Getting Settled

I can’t believe I am saying this because I know I am going to regret it, BUT I have yet to be bitten by a mosquito. I haven’t used any repellents, nets etc. and have not found any bites. I know I previously mentioned they were bothersome but there are actually these other teeny tiny bugs everywhere. They are like little specs but they are all over and get into/on everything. I am pretty positive I have to have eaten a few hundred by now!

Today I got up and went to work after breakfast. I don’t believe I have ever gotten ready without a mirror before until today so that was interesting. I didn’t think to bring one but putting on makeup here would be pretty pointless as would doing my hair since it is so humid. I did discover that I have used curling/straightening irons for so long/often that I don’t need a mirror to straighten the front of my hair which was a pleasant surprise!!

At work I compiled a bunch of photos from various conferences and seminars and am working on putting captions with them so pages of the photos can be included in this booklet used for trainings. I will continue to do administrative work and do to conferences and seminars where I will be interviewing participants among other things.

Last time I went abroad I found that people seemed to be more interested in my everyday life than the big things that I did so here it goes. I have my own room and bathroom complete with shower, toilet, & sink. Before I left I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into as far as living conditions but luckily I do have electricity, running water, flushing toilet, etc. so that answers a lot of people’s questions regarding my living situation that I didn’t previously know. At this point I am only drinking bottled water that has been filtered and purified because Philip wants to have me ease into just the filtered water which is what everyone drinks here. It actually comes in these little bags with spouts so that is different. As far as food goes I have had amazing pineapple, bananas, and watermelon. I also had this really good fruit juice mixture that is from South Africa. The food has been similar in many ways to that in the states. Rice, pasta, oatmeal, bread, crackers, etc. The only difference would be the spices probably. I have had stew (Yes Mom with chicken) and it was tomato based with other vegetables in it and was a little spicy but good. Tonight we had Jala (I need to check the spelling) which is a rice dish that tasted similar to the stew. We also had chicken once again on the side and I am not dead yet so I think I will be fine for all of those who were worried.

I ended the night watching TV with all of the older kids. Like everywhere else in the world they have a bunch of American channels which is a little sad to me but what can you do. We watched the Cosby show, Friends, and a Michael Jackson video. Bed time!!