Trip to Africa: Green Bucket Continued...

My previous post was interrupted by my "schedule". After I left this internet spot, I realized how my last words may have sounded odd. Yes, we have a professional driver taking us wherever we need to go. Yes, this is happening in a place where there is inconsistent electricity and water. But it seems strangely normal here.

Let me hit the "Green Bucket" topic before I forget. My relationship with "GB" is strained but necessary. We meet each morning with the usual stare-down. I shuffle my feet defiantly, but GB is unmoved. I could put this off if I wanted to, but eventually I must give in and make nice. You see, we have water, but not always. We have electricity, but not always (hence the long gaps between posts). And it seems these two are rarely available at the same time. So each morning I pour water into my green bucket from a big container in the bathroom. Then I commence the pouring of the water on me. It takes a few effeminate screeches and a little squirming, but eventually my body stops fighting.

In other news, we got to see a little corruption first hand. Our driver was using his cell phone while driving (illegal here) and was spotted by a police officer directing traffic. The officer saw me in the car and started hoping for a payday. She pulled us over and took the driver's license and they started talking too fast in Krio for me to understand. Then the officer directed us down the street. We pulled over and the officer opened the back passenger door and got in the car. She told us to drive her to the police station. I'm not making this up! So we got to the station and she takes the driver in. I got an explanation from one of our cousins who was in the back seat. He said she will take him in there and give him a choice. Either pay the ticket (25o,000 Leones, or about $90) after waiting at the station for several hours or pay her 15,000 Leones ($5.00) and she would let him walk.

Well, during this time Juliana called her sister to ask advice. As it turns out, her Uncle used to be a part of government and so the two of them came down to meet us at the station. As soon as Uncle Henry came in the station he started yelling at the officer, "What are you doing?! You're trying to do this to my Niece?!" The officer recognized Uncle Henry immediately and began to apologize profusely to Juliana, "I'm so sorry, ma! Please forgive me, ma!" I heard that even after we left, the officer was still begging forgiveness from Uncle Henry and asking that she keep her job.

We've been visiting Juliana's relatives all over the place. I kid you not, it seems like every time we go somewhere in the car we drive in a complete circle. But somehow we get to the other side of town. Many of the roads here are treacherous. Sometimes I wonder if we're in Freetown or on a Jeep challenge course! People are everywhere, too. During the war most of the villagers sought safety in the city and when the war ended, they stayed in the city. So it's very crowded here. The pedestrians and vehicles use the same streets and seem to lead a dance to which each knows the next move. As though it is choreographed, a pedestrian will slide slightly to the left just as our car fills the space. When I say it's crowded, I mean these people are within one inch of our car if not leaning on it! I'd say our average traveling speed in 20mph. So there isn't much danger, but it's still nerve-racking.

Our plan is to visit the orphanages next week. Juliana's mother works with another orphanage, so we will go there as well and provide some necessities for them. We can't wait to spend time there and hang out with the kids. They'll really enjoy the soccer balls. And we'll also buy some toiletries and clothes to help out.

I am so grateful for my wife. She cooks for me in the morning. Without her I would be eating the standard breakfast fare of chewy fried fish, rice, potatoes or some combination of those. We went to the market and bought eggs. When we came back I started to cook some up and Musu, basically our housekeeper and cook, watched intently as I scrambled and fried. I don't think she's ever had scrambled eggs before so I shared some with her. She really liked it and I think she'll be adding that to her family's menu.

I think it sounds weird, even as I write this, to say we have a housekeeper and a driver. But most of these people are family members or close friends. The whole family has come together to ensure we have a terrific time while we're here. Musu stays the house and cleans, cooks. No more than a few minutes elapse between the time I finish drinking my water and the time the glass has been picked up and washed. The kids are there to help as well. There is Marie, about 12, who smiles a lot and has grown quite attached to me. Then there's Messie, she's a very self-confident and outgoing 10 year-old girl who has a lot of talents and is so much fun to be around. Lastly, we have Ediesa. He's probably 8 and has a lot of energy. They have all enjoyed learning to flash the "peace sign" and give each other "dap" (fist pound). None of these people are normally at this house. The are there basically to take care of us. I feel very privileged and have enjoyed learning about each one of them.

I hope to get some pictures uploaded soon. But I'm working on an internet line that's DSL, with 10 other computers accessing it. I'll have to set aside a special time to make that happen.

I've tried to get as much as possible into this post, since I don't know the next time the power will be on. There's so much to write about that happens each day. I wish I could fit it all in! I'll finish with a few phrases I've learned... O u de do (how are you), I de go now (I'm leaving), I de come (I'll be back), I sabi Krio small-small (I know a little Krio), tenke (thank you), como fine (it's beautiful), nye ye so (here), ow de bodeh (another way of saying "How are you doing?") and my favorite so far - wo- wo! (ugly!).