Curiosity

Osman

I was handed a letter the other day. It's from a teenage boy who lives down the street from my house. Every morning I walk past the stall where he sells cigarettes, soap, candy, etc. He sets up his stand, placing each item in the display as children pass on their way to school.

Dear Madam,

How are you? Hope everything is fine. I'm really happy and I appreciate the way you are talking to me. You make me remember some white people in my village. They were missionaries, they opened schools and churches in my village. They used to love me so much but due to the rebel war they returned back to their country. So that's why when I see you I remember them, because they promised to help but the war spoiled everything. I'm praying that Almighty God will make you succeed in anything that you are doing so that you will not forget me.

From,
Osman

The day he gave me the letter I went home and cried. I cried for all of the hopes and plans ruined by the war. I cried for the families forced to leave their homes, businesses, memories. I cried for Osman, a boy who lost everything and has now put his hope in me. Me who has nothing. Me who doesn't know how to handle the situation. I am not worthy of this.

King of the Beach

Public transportation

We took our own advice and got super adventurous this weekend - public transportation style. Over the course of the weekend we went to the beach twice, had lunch at our favorite restaurant, ate an amazing Indian dinner at a new friend's house, and went to a party at a mansion overlooking Lumley Beach. All without a car. Boo yeah! The weekend grand total:

- 8 taxis

- 4 ocadas (motorbikes)

- 4 private cars

- 2 poda podas (mini buses)

- 1 retired tour bus pretending to be a poda poda

Adventure

There will be a time when I look back on my experience in Sierra Leone and wish for more. More interaction. More conversations. More memories. More life. I will damn the days that I laid on the bed and watched movies on the laptop, the days we spent confined by the concrete walls of our compound. The me now says, “But it is hard. We don’t have a car. We don’t know where to go. It is a challenge just to communicate. We make mistakes and we look like fools.” The me then will say, “Why did you let that stop you? There was so much to see and so much to learn. Do not be afraid. Seek out adventure! Go! Live!” And so I will try.

A compliment

These sweet ladies spend their days in front of a shop in my neighborhood. They call themselves my Sierra Leone Grandmas and every time I pass I must stop for hugs, hand shakes and questions. "Ow was di work? Where is di husband? You going home now? Okay okay okay."

Yesterday was pretty normal- hugs, shakes, questions, answers, waves, etc. After I hugged one goodbye, she said, "You are looking..." and then made hand motions that looked like what I would do if I were trying to describe a football player, a bear, or something else really big and strong.

I had a confused look on my face. Her friend kindly explained, "She says you are looking fatter."

Oh, why thank you, Grandma. I would have preferred healthy or strong, but thanks anyway.

New men in my life

My sister and my best friend both went off and had perfect, amazing little dudes this summer. I am so proud of them (and the dads too, of course).

Conor and Blaine, since I had to be so far away when you were born, you are not allowed to grow any more until I get back. And when I finally see you, I get to hold you the whole time and no one else gets a chance except maybe if you won't stop crying but then when you stop I get you back. And we will love each other.