About Me
- Katy Evans
- Kathryn Evans, PCV Corps de la Paix B.P. 10537 Niamey, Niger West Africa
Sunday, August 9, 2009
One month today...
August 9th...I arrived in Niger one month ago today. Life is very different here: lots of sand, goats, naked babies and millet. I am learning how to speak Hausa, a national language, and am taking classes everyday learning about Nigerien culture, health and safety, and technical training. I am living with a host family with 26 people, goats, sheep, oxen, dogs, cats and the lot. Lots of action! I sleep outside and love looking at the stars each night. The people here are very warm and kind, and there are some characters as well. I am eating a lot of millet and corn, but I did bring peanut butter, which my host mom caught me sneaking some spoonfuls the other night after dinner. Yesterday I went shopping in a real grocery store for the first time in Niamey, the capital, where I felt slightly overwhelmed by all of the choices but was pleased that I could purchase chocolate, oranges and nuts. The pace of life is very slow and requires a lot of patience, especially this morning when a group of us had to wait two and a half bloody hours for a bus to go to Niamey. "Sai hankuri" is Hausa, meaning to have patience, so I keep this is mind throughout my days here. Next week, I will find out my site placement and will be sworn in as a volunteer on September 10th. Thank you for your support, and all of you are in my daily thoughts. I will keep everyone posted once I get my site placement.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Lady! I am so proud of you. You sound like you are having an amazing experience already. I cannot believe you have been gone only a month. I miss you so much already. I am starting the school year with an African art unit in your honor. I keep telling the kids how my best friend is in Africa and they ask me questions like, " Is she living with lions?" and, "Is your friend going to be eaten by a lion?" Mostly the have questions about lions...haha. We'll see if I can broaden their horizons a bit :)
ReplyDeleteWell, I miss you lady, keep blogging. It gives me an idea of what your life is really like there! Can't wait to get your letter either.
Love you, take care of yourself.
Sarah
Katy will be at her assigned town, Tama as of September 14, 2009. In Katy's words, Tama is "a charming village in a lush green valley" with "sweet, wonderful, patient people". She is healthy and happy and welcomes old-fashioned letters. She will officially become a Peace Corps Volunteer on September 10, 2009. Congratulations, Katy, we continue to be very proud of you. For those of you interested in sending letters/care-packages to Katy please contact me at:
ReplyDeletevlevans8@aol.com and I will respond ASAP with her info. Continue to keep Katy in your daily positive thoughts.
Love, Victoria
Hi Katy. I've thought of you everyday and wondered how you are doing. It is good to know that you will be moving to a charming village in a lush green valley with sweet, wonderful and patient people. How I would love to join you. You will be a perfect match. Sid is back to school and I'm happy to get into a routine. I've joined our church choir (280 members) and enjoyed singing sunday. With such a large group we do make a joyful noise. I'm still looking for that perfect volunteer opportunity. The boys are well and ready to celebrate their 2nd birthday on the Sept. 10th! I miss you. Love, Jeanette
ReplyDelete