So I now only have one more day at the hospital; I leave on Saturday for Lome. I am ready to be home, but I really hope to live here for an extended period of time someday. Anyway, this weekend, I got to travel up to Kara on a six hour taxi ride cramped into a civic with six other adults, two kids, and three chickens that really kept eyin me. But it was worth it, for I got to see the nation's biggest sporting event of the year. It was the championship of a week of fighting,village verse village. It was amazing. All boys in the viallages must do it to become a man, the crowd was massive, and the president was there. It was just me and Richard, the other volunteers who work at the hospital were apparently told not to go by their embassies because it was dangerous. I learnt this after. Oh so thats why there were fifteen tanks. Cool Richard. But it was one of those things I willnever forget, and very few outside Togo see.
Also, last thursday, and again today, I got to work in the orphanage. Its amazing there. The kids are so awesome, so playful and nice, yet they have literally nothing. Some have thin mats to sleep on, thats it. The rest have concrete or dirt. It is truly terrible conditions to live in, conditions that kids should not be forced to live in. I will put some pictures up when I can; I would like to do something to try to help these kids out. They are incredible; they deserve better. We played basketball all afternoon the first day, and then today I painted the wall for a while also. The kids were obsessed with seeing an American, and they fought to be the closest to me. It is amazing how little we have to do to help improve these kids' lives. All they need is for us to show up.
On anther note, the extremely nice french murse, fred, got Malaria two days ago, and is not looking great. Your prayers would be appreciated. But my next post will be from Ghana (on my 18 hour layover), wrapping the trip up!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Dooms Day
The scene could be compared to the final scene in the Departed, in which I was MarkyMark, and they were, well, everybody else in the movie. Or maybe terminator. Regardless, I woke up at the usual five am thanks to the roosters, only to find twelve lizards had invaded the homeland. I went William Wallace all over them; Grabbed a shoe and took it to the little buggers. Quick as they were, I manage to get all but one, who escaped to refuge behind the bed. I proceeded in true Roman fashion to throw the dead lizards out in front of my door as a warning to the other lizards to step off; i meant business. Then I proceeded to use a bled on pair of scrubs to stuff under the door as a barrier. And then managed to kill the last lizard- the Matt Damon of the group- the next day. Anyway, that is a normal day here. There are animals everywhere.
On another note, five french nursing students came to the hospital this week. Three (two guys, one girl) are in pediatry. They are very nice, and one of the murses speaks pretty good English. They are not with the same program I am with; they are actually employed by the hospital. But it is funny to see them struggling with the things that I hae been doing for weeks now. None of them hae placed an IV successfully, and I get to show them how to do stuff. It's fun. It makes realize how much I have been fortunate enough to learn. And, as a side story, I went out with them after work to show them the town, and one noticed I carried a knife. He said, "If a Togan man came to me and said give me your money, I would just hand it over. Im scared of them." One, I am the biggest person in this ccountry I think. I have about six inhes on any man here, and all of the men are skinny (The women are not. They are-as my predomestic violence boy Chris Brown would say- thick as can be. I guess it is cultural). Two, that statement perfectly shows why he is French, and I am American. Je pas voudrais partier, mais amerais America beaucoup.
Anyway, I got to spend thursday afternoon at the orphanage which is in a nearby village, and that was probably the most fun I hae had yet; I will post about it next time, as I also want to post about what should be one of the coolest weekends ever, but I am afraid to get my hopes up because Rihard always lets me down.
On another note, five french nursing students came to the hospital this week. Three (two guys, one girl) are in pediatry. They are very nice, and one of the murses speaks pretty good English. They are not with the same program I am with; they are actually employed by the hospital. But it is funny to see them struggling with the things that I hae been doing for weeks now. None of them hae placed an IV successfully, and I get to show them how to do stuff. It's fun. It makes realize how much I have been fortunate enough to learn. And, as a side story, I went out with them after work to show them the town, and one noticed I carried a knife. He said, "If a Togan man came to me and said give me your money, I would just hand it over. Im scared of them." One, I am the biggest person in this ccountry I think. I have about six inhes on any man here, and all of the men are skinny (The women are not. They are-as my predomestic violence boy Chris Brown would say- thick as can be. I guess it is cultural). Two, that statement perfectly shows why he is French, and I am American. Je pas voudrais partier, mais amerais America beaucoup.
Anyway, I got to spend thursday afternoon at the orphanage which is in a nearby village, and that was probably the most fun I hae had yet; I will post about it next time, as I also want to post about what should be one of the coolest weekends ever, but I am afraid to get my hopes up because Rihard always lets me down.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
When in Lome...
Please ignore the fact that Lome is actually pronounced Lomay when reading the title for the full punny effect. Anyway, I would like to be able to update you on some pretty cool happenings here, but I xould like to wait until the weekend has passed, and I already promised a bit about the culture, so here goes.
It is weird to see such a miw of Westernization and Africanness (not a word). One one hand , many people have cell phones and talk incessantly on them, they watch dubbed over American shows, ("whatchu talkin about willis" in french just isnt the same), and ask me questions about Obama and Michael Jackso, (No, I do not think is still alive. Apparently I am the lone person on this continent to hold to that belief). But on the other hand, there are people drinking unclean water, living in crowded shacks ut mosquito nets, succumbing to malaria and meningitis. Pretty much all of the aspects of culture have this form of duality.
The dress here is either very Western, with khakis, button downs, or tee shirts/ jerseys (It has taken all the effort I could muster to resist a "Yes we can" shirt), or they are more traditional in the african jumpsuitish thingies. These babies are much cooler. But it is not nearly as conservative here as I imagined, or as Zambia was, as people will be shirtless:pantless, and use the bathroom on the side of the street. Men and women. Busy streets. It's not right.
Like most of Africa, there is the national language and the local tribal language. The local language is much manlier sounding than the nasaly french and they inevitably switch to it when getting emotional. It lakes them sound much scarier.
The main food staple is acummee, a concoction of mashed up maize, very similar to Nshima we had in choma. It is delicious*. They eat anything from goat and avacados (dinner sunday) to omletes and potatoes (dinner yesterday-God sent). The home dynamics are weird. I eat every single meal by myself. The mom eats on the couch (without utensils amidst much burping) and the daughters eat in the kitchen together. I never see the dad. The dynamuics are weird.
As for religion, the country is supposedly mostly "mystical," but the Catholic and Muslim faithshave pretty strong presences. I pass people praying on the streets during the r prayer, and the Muslim society has set up an eye care clinic this week which has drawn throngs of people. The catholics have set up schools here, and I went to mass with my sisters. Lots and lots of drumming, it was cool.
Thats about all I have time for now, but if you have any questions in particular, feel free to email me.
*it's not. At all.
TIA
Michael
It is weird to see such a miw of Westernization and Africanness (not a word). One one hand , many people have cell phones and talk incessantly on them, they watch dubbed over American shows, ("whatchu talkin about willis" in french just isnt the same), and ask me questions about Obama and Michael Jackso, (No, I do not think is still alive. Apparently I am the lone person on this continent to hold to that belief). But on the other hand, there are people drinking unclean water, living in crowded shacks ut mosquito nets, succumbing to malaria and meningitis. Pretty much all of the aspects of culture have this form of duality.
The dress here is either very Western, with khakis, button downs, or tee shirts/ jerseys (It has taken all the effort I could muster to resist a "Yes we can" shirt), or they are more traditional in the african jumpsuitish thingies. These babies are much cooler. But it is not nearly as conservative here as I imagined, or as Zambia was, as people will be shirtless:pantless, and use the bathroom on the side of the street. Men and women. Busy streets. It's not right.
Like most of Africa, there is the national language and the local tribal language. The local language is much manlier sounding than the nasaly french and they inevitably switch to it when getting emotional. It lakes them sound much scarier.
The main food staple is acummee, a concoction of mashed up maize, very similar to Nshima we had in choma. It is delicious*. They eat anything from goat and avacados (dinner sunday) to omletes and potatoes (dinner yesterday-God sent). The home dynamics are weird. I eat every single meal by myself. The mom eats on the couch (without utensils amidst much burping) and the daughters eat in the kitchen together. I never see the dad. The dynamuics are weird.
As for religion, the country is supposedly mostly "mystical," but the Catholic and Muslim faithshave pretty strong presences. I pass people praying on the streets during the r prayer, and the Muslim society has set up an eye care clinic this week which has drawn throngs of people. The catholics have set up schools here, and I went to mass with my sisters. Lots and lots of drumming, it was cool.
Thats about all I have time for now, but if you have any questions in particular, feel free to email me.
*it's not. At all.
TIA
Michael
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Halfway There
I am at the halfway mark now, as my flight leaves way too early on Sunday morning; the first of August. This week has been awesome. I know the blogs have been little morose, but I love it here. If I could have some friends here, I would want to stay for months. I just need people to speak English with. But on Tuesday afternoon, there was not much work to be done, so I spent the entire day playing with a little boy and girl, sibllings. The boy was around two, the girl around six, and they were the funniest pair ever, especially the boy. He would walk up to me, dancing to his own music that consisted of the words, "eh" and "yovo," faintly remenisentof the classic "go shawty" tune. And then on Thursday night, my sisters and I went down to a bar with some of their friends, which was good, seeing as how my coke (first one since I have been here, a full liter of deliciousness) probably doubled my calorie content for the day, one that consisted of the usual bread and tea for breakfast, then peas and onions for lunch, and rice for dinner. So the coke helped. If the scale at the hospital is correct, then I have lost about seven pounds already, which is a little much. But anyway, going to the bar was awesome. It was on the second story, open air, and had a great view of the city and all the goings on at night. I realized I havent really described the city at all yet, so I am going to do my best.
There is not any city to which I can accurately compare, but the closest I can think of is Athens, in that in the main part of the city (around the Acropolis and Hadrians arch in Athens), it is very very packed in and crowded, full of shops and homes alike. Also, it is sprawled out on three main hills, like Athens, although much much smaller. The homes around here are very small, usually of a room or two made of wood or concrete. Then outside the main part lies the "residential" are, which is where I live. It is still pretty crowded, but all the houses are walled in so the walls are connecting, but there is a little more room inside the wall. The houses are a little bigger here. There is a small stream that runs through the main part that is used for their water, but it is full of trash and truly disgusting. The whole city is not very big, about the size of the Binghampton area in Memphis, maybe a tad bigger, (I can walk anywhere I need to go), yet it has a population of 600000. What the stink. I guessed about 75000. I was very wrong. The city is also very full of goats, chickens, and lizards. They are everywhere, just wandering around. The roosters crow all night and morning, and nothing is scarier than a goat baahing at you as you walk by without noticing it's head out of the bushes. The market here is very different from the one in Zambia. Here it is all clothes, cigs, food, and neccesities, as opposed to the handcarved cool african stuff. So don't expect any cool gifts, as you wont be getting them. There just arent any. Unles you want a fine young goat.
Three new volunteers are coming this weekend, tzo girls from Switzerland and a girl from Italy; so that will be cool. Hopefully they speak English. They are working in an orphanage here, and I might try to join them on the last week, since I feel like I would be ablt to do more helping kids there. We'll see. At the very least, they will bring the Yovo count from two to five (I heard there is an older French woman here. That is how rare we are; they have a yovo count. The American embassy brags that Togo has had two Americans this year. I am one.)
On a more personal level , I read a quote that reads "religion is what you do with your solitude;" I thought that was awesome. It is not about our showy self righteousness and prideful legalism, is about our delight in the Lord. We should not sin not because of the consequences, but because of the cost it puts on God (read anything by Keller and he will explain this so much better); But iHave oodles of solitude here, so that is solething I have been thinking about. And on a similar note, I read Job yesterday, and verse five of chapter twelve says, "Men at ease have contempt for misfortune as the fate of those whose feet are slipping." Too often, we tell ourselves that those who live in desolate conditions have somehow earned their conditions to make ourselves feel better about not helping like we should. But Christians are called to empathy, no matter the pasts of those who are in need. The Psalms continually talk about how the righteous do not just "not sin," but give freely and generously to those in need. That has been a calling of mine on this trip. Sure, a lot of the poverty here could be easily avoided if the people cancelled their cell phones and bought food, but that does not mean I should not be called to serve. Thoughts?
Anyway, I will try to come back soon and write a little about the culture here. It's pretty awesome. Final comment- someone here has FINALLY heard of Memphis. When he askedwhere I was from, I said Memphis, and he said, "like africa..." Because this was all in French, I thought I misunderstood, and he said, "full of black!" I laughed uncontrollably. Whatup Mtown!
TIA
Michael
trivia- on tuesday I was squirted by three types of body fluid in the span of five minutes. Who can guess them?
There is not any city to which I can accurately compare, but the closest I can think of is Athens, in that in the main part of the city (around the Acropolis and Hadrians arch in Athens), it is very very packed in and crowded, full of shops and homes alike. Also, it is sprawled out on three main hills, like Athens, although much much smaller. The homes around here are very small, usually of a room or two made of wood or concrete. Then outside the main part lies the "residential" are, which is where I live. It is still pretty crowded, but all the houses are walled in so the walls are connecting, but there is a little more room inside the wall. The houses are a little bigger here. There is a small stream that runs through the main part that is used for their water, but it is full of trash and truly disgusting. The whole city is not very big, about the size of the Binghampton area in Memphis, maybe a tad bigger, (I can walk anywhere I need to go), yet it has a population of 600000. What the stink. I guessed about 75000. I was very wrong. The city is also very full of goats, chickens, and lizards. They are everywhere, just wandering around. The roosters crow all night and morning, and nothing is scarier than a goat baahing at you as you walk by without noticing it's head out of the bushes. The market here is very different from the one in Zambia. Here it is all clothes, cigs, food, and neccesities, as opposed to the handcarved cool african stuff. So don't expect any cool gifts, as you wont be getting them. There just arent any. Unles you want a fine young goat.
Three new volunteers are coming this weekend, tzo girls from Switzerland and a girl from Italy; so that will be cool. Hopefully they speak English. They are working in an orphanage here, and I might try to join them on the last week, since I feel like I would be ablt to do more helping kids there. We'll see. At the very least, they will bring the Yovo count from two to five (I heard there is an older French woman here. That is how rare we are; they have a yovo count. The American embassy brags that Togo has had two Americans this year. I am one.)
On a more personal level , I read a quote that reads "religion is what you do with your solitude;" I thought that was awesome. It is not about our showy self righteousness and prideful legalism, is about our delight in the Lord. We should not sin not because of the consequences, but because of the cost it puts on God (read anything by Keller and he will explain this so much better); But iHave oodles of solitude here, so that is solething I have been thinking about. And on a similar note, I read Job yesterday, and verse five of chapter twelve says, "Men at ease have contempt for misfortune as the fate of those whose feet are slipping." Too often, we tell ourselves that those who live in desolate conditions have somehow earned their conditions to make ourselves feel better about not helping like we should. But Christians are called to empathy, no matter the pasts of those who are in need. The Psalms continually talk about how the righteous do not just "not sin," but give freely and generously to those in need. That has been a calling of mine on this trip. Sure, a lot of the poverty here could be easily avoided if the people cancelled their cell phones and bought food, but that does not mean I should not be called to serve. Thoughts?
Anyway, I will try to come back soon and write a little about the culture here. It's pretty awesome. Final comment- someone here has FINALLY heard of Memphis. When he askedwhere I was from, I said Memphis, and he said, "like africa..." Because this was all in French, I thought I misunderstood, and he said, "full of black!" I laughed uncontrollably. Whatup Mtown!
TIA
Michael
trivia- on tuesday I was squirted by three types of body fluid in the span of five minutes. Who can guess them?
Monday, July 12, 2010
Scrubs and Chacos
Yes I wear Chacos with my scrubs. It is the best feeling ever. I can do this because the hospital has absolutely no rules governing sanitation. It is a weird set up. It looks more like a couple of run down houses in what used to be some pretty gardens, now run down as well into a tangle of weeds and even some crops. The pediatrics building looks ok on the outside, a rectangled mass of gray cement with occasional windows. But on the inside, you see that most of the square footage is taken by a courtyard and a roofed area surrounding it with benches and blankets where visitors sleep. The functional part of the hospital ends up being a hollow recantgle with three malaria rooms, a malnourishment room, and one miscellaneous room for things such as broken bones and snakebites. There are anywhere from six to twelve patients in a room, but the rooms would be considered singles or doubles in America.
The environment leaves the hospital very unsanitary, with the open air rooms, overcrowding, flies, and old food everywhere. The only things in the rooms besides the patients and their belongings are the bedframes and a mattress or foam to sleep on. They sleep on top of their mothers clothing wraps. There are also some back rooms that are the offices and the "operating room," although all they do is give injections and IV's. The only kind of diagnostic test they have is taking temperatures.
My biggest problem, however, is with the payment. The patients have to buy everything- medicine, thermometers, syringes, cotton- all before they are treated. And if they cannot afford it, they are not treated. Even those that are seen only after they have spent days scrounging up money, so the treatment is often too late. That is why the death rate is so high. And I am fairly condfident that Malarone, the malaria medicine I take, can not only prevent but treat it. It seems like it should be that easy.
Also, the doctors sit around so much. The daily routine goes like this. Work starts at seven; I show up before so I can change into my scrubs. Doctors stroll in around seven forty five. Around eight, the doctors do one round of all the patients. Two doctors and a nurse go to each patient, take his or her temp, and prescribe medicine. This takes two doctors, plus the nurse who pushes the cart, which the doctors refuse to touch. This takes two hours. Then they sit around till eleven, and then start treatment, giving shots and such. At twelve, they leave until three for lunch and a rest. Repeat rounds, while tzo additional doctors treat the patients. Home by five fifteen. I think an American doctor could do all of their wirk in three hours.
Now I am going to try to restrain myself from a William Schrieber esque rant about European/African works ethics (those who went on the missions trip tO Greece zith me have heard this rant), but it is ridiculous. They work short hours, take numerous breaks, are overstaffed, and complain about their job. Walking around town, people just sit around doing nothing. When David, who I will talk more about later, told me he wanted to go to America but coulndt afford the VISA and passport (his second time to ask for money) I told him to get a job. He cried. He is 18; and he cried over getting a job. That is why their country is so underdeveloped. Why the American embassy is the biggest building in Togo (it is- I love America). Because they just sit around. Yes I realize that there are not a multitude of open jobs, but still. I fully plan on spending as much time with my family as I can when I have a job, but when I am at work, I work. Kids should not have to suffer because their doctors are lazy. That turned into a slight rant. I am sorry.
TIA
Michael
The environment leaves the hospital very unsanitary, with the open air rooms, overcrowding, flies, and old food everywhere. The only things in the rooms besides the patients and their belongings are the bedframes and a mattress or foam to sleep on. They sleep on top of their mothers clothing wraps. There are also some back rooms that are the offices and the "operating room," although all they do is give injections and IV's. The only kind of diagnostic test they have is taking temperatures.
My biggest problem, however, is with the payment. The patients have to buy everything- medicine, thermometers, syringes, cotton- all before they are treated. And if they cannot afford it, they are not treated. Even those that are seen only after they have spent days scrounging up money, so the treatment is often too late. That is why the death rate is so high. And I am fairly condfident that Malarone, the malaria medicine I take, can not only prevent but treat it. It seems like it should be that easy.
Also, the doctors sit around so much. The daily routine goes like this. Work starts at seven; I show up before so I can change into my scrubs. Doctors stroll in around seven forty five. Around eight, the doctors do one round of all the patients. Two doctors and a nurse go to each patient, take his or her temp, and prescribe medicine. This takes two doctors, plus the nurse who pushes the cart, which the doctors refuse to touch. This takes two hours. Then they sit around till eleven, and then start treatment, giving shots and such. At twelve, they leave until three for lunch and a rest. Repeat rounds, while tzo additional doctors treat the patients. Home by five fifteen. I think an American doctor could do all of their wirk in three hours.
Now I am going to try to restrain myself from a William Schrieber esque rant about European/African works ethics (those who went on the missions trip tO Greece zith me have heard this rant), but it is ridiculous. They work short hours, take numerous breaks, are overstaffed, and complain about their job. Walking around town, people just sit around doing nothing. When David, who I will talk more about later, told me he wanted to go to America but coulndt afford the VISA and passport (his second time to ask for money) I told him to get a job. He cried. He is 18; and he cried over getting a job. That is why their country is so underdeveloped. Why the American embassy is the biggest building in Togo (it is- I love America). Because they just sit around. Yes I realize that there are not a multitude of open jobs, but still. I fully plan on spending as much time with my family as I can when I have a job, but when I am at work, I work. Kids should not have to suffer because their doctors are lazy. That turned into a slight rant. I am sorry.
TIA
Michael
Friday, July 9, 2010
Highs and Lows
I hqve finished my first work week, so I wanted to gie you my highs and lows for the week, and then some random tidbits of ommentary. Also, the keyboards are in the Frenh format, and do not work well, also like the Frenh, so forgie me for typos.
Highs
1. I gave my first injetion today! It was sadly exhiliarating; I know I am supposed to be a doctor. It got me way too excited. And, as a plus, the baby hardly ried when I darted his thigh. Sore. And I have found I really loe pediatrics. And then I proceeded to give three more injections and, a little harder, place an IV. Baby's veins are so hard to find! But it took me two sticks, which I think is decent considering the doctor ahead of me took eight.
2. I went to the market and bought toothpaste all by myself, in french! I asked for it, "dentifrice?" and then how muh it costs, "cobien est-ce cque ça fait?3 and after he told me the price, three hundred CFA, about 80 cents, I bought it! This is good for two reasons. One, I did it myself. Two, I hae toothpaste now. Oops.
Low
That I know of, three babies hae died in the lst two days. I was in the room, wathing a baby when it died. It was so sad to see the pain and anguish of the sreaming, wailing mother as malaria took her baby. That is why I want to work here someday. I also pray that that is something I never get used to as a doctor. It should be my motivation.
Commentary
As Moran, my host sister, sat wathing MTV, Togo edition, the "top ten" inluded the followig gems: "Goodies" by Ciara (Wow... just wow...) "Caught Up" by Usher (I then sang it to her, word for word, thanks to the eighth grade rides to shool in prices car. Most communication I have had with them yet) and MMMbop by Hanson (Comebak in the making? We an only dream.) I also heard the dj mention lebron, wade, and bosh. I havent heard anything over here, so will someone please onfirm that they are now Grizzlies?
I know the Netherlands are playing Spain, but could someone gie me a little info on the semis? And maybe a cardinals update as well?
Motorcycle taxis are so fun. And extremely cheap. If ever in Africa, take one.
As any girl my age will tell you, black babies are so muh cuter than white babies. Fact. Especially in size two nikes.
Book update- I hae read the Curious Inident of the dog in the nightime (Read it now); Long Way Gone (good, abrupt ending), Counterfeit Gods (Keller is amazing) and Not that You Asked (funny, but not great). I am going to run out soon.
Also, I hae worn two shirts, one pair of scrubs, pants, shorts, and socks. Africa rocks.
But Wait! Bonus duel high/Low!
My taxi ride here. High because I saw two hours of the beautiful country here. Low, because I spent those two hours in a small, small car with seven people, forcing me to straddle the middle onsole between driver and passenger, one leg in each foothole. And did I mention it was a stickshift?
One last request. If anyone has any passages of the Old Testament that I need to but probably haent read, tell me. Oh and look at Psalms 4:8. Tell me God isnt speaking to me there.
Thanks!
TIA
Michael
Highs
1. I gave my first injetion today! It was sadly exhiliarating; I know I am supposed to be a doctor. It got me way too excited. And, as a plus, the baby hardly ried when I darted his thigh. Sore. And I have found I really loe pediatrics. And then I proceeded to give three more injections and, a little harder, place an IV. Baby's veins are so hard to find! But it took me two sticks, which I think is decent considering the doctor ahead of me took eight.
2. I went to the market and bought toothpaste all by myself, in french! I asked for it, "dentifrice?" and then how muh it costs, "cobien est-ce cque ça fait?3 and after he told me the price, three hundred CFA, about 80 cents, I bought it! This is good for two reasons. One, I did it myself. Two, I hae toothpaste now. Oops.
Low
That I know of, three babies hae died in the lst two days. I was in the room, wathing a baby when it died. It was so sad to see the pain and anguish of the sreaming, wailing mother as malaria took her baby. That is why I want to work here someday. I also pray that that is something I never get used to as a doctor. It should be my motivation.
Commentary
As Moran, my host sister, sat wathing MTV, Togo edition, the "top ten" inluded the followig gems: "Goodies" by Ciara (Wow... just wow...) "Caught Up" by Usher (I then sang it to her, word for word, thanks to the eighth grade rides to shool in prices car. Most communication I have had with them yet) and MMMbop by Hanson (Comebak in the making? We an only dream.) I also heard the dj mention lebron, wade, and bosh. I havent heard anything over here, so will someone please onfirm that they are now Grizzlies?
I know the Netherlands are playing Spain, but could someone gie me a little info on the semis? And maybe a cardinals update as well?
Motorcycle taxis are so fun. And extremely cheap. If ever in Africa, take one.
As any girl my age will tell you, black babies are so muh cuter than white babies. Fact. Especially in size two nikes.
Book update- I hae read the Curious Inident of the dog in the nightime (Read it now); Long Way Gone (good, abrupt ending), Counterfeit Gods (Keller is amazing) and Not that You Asked (funny, but not great). I am going to run out soon.
Also, I hae worn two shirts, one pair of scrubs, pants, shorts, and socks. Africa rocks.
But Wait! Bonus duel high/Low!
My taxi ride here. High because I saw two hours of the beautiful country here. Low, because I spent those two hours in a small, small car with seven people, forcing me to straddle the middle onsole between driver and passenger, one leg in each foothole. And did I mention it was a stickshift?
One last request. If anyone has any passages of the Old Testament that I need to but probably haent read, tell me. Oh and look at Psalms 4:8. Tell me God isnt speaking to me there.
Thanks!
TIA
Michael
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Im White. W-H-I-T...............E
In case you were unable to notice, I am white. And that has never been more apparent than in Togo. In the Ghana airport, there were plenty whities; I just happened to be the only one get onthe plane to Togo. People here just stare and point blantantly, and, occasionally, an extremely cute child will yell "Yovo" which is what they (rudely) call me. I have no problem with this except the attention makes me fear a little for safety.
But I am in Atakpame now, and life is pretty decent. My family is wonderful; unfortunately, I can hardly communicate with them, xcept what little French I have learned. But my room is great by their standards- A bed that is regrettably about 5.5 feet long, a mosquito net, a chair, and a table. The bathroom is outside, where my assurance of "running water" tests the limits of truth. True, there is running water, but only in the form of one tap that functions as shower (with bucket) and the method of flushing the toilet (again, bucket). But I do not mind that. Food has been tough, as I am yet to recognize a single meat. But dinner last night was deliciously normal, so I am managing to down it while holding back my gag reflex. I would describe it to you but I have no idea what I am eating.
Unfortunately, I am going to tear through my reading list, there is so much down time, even at the hospital. So the last week will be boring with nothing to read. But that will be the last week, so I can deal/.
The hospital work is hit or miss, depending on the doctors there. I am working (perhaps too strong qa word) in pediatrics ward (also a strong word). I basically stand and watch as about 100 patients are treated in four rooms, all for malaria. It is heartbreaking to see these kids so close to death, too sick to even cry when the doctor messes up a spinal tap. My main contribution is making kids laugh when they see me (again- white). But one doctor is teaching me to give shots and IVs which is cool. So I am excited about that, but it is hard to learn when they speak French.
Thanks for your prayers, keep them coming. If you want specifics,^please pray for the kids, that I sleep (I have only really slept one night), and that I make some sort of impact. Thanks
TIA
Michael
PS- I dreampt about dunking the night I did sleep, so maybe this place will rub off on me?
But I am in Atakpame now, and life is pretty decent. My family is wonderful; unfortunately, I can hardly communicate with them, xcept what little French I have learned. But my room is great by their standards- A bed that is regrettably about 5.5 feet long, a mosquito net, a chair, and a table. The bathroom is outside, where my assurance of "running water" tests the limits of truth. True, there is running water, but only in the form of one tap that functions as shower (with bucket) and the method of flushing the toilet (again, bucket). But I do not mind that. Food has been tough, as I am yet to recognize a single meat. But dinner last night was deliciously normal, so I am managing to down it while holding back my gag reflex. I would describe it to you but I have no idea what I am eating.
Unfortunately, I am going to tear through my reading list, there is so much down time, even at the hospital. So the last week will be boring with nothing to read. But that will be the last week, so I can deal/.
The hospital work is hit or miss, depending on the doctors there. I am working (perhaps too strong qa word) in pediatrics ward (also a strong word). I basically stand and watch as about 100 patients are treated in four rooms, all for malaria. It is heartbreaking to see these kids so close to death, too sick to even cry when the doctor messes up a spinal tap. My main contribution is making kids laugh when they see me (again- white). But one doctor is teaching me to give shots and IVs which is cool. So I am excited about that, but it is hard to learn when they speak French.
Thanks for your prayers, keep them coming. If you want specifics,^please pray for the kids, that I sleep (I have only really slept one night), and that I make some sort of impact. Thanks
TIA
Michael
PS- I dreampt about dunking the night I did sleep, so maybe this place will rub off on me?
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Maybe it will work now?
Well I am officially in Africa, however still only in Ghana and not yet in Togo. I had the wonderful privilege of sitting next to a very nice man named Kwabena on the way over. Very nice, very large. very large. Let's just say he didn't realize the armrest is the supposed border between our two bodies. For twelve hours. Nerves have started to ease a little, I think just being on a computer helps. But the trip has been trying so far, as two flights have been delayed (out of two), the malaria pills are making me pretty queasy, and I just don't feel like eating although it has been since dinner last night in the Memphis airport when I last ate. Also, trying to catch a transit through Ghana is a disaster. They honestly have no idea what they are doing, and I am pretty sure I bribed someone at some point. I don't even know. All I know is that I didn't pay the transit VISA fee, followed some guy around, and still have my checked luggage because I can't check into my next flight for several hours. Also a little nerve-racking is the fact that even here people still barely know what Togo is. The flight is forty minutes to the capital, how is it that no one knows it? Is it Narnia or something? I think I might have to get to gate nine and three quarters to get there. I am just ready to make contact with the guy who is picking me up, because at that point at least I will know what is going on. No matter what is ahead, I just wish I knew. I may or may not have spent the last forty minutes in a bathroom stall, sitting and wasting time so I didn't have to face this airport. It's no Johannesburg, trust me. It is small, dingy, a little smelly, and a lot scary. But that's just me being nervous. As you can see, I am ready to get there and start doing what I came here for. I truly believe the traveling will be the worst part. Keep praying for me, I think you can tell I need it. Not nearly proud enough not to ask for that right now. Hopefully my next update will be from Akapame, Togo!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Fireworks Show
Because I have nothing to do right now, I wanted to put up the fireworks show from last night. This was at Victory Ranch, my beloved place of work. The thing that makes me saddest about going to Togo is missing the last weeks of summer camp, but oh well. At least my last night in USA was the Fourth of July party at the ranch. The video is only a short segment of the whole show, but the ending is truly phenomenal. I had to share it. Watch it, trust me.
Most Likely
So I, despite my resistance to do so, have started a blog for my trip. I feel like this will be the easiest way to update people, and that way emails back and forth won't be sometimes personal, sometime mass-disseminated. Yes, the title is cheesy. I lack that creative bone, and that one was just too easy (although I did resist my sister-in-law's "TO-GO! TO-GO! TO-GO!" suggestion).
Most Likely. That title comes from a text a got from my brother this morning as I told him I finally started to get a little nervous. I hadn't felt an ounce of nerves from the time I decided to go back around spring break until the moment I was awoken by my cell phone ringing (love you Didaddy). But I awoke nervous. I guess just because it is the day of, and I leave in several hours, but I have spent all morning with some serious butterflies. But back to the title. Here is what my text said, "It is going to be a life changing trip. Most likely in a good way." Yep. Most likely. It is probably going to be amazing, probably alter my life in some ways. But I am still nervous. So I decided to use The Google and find a passage that would inspire me in some awesome and real way before I left. Fail. I am terrible at using The Internets sometimes. But I then decided to read a little about Abram when he was called by the Lord, because that is kinda how I feel. All I know about where I am going is that I am getting picked up at the airport, put in a family's (who probably doesn't speak English) house, and working in a local hospital. That's it. I think that that uncertainty is why I have become so nervous. But looking at this passage, there really isn't that much there about Abram's nerves, deliberations, fears. He just goes. That is simultaneously extremely comforting and scary to me. I want something tangible to hold onto, but I need to just go and trust in God. Which leads me to my next passage, Psalm 118:6-8 (Betcha thought I was going to say Psalm 100, didn't ya? Well NO!): "The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper. It is better to take refuge in the Lord that to trust in man." Well, that passage is going to be getting me through the day today. My bag is packed, it's getting pretty close to game time. Hopefully I won't be living off the granola bars in my bag. As long as there isn't any Nshima like last time I was in Africa, I think I can handle the month. I will do my best to keep updating this, no promises. Thanks for all the prayers, keep bringing them.
And in honor of my brother (and to fill time until I leave), I am putting my reading list for the month, let's see how many I actually get through.
A Long Way Gone: Always wanted to read it, seemed appropriate for the trip
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime: I was fascinated by Look Me in the Eye, so I think I will like this.
Kite Runner: Heard it's good? Whatever. I guess we will see.
Counterfeit Gods: Halfway thought it. Awesome.
Three Cups of Tea: Also seemed appropriate. If I want to have any chance of coming back a peacecorps hippie, it's a must. I hear it is amazing though.
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich: No idea. Next.
The Reason for God: My reread of the trip. Too good not to read at least twice.
Not that You Asked: Wanted something with short essays/sections to keep me entertained. Looked good.
And that's it. Way too long of a first post; I really doubt anyone has made it this far. I kick puppies for fun. Did anyone read that?
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