It’s been a long week! On my first Friday night after being settled into my new and lovely studio apartment, you can find me in my silky kimono bathrobe hiding from the world. Today officially marks 11 days in-country and I hope the next 11 days will be as good to me as the first. I didn’t talk much about my capital city of Yamoussoukro in my last post, but I think I will have a separate post just on this place as I learn more and more about it. Right now, I know everyone’s description of it being “interesting” has matched up perfectly. With its wide, sandy roads laden in potholes and no traffic laws, you would think you would never be able to cross the street. But, I am amazed to see that the cows, chickens, pigs, and goats make it and that means I can, too.
I am greeted by children standing on the sidewalks by their open-mouthed stares and phrases like “la blanche” (literally, white person!). Yes, I am in fact a white person, but even that is a paradox that I am beginning to think about since I’m of mixed race. My students think I am a celebrity just because I come from America, both a prideful feeling and one that makes me think of some of the times when Americans have not acted in ways to fit the acclaimed high-level status of a superstar. Before arriving, I thought that the way of living in a foreign place would be to try to fit in. To a certain degree, I still stand with that, but I know that I will always be the American, la blanche, and I have to navigate that by inserting myself into the culture and people of this country, while also being true to myself. In a more cliché way: “I’m here to find myself” within these next nine months.
Speaking of students…
They are absolutely incredible! I started my first week of school observation on Monday, and by now, I have been to 20 classes of all different English levels! There will be more to come next week on my school and what I will be doing there, but it has been exhilarating to be in a classroom and to learn every minute about the dreams that students have of becoming engineers, researchers, doctors, US University goers and so much more. It is such an honor to have the chance to educate and inspire them of all the possibilities that could be ahead for them. Plus, they have welcomed me again like an Oscar Award winner every day by calling me “Miss Anna” and giggling after hearing me say good morning as I pass by struggling to find the next class. I truly belong in education.
Tonight, I tried to take it easy after a long week by cooking on my two-burner stove and making my space feel a little more like home. I tried on several occasions this week to muster up the courage to turn on the large propane tank with hopes that I would not blow up, but my weakness would kick in and I would just go to a maquis restaurant instead. Tonight, I had plenty of time to tactically breathe and cook the simplest of proteins: eggs. I must say that it was successful and easy, and will probably be the only thing I will be brave enough to cook for a few weeks. Just kidding, boiling pasta shouldn’t be too hard either…
Stay tuned for a month of excitement and discovery! Yay October!
Ivory Coast Times 