One Year Later

Actually it's been 13 months, but who's counting? Certainly not every volunteer in- country. I think it's only natural that half way into an experience like this, you look back and see what you have and have not accomplished. Also, you ask yourself, is all this really worth it? I mean, for the past year I have been violently ill, filthy, uncomfortable, and that's only maybe a third of it. With life here as hard as it is sometimes, why am I still here? Do I stay?
The answer is a resounding "YES". As crazy as this whole thing has been, look at it from an objective standpoint. What did I do this year? I was employed as an English teacher in a Mauritanian public school. I had 360 students that both drove me completely crazy, but in general, I really enjoyed. I taught my students a language that they might not ever use, but it provided a nice distraction, and at least now they understand their favorite rap songs better. Also now they know that "Hey Teacher! What's up, b%#$&?" is NOT a standard greeting in America. When school ended, we painted a huge, Andy Warhol- style world map on one of my school's outside walls and next year they other teachers and the tutrices can use it for lessons.

Apart from doing my actual job here, I have reached other... milestones. I spent New Years on a beach in Senegal, learned 2 languages (it would be a reeaaaallll stretch to say that I spoke French before I got here), and am now learning Arabic (HA!). I learned how to wear a complete, grand boubou, wrap a fulaar (head scarf) like a champion, and cook Pulaar beans. I also learned how to carry heavy things on my head, how to tell the difference between a scorpion and a scorpion horse, and how to offend someone in 3 of the 4 local languages in Lexeiba. Yes, it's really hot. Yes, I have had more than my share of intestinal diseases, and in fact may have to sprint back to the house after I finish typing this. Fine, I am covered in sun spots and my skin has aged probably 5 years in the last 1. And ok, I am dirty and look bad nearly every day that I am here. Oh, and my clothes haven't even come close to matching since Staging in Philadelphia. That being said, it's been real. I know what a sunset over the Sahara Desert looks like. I know that a camel toe is actually really gross looking. And, being in West Africa has afforded me some really killer travel opportunities. I spent the first part of July in Mali, seeing Bamako and Dogon Country, one of the most beautiful places on the planet.
So, in short, it has been worth it. As much as we complain and yell at annoying Mauritanian children and sweat and get even dirtier. As if that were humanly possible.