Bad Day

Wednesday April 16th 2008

10:22 AM


Some how I didn't expect this morning to be so hellish. It really was a great start.

I woke up early around 7:15 ish. Decided to go out and do some light gardening work before it got too hot. Light gardening means watering- carrying tons of water in big buckets around. I discovered that the well bucket that I let someone borrow wasn't there but instead it was in the bottom of the well. Apparently they were too lazy to fish it out. So I spent the next half half getting it out. I wasted for the next hour.

Next I felt a little hungry- usually breakfast is ready by about this time- 8:30am ish. I discovered yet again- there was no food or at least no food left. People are sneaky with it now. I saw my host father, the chief, and greeted him. He asked him if I've had breakfast yet. I told him honestly that the women said there wasn't any left. It took him literally 15 secs to get me a pittance of food from one of the women's stashes. I seriously buy them so much food and give them so much money they should be at least willing to give me a little when I'm hungry. They are always referring to me as a guest- I really don't think I should be going hungry. After this I was slightly annoyed.

Next I decide I need to get out of the village for a little bit. Take care of some business. I need to follow up with the school principal and some teachers about a few things: the scholarship program and the penpal program I am setting up with a high school french class in Downey, California. So I spend a few minutes preparing what I am going to say- looking a few words in the french dictionary. Writing down some instructions in french for them to follow and etc. Getting my papers in order and putting on some of my nicer and cleaner clothes. After all of this, what do I find? My bike has a flat tire. I realize that by the time that I fix the tire and everything- it will be really hot outside. I realize it will have to wait until tomorrow.

So the question is what am I going to do now? What can I really do? Just keep rolling with the punches. Hell drink some tea. Take a nap under the tree. Be a senegalese villager. Why bother right?


I'm still just acting like too much of an american.