(11/13/03)
MONKEY TALES #14
(10/24/03)
MONKEY TALES #13
(10/16/03)
MONKEY TALES #12
(10/11/03)
MONKEY TALES #11
(10/4/03)
MONKEY TALES #10
(9/27/03)
MONKEY TALES #9
(9/19/03)
MONKEY TALES #8.5
(9/13/03)
MONKEY TALES #8
(9/13/03)
MONKEY TALES #7
(8/21/03)
MONKEY TALES #5
(8/8/03)
MONKEY TALES #4
(7/29/03)
MONKEY TALES #3
(7/24/03)
MONKEY TALES #2
(6/29/03)
MONKEY TALES #1
(7/17/03)
"YO!"
(6/27/03)
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Back home in K-town after my JOYOUS
site visit and life continues to progress in a grand fashion. Nothing
like walking up the path after being away for a week and having all the
kids run at me full force before flinging themselves on my body and grasping
at any appendage they could. Melted my heart, even when they started chanting
"What did you bring us?" (candy, of course!). Good to be home
with my family again.
1. It has come to my attention that some people reading these updates
are a bit confused by the seemingly respectable and reserved Leah they
may know in real life, as opposed to the fiesty and uncontrolable Leah
who emerges after crossing international boundaries. As those of you have
have been privy to the LCLU's know, these updates are mere child's play
and very tame in comparison as to what I'm capable of :-) Allow me to
assure the "newbies" that I am in fact still the same responsible,
well-mannered person you know, but I DO tend to undergo a strange metamorphis
when traveling and living overseas...perhaps because I know I really only
have to answer to myself and therefore feel a bit more free to break out
of my standard mold. No restraints here, so I hope I neither offend nor
unnerve. (NOTE: the phrase "orgy couch" used in the last update
was coined by the previous volunteer; I simply borrowed the terminology
and am very much hoping that the name does not refer to any actual event
which happened in my soon-to-be house.)
2. One of my friends, Jessica, was hospitalized today due to the fact
that an entire array of parasites has laid claims to her intestinal organs.
Nothing severe mind you, just the typical symptoms of stabbing abdominal
pains, vomitting, and copious diarrhea. (side story: when she handed the
nurse her sample the nurse took one look at it and said, "no, we
wanted a STOOL sample"...Jessica said, "It IS a stool sample".
Good times) She'll be fine, but she's on so many medications that they
need to be able to watch her at all times. I swear, all the good stories
happen to everyone else...either that, or Africa's just biding her time
until she can hit me up hard-core with a nasty taste of what she has to
offer.
3. I attended "une ceremonie de retrait de deuil" last night,
or a party celebrating when a widow(er) ends his/her mourning period.
Hundreds of women all standing in a circle wearing pagnes (skirts) created
with a fabric signifying their neighborhood (think of it like clan tartans
in Scotland). They stand in their groups and sing, clap, sway, shout,
and booty shake in time to BLARING music. Very interesting, except for
the fact that this literally goes on for upwards of 10 consecutive hours,
intermingled with copious amounts of boozing and binge eating. All very
well and good, exceot when such parties take place a few houses down from
yours and thus compete with the roaches to keep you awake all night. Both
are highly successful, but in the name of culture, I enjoyed actually
witnessing part of one for the first time, since I've HEARD so many of
the bloody things lately.
4. Another interesting culture story. The uncle of one my my (fellow PC)
friends had his house burned last . However, the family did not believe
it happened by accident (typical African sentiment), and therefore sought
out the advice of the local nganga, or witch doctor. He said that MY father,
the neighborhood chief, sent a vampire in the night to set fire to the
house since my dad doesn't want this guy living in the neighborhood anymore.
Whether my father truly doesn't like this guy, I don't know, but the family
truly believes that he indeed sent a vampire to destroy their home (no
one was hurt). Welcome to my world.
5. This weekend is going to rock something fierce. Saturday we don't have
class (!), so I'm going "en brusse" with my family, which consists
of walking to their plantation where they've promised me that I'll be
able to pick manioc leaves, dig up the tubercule roots, burn away the
undergrowth, and plant things. I'm beyond elated, tho I'm sure I'll realize
after the first 15 minutes that I hate my life and never want to cultivate
anything more than basil on my windowsill. Sunday is Gabon's independence
day, which apparently consists of everyone attending the parade, eating,
and dissolving into a drunken stupor as quickly as possible (I'm planning
on skipping the last part. It's Corona or nothing for this girl)...the
whole neighborhood will be at chez moi stuffing their faces. It's supposed
to be pretty darn racous, so it should be special. Updates next week,
I promise.
6. In case any of you have been trying to call the last few days, Celtel's
tower in Koula Moutou has not been working. It finally kicked back in
just a few minutes ago, so hopefully all will be well from now on. Sorry
for any probs, but just call tonight if you feel so inclined. Also, I'll
let you know my Franceville PO Box as soon as the volunteer sets it up,
but she's taking her sweet time, so it's not my fault.
Alright, I'm off to trudge torward home up the hill where I have my "spa
appointment" at the pump...lather, massage, and rinse, followed by
a combing and hair braiding session compliments of my fam. God bless my
28 siblings and their deft little African hands. Also, I realized with
glee today that my favorite street vendor (the donuts will be my downfall)
now knows my order as soon as I walk up...kinda like Starbucks, yet not
at all). Happy Leah bounces to all, and know that there are things every
day which remind me of every one of you...you're never far from my mind.
Love and garlic (vampire repellent, of course!)-
Leah Ann(e)
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