"We need a witness to our lives. There's a billion people on the planet... I mean, what does any one life mean? ... You're saying 'Your life will not go unnoticed because I will notice it. Your life will not go unwitnessed because I will be your witness." ~ line from the movie Shall We Dance
We leave for the airport in one hour and we will be spending Friday in our layover city of Casablanca.
The hostel turned out to not be so bad. After I got over the communal shower and feigning a light sleep in a hot room where I could hear the breathing of five other young women I did not know as I lay on a thin mattress that complained loudly whenever I moved, I did ok. I had breakfast with two of the women who were from Toronto by way of England. They had traveled all over the U.S. and were on the tail end of their trip. We parted after breakfast and I went to orientation.
The group is very diverse with two Southeast Asians, one Sudanese refugee, one West Indian, three African-Americans and a Latina. Of course some of the group is going to Mali and some is going to Cambodia. I was a little disappointed that the Mali group is so small but then I found out the French was required for Mali so we just represent those of the group who had a command of the language.
We had sessions with the One World founders and Board of Advisors, who had done human rights work in Cambodia, the Congo, Sudan, Uganda, and even transnational work comparing development efforts and strategies for community rebuilding in Indonesia after the Tsunami and in New Orleans after Katrina. Fascinating stuff! Our surprise guest was Congressional Representative Charles B. Rangel who stopped by to encourage us, telling us how important the work we are doing is and how important our journey is.
The theme for the day seemed to be bearing witness and that really resonated with me. The concept that the things we experience in our lives whether they are trivial everyday issues or significant rights issues only matter in the context that someone else is there to bear witness for us. If a tree falls in a forest and no one is there to hear it...
So a part of my going to Mali is to learn and to share but also to bear witness. Sometimes I think it is only through others that we learn about ourselves...
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Bling, Bling
“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” ~ Andre Gide
How appropriate that Andre Gide is a French writer and I will be spending the next two months in a French-speaking country. Well, Andre...right about now I'm only dipping my toe in the water and it's giving me the shakes. I've been talking big game about this trip and I've been excited for a while but now on the eve of my departure I am getting freaked out about being gone for so long.
I almost feel like two days in NYC started to get me back into my groove here. I guess I never fully lost it. I stayed with Shirley's family one night and I'll see them again in Ghana at the tail end of my Mali trip. I had dinner with Michelle and watched my old vball team play tonight and returned to my hostel to find the entire room asleep. So I tripped about in the dark (who leaves suitcases in the walkway?) until I found my headlamp for Costa Rica. Am I a boyscout or what?
Unfortunately we are required to stay in the hostel tonight before orientation. One with bunk beds and random folks and bathrooms down the hall. Either I'm spoiled or I'm too old for this kind of stuff but I was simply not impressed. Especially since I have no less than 10 comfortable, clean, places I could have spent the night. Alas...I was being a team player and the other member of my team coming from North America is staying here tonight...not that we saw each other...but that's another story.
So I was at dinner with Michelle, at a table across from Matt Dillon's entourage, when I started explaining to her that I had not brought any metal jewelry with me so as not to attract attention. Everything was costume jewelry I said, wood or plastic and totally dispensable. She looked down at my watch and said what about this? I looked and it seemed to be especially sparkly and bright in that moment, bling-like even. I had totally forgotten about my watch. But it's my watch I said. Hand it over, said she. Well I need to tell time I said. You have your cell phone for that, said she. (I just bought a phone unlocked for int'l use today. Thanks Frank!) I gave her every excuse but she ended up taking my watch and buying me a cheap black plastic one at Duane Reade (a drugstore for you west coasters). I feel like I'm five years old again. :(
How appropriate that Andre Gide is a French writer and I will be spending the next two months in a French-speaking country. Well, Andre...right about now I'm only dipping my toe in the water and it's giving me the shakes. I've been talking big game about this trip and I've been excited for a while but now on the eve of my departure I am getting freaked out about being gone for so long.
I almost feel like two days in NYC started to get me back into my groove here. I guess I never fully lost it. I stayed with Shirley's family one night and I'll see them again in Ghana at the tail end of my Mali trip. I had dinner with Michelle and watched my old vball team play tonight and returned to my hostel to find the entire room asleep. So I tripped about in the dark (who leaves suitcases in the walkway?) until I found my headlamp for Costa Rica. Am I a boyscout or what?
Unfortunately we are required to stay in the hostel tonight before orientation. One with bunk beds and random folks and bathrooms down the hall. Either I'm spoiled or I'm too old for this kind of stuff but I was simply not impressed. Especially since I have no less than 10 comfortable, clean, places I could have spent the night. Alas...I was being a team player and the other member of my team coming from North America is staying here tonight...not that we saw each other...but that's another story.
So I was at dinner with Michelle, at a table across from Matt Dillon's entourage, when I started explaining to her that I had not brought any metal jewelry with me so as not to attract attention. Everything was costume jewelry I said, wood or plastic and totally dispensable. She looked down at my watch and said what about this? I looked and it seemed to be especially sparkly and bright in that moment, bling-like even. I had totally forgotten about my watch. But it's my watch I said. Hand it over, said she. Well I need to tell time I said. You have your cell phone for that, said she. (I just bought a phone unlocked for int'l use today. Thanks Frank!) I gave her every excuse but she ended up taking my watch and buying me a cheap black plastic one at Duane Reade (a drugstore for you west coasters). I feel like I'm five years old again. :(
Saturday, May 26, 2007
To Good Health
"To keep the body in good health is a duty...otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear." ~ Buddha
Before I left Los Angeles I picked up my malaria prophylaxis, which I must take every day until a week after I return, and Cipro, which I must take if I get traveler's sickness.
Add to that the multivitamins my mom insisted I pack, along with an immune booster vitamin, and a digestive tract health vitamin, all of which should be taken daily.
Add to that the allergy medication my sister sent me. She got it in Chinatown and swears by it. I hope the customs officials don't ask me what ingredients are in it. The entire label is in Chinese.
And, of course, there are all the over-the-counter drugs that are recommended. I stocked up on those too.
I wonder if all these drugs will cause undue attention at customs...
Before I left Los Angeles I picked up my malaria prophylaxis, which I must take every day until a week after I return, and Cipro, which I must take if I get traveler's sickness.
Add to that the multivitamins my mom insisted I pack, along with an immune booster vitamin, and a digestive tract health vitamin, all of which should be taken daily.
Add to that the allergy medication my sister sent me. She got it in Chinatown and swears by it. I hope the customs officials don't ask me what ingredients are in it. The entire label is in Chinese.
And, of course, there are all the over-the-counter drugs that are recommended. I stocked up on those too.
I wonder if all these drugs will cause undue attention at customs...
Monday, May 21, 2007
Pre-Travel Blues
"Friendship...is not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything." ~ Muhammad Ali
Just after graduation and all the celebrations ended and family left town I found myself exhausted and wholly unprepared to continue the packing job my mother and sister started for me. Each day I would get tired just thinking of what I had to do and end up not doing any of it. Just as I was starting to get concerned, a shot of energy appeared from nowhere.
I packed up the rest of my place, sold my furniture, and was getting ready to get out of town when my friend Taryne noticed that the shot of energy might have made me a bit soft in the head. See I was planning to drive to the Bay with my car in tow behind a rental truck. The tow bar extended for what appeared to be miles behind the truck and Taryne kindly talked me out of driving it by myself and talked herself and Puna into driving up with me. Carl lent us his truck and we returned the dangerous contraption I had rented. It really was indeed an accident waiting to happen. Thank God for friends!
When I got home I discovered my passport and visa waiting for me. (They actually did the turnaround pretty quickly!) And upon seeing my first visa I now realize why they need your passport for a visa application. (I'm glad I could provide a laugh for all of you in the know.) I attached a picture of the visa below. Stephen this one is for you!
Just after graduation and all the celebrations ended and family left town I found myself exhausted and wholly unprepared to continue the packing job my mother and sister started for me. Each day I would get tired just thinking of what I had to do and end up not doing any of it. Just as I was starting to get concerned, a shot of energy appeared from nowhere.
I packed up the rest of my place, sold my furniture, and was getting ready to get out of town when my friend Taryne noticed that the shot of energy might have made me a bit soft in the head. See I was planning to drive to the Bay with my car in tow behind a rental truck. The tow bar extended for what appeared to be miles behind the truck and Taryne kindly talked me out of driving it by myself and talked herself and Puna into driving up with me. Carl lent us his truck and we returned the dangerous contraption I had rented. It really was indeed an accident waiting to happen. Thank God for friends!
When I got home I discovered my passport and visa waiting for me. (They actually did the turnaround pretty quickly!) And upon seeing my first visa I now realize why they need your passport for a visa application. (I'm glad I could provide a laugh for all of you in the know.) I attached a picture of the visa below. Stephen this one is for you!
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Household Basics
"Housework, if you do it right, will kill you." ~ Erma Bombeck
My group has been conversing a lot more in the last few weeks as we near our trip departure. I found out that the only other girl has dropped out of the trip so I will be living alone with two guys. Oh joy!!
And I have to admit that I am worried that my housemates may subscribe to the Erma Bombeck theory of housework. We were offered the option of engaging help for the two months that we are there. For the cost of $300 total, $100 each total, $50 each per month, we will have someone four days a week to do grocery shopping, light housekeeping, cooking, and laundry - which must be done by hand. On Fridays and the weekends we will be left to our own devices. The guys weren't exactly sold on the idea but I insisted since housekeeping issues could cause problems between us upfront.
I was disappointed to find out there is a travel alert for Timbuktu for Americans. Supposedly we can still go since we are not "official Americans" (paperwork doesn't make me an official American?) but the Embassy advises against it at this time. While part of me thinks the Embassy is likely to be overly cautious, I don't want to be the idiot who ignored warnings who ends up begging for the Marines to come get me.
My group has been conversing a lot more in the last few weeks as we near our trip departure. I found out that the only other girl has dropped out of the trip so I will be living alone with two guys. Oh joy!!
And I have to admit that I am worried that my housemates may subscribe to the Erma Bombeck theory of housework. We were offered the option of engaging help for the two months that we are there. For the cost of $300 total, $100 each total, $50 each per month, we will have someone four days a week to do grocery shopping, light housekeeping, cooking, and laundry - which must be done by hand. On Fridays and the weekends we will be left to our own devices. The guys weren't exactly sold on the idea but I insisted since housekeeping issues could cause problems between us upfront.
I was disappointed to find out there is a travel alert for Timbuktu for Americans. Supposedly we can still go since we are not "official Americans" (paperwork doesn't make me an official American?) but the Embassy advises against it at this time. While part of me thinks the Embassy is likely to be overly cautious, I don't want to be the idiot who ignored warnings who ends up begging for the Marines to come get me.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
The Trouble with Visas
"If I had to live my life again, I'd make the same mistakes, only sooner." ~ Tallulah Bankhead
On the morning of my graduation at 6am, I was awakened by the ringing of the phone. Still exhausted, having only had 4 hours of sleep, I was thinking it must be one of my cousins in need of directions, but I could not place the accent at the other end of the line.
It turns out I had neglected to include my passport in my visa application packet. I say neglected, but that is not the correct word choice. See, I didn't realize that I should include my passport. (I told you that I have never been to a country that required a visa before.) In my ignorance, I simply made a copy of my passport and sent that along. It never would have occurred to me to send my passport to an unknown through the mail. While the consultate was talking I started to get very nervous thinking that I had plans to fly to Mali shortly and I had yet to secure the visa. Yikes!
Me: I'm really sorry. I didn't realize that I needed to send my passport with the application.
Consulate: (sounding peevish) Yes, the application called for a passport not a copy of a passport.
I wanted to say that the application should have stated the difference between needing to have a valid passport and needing to send a valid passport, but knew that it would do no good to irritate the man.
Me: Sir, I apologize for my neglect. I am graduating today and I have had my mind on a million different things. Will this issue be resolved if I overnight my passport to the embassy?
Consulate: (in a completely different tone of voice) Oh Congratulations!! Yes send it overnight care of the Consular Services and we will take care of the matter.
Me: Thank you very much! I apologize again for my error.
Consulate: Okay. You're welcome! Congratulations again!
Phew!
So that was how I ended up further postponing the writing of my commencement speech on the morning of my graduation day (could it have gotten anymore last minute?) until after I returned from the post office. And yes the speech went well!
On the morning of my graduation at 6am, I was awakened by the ringing of the phone. Still exhausted, having only had 4 hours of sleep, I was thinking it must be one of my cousins in need of directions, but I could not place the accent at the other end of the line.
It turns out I had neglected to include my passport in my visa application packet. I say neglected, but that is not the correct word choice. See, I didn't realize that I should include my passport. (I told you that I have never been to a country that required a visa before.) In my ignorance, I simply made a copy of my passport and sent that along. It never would have occurred to me to send my passport to an unknown through the mail. While the consultate was talking I started to get very nervous thinking that I had plans to fly to Mali shortly and I had yet to secure the visa. Yikes!
Me: I'm really sorry. I didn't realize that I needed to send my passport with the application.
Consulate: (sounding peevish) Yes, the application called for a passport not a copy of a passport.
I wanted to say that the application should have stated the difference between needing to have a valid passport and needing to send a valid passport, but knew that it would do no good to irritate the man.
Me: Sir, I apologize for my neglect. I am graduating today and I have had my mind on a million different things. Will this issue be resolved if I overnight my passport to the embassy?
Consulate: (in a completely different tone of voice) Oh Congratulations!! Yes send it overnight care of the Consular Services and we will take care of the matter.
Me: Thank you very much! I apologize again for my error.
Consulate: Okay. You're welcome! Congratulations again!
Phew!
So that was how I ended up further postponing the writing of my commencement speech on the morning of my graduation day (could it have gotten anymore last minute?) until after I returned from the post office. And yes the speech went well!
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Project Assignment
"Everything has its wonders...and I learn whatever state I am in, therein to be content." ~ Helen Keller
We received notice of our assignments today. I was really hoping to travel in northern Mali with World Education, interviewing girls who received secondary scholarships. Alas, I did not get my first choice but was assigned to Projet Jeune instead. I feel bad saying that, as all the projects are interesting and will enable me to make a difference and there is much to be done. Ultimately I plan on traveling about the region regardless of my placement, but I wouldn't be being honest if I denied that I was a little disappointed.
The good thing is that affairs at Projet Jeune are almost wholly conducted in French so I will be thoroughly steeped in the language and will likely return to or even surpass my previous fluency level. Projet Jeune translated literally means "Youth Project". I will be working with a woman on reproductive health education in the health clinic, accompanying her to educational workshops in Bamako. As always, I'll let you know more details when I have them.
We received notice of our assignments today. I was really hoping to travel in northern Mali with World Education, interviewing girls who received secondary scholarships. Alas, I did not get my first choice but was assigned to Projet Jeune instead. I feel bad saying that, as all the projects are interesting and will enable me to make a difference and there is much to be done. Ultimately I plan on traveling about the region regardless of my placement, but I wouldn't be being honest if I denied that I was a little disappointed.
The good thing is that affairs at Projet Jeune are almost wholly conducted in French so I will be thoroughly steeped in the language and will likely return to or even surpass my previous fluency level. Projet Jeune translated literally means "Youth Project". I will be working with a woman on reproductive health education in the health clinic, accompanying her to educational workshops in Bamako. As always, I'll let you know more details when I have them.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Vaccination-Induced Stupor
"I shall need to sleep three weeks on end to get rested from the rest I've had." ~ Thomas Mann
I spent Friday night and all day Saturday recuperating from the typhoid shot. It literally knocked me out. I went to sleep in the early evening on Friday after hiking in the hills by Dodger Stadium with Erika, Tasha, and Kasey. (Notice the band-aid in the picture.)
When I got in, I just thought I was just going to take a nap and then go out later, but that was not the case. And then on Saturday I was in no better shape, just very weak and exhausted. It was all I could do to get up and find something to eat in the kitchen. I slept off and on. When I was awake I was just laying there like a limp rag doll and when I was asleep it was the kind of induced stupor that would require nothing short of major demolition to rouse me. I missed Tina's Cinco de Mayo get-together and invitations to watch the boxing match Saturday night. (Sorry folks but at least it's not like I chose another event over yours.) Luckily, I felt better by Sunday and I was able to carry on with my plans to join Erika and Tasha at our second annual jaunt to the Carlsbad Street Fair. I'm glad the typhoid experience is over. I have limited time before I leave for Mali and I want to make the most of it.
I spent Friday night and all day Saturday recuperating from the typhoid shot. It literally knocked me out. I went to sleep in the early evening on Friday after hiking in the hills by Dodger Stadium with Erika, Tasha, and Kasey. (Notice the band-aid in the picture.)
When I got in, I just thought I was just going to take a nap and then go out later, but that was not the case. And then on Saturday I was in no better shape, just very weak and exhausted. It was all I could do to get up and find something to eat in the kitchen. I slept off and on. When I was awake I was just laying there like a limp rag doll and when I was asleep it was the kind of induced stupor that would require nothing short of major demolition to rouse me. I missed Tina's Cinco de Mayo get-together and invitations to watch the boxing match Saturday night. (Sorry folks but at least it's not like I chose another event over yours.) Luckily, I felt better by Sunday and I was able to carry on with my plans to join Erika and Tasha at our second annual jaunt to the Carlsbad Street Fair. I'm glad the typhoid experience is over. I have limited time before I leave for Mali and I want to make the most of it.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Vaccinations: Part II
“Easy peasy chocolate squeezy.” ~Tony Gill (10th grade Chemistry teacher on exchange from England)
I went to Student Health again this morning for my last vaccination session. They looked at my chart and asked me if I hadn’t had enough last week…Student Health has jokes!!
Tammy asked me a ton of questions about where I was going and what I would be doing. As I excitedly started talking she would say “1-2-3” and inject me every so often. She’s good!! So this time I got Typhoid and Hepatitis B 3rd series vaccinations and a Polio booster. Tammy did not go for the back of my left arm with the heavy hitter injection (Typhoid) since I still have a slightly visible bruise lingering there from my 9-day-old Yellow Fever shot. It was all over pretty quickly and I wrote down the name of this blog for her since she seemed really interested in the trip.
I went to Student Health again this morning for my last vaccination session. They looked at my chart and asked me if I hadn’t had enough last week…Student Health has jokes!!
Tammy asked me a ton of questions about where I was going and what I would be doing. As I excitedly started talking she would say “1-2-3” and inject me every so often. She’s good!! So this time I got Typhoid and Hepatitis B 3rd series vaccinations and a Polio booster. Tammy did not go for the back of my left arm with the heavy hitter injection (Typhoid) since I still have a slightly visible bruise lingering there from my 9-day-old Yellow Fever shot. It was all over pretty quickly and I wrote down the name of this blog for her since she seemed really interested in the trip.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Visas: Serious Business
"Time is too slow for those who wait..." ~Henry Van Dyke
I mailed my visa application for Mali today. I've never needed a visa for any of the international traveling I've done to date so this is new for me. Exciting stuff, except, of course, the $100 fee. Even though I just sent the paperwork out I wish I could get the visa back tomorrow. It's just one more piece of the puzzle to put in place.
When I went to take my pictures for the application, the lady told me that smiling is not allowed anymore in passport or visa pictures. Something about 9/11. The photo in my passport was taken in the 90s so it looks like a cheese convention. So I'm sitting in front of the camera with a big Kool-aid grin and she's telling me I have to stop smiling. Well, everyone who knows me knows that I always smile. And on the rare occasion when I am not smiling, it's probably best that you leave me alone. So I started thinking serious thoughts and physically pulled my cheeks toward my mouth, but every time I caught a glimpse of her waiting for me it made me laugh. Eventually I managed to stop smiling, hold back the laughter, and look somewhat serious enough for her to snap a photo that looks like I have a mouth full of food.
I mailed my visa application for Mali today. I've never needed a visa for any of the international traveling I've done to date so this is new for me. Exciting stuff, except, of course, the $100 fee. Even though I just sent the paperwork out I wish I could get the visa back tomorrow. It's just one more piece of the puzzle to put in place.
When I went to take my pictures for the application, the lady told me that smiling is not allowed anymore in passport or visa pictures. Something about 9/11. The photo in my passport was taken in the 90s so it looks like a cheese convention. So I'm sitting in front of the camera with a big Kool-aid grin and she's telling me I have to stop smiling. Well, everyone who knows me knows that I always smile. And on the rare occasion when I am not smiling, it's probably best that you leave me alone. So I started thinking serious thoughts and physically pulled my cheeks toward my mouth, but every time I caught a glimpse of her waiting for me it made me laugh. Eventually I managed to stop smiling, hold back the laughter, and look somewhat serious enough for her to snap a photo that looks like I have a mouth full of food.
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