Name: Caitlin
The simple life
On my way back from a run the other morning I admire the serenity of my village, which is also only possible to appreciate when you're out of earshot from my neighbors. At 6am the water pump next to my house is opened and then it's non-stop local women coming and going, sounding like they're about to slug each other and then laughing hysterically at some joke. I always stop and greet them on my way to work, and they in turn usually ask me for my scarf or water bottle or medication of some kind.
There is certainly a pressure, living in a heavily socialist culture to share and give according to your means. Since I'm white, and even worse, American, I'm assumed to have mountains of things at my disposal. This was made clear when one woman asked for my shoes, I asked her honestly, If I give them to you, what will I wear? She told me to go back to my house and get another pair. I didn't realize there was a Nike store in my house, interesting.
Everyone wants your contact information, just in case they put together enough money to come to the US. They see having a contact as one of the first steps towards achieving what many have told me to be their life long dream. Not knowing where to begin to describe the differences between our worlds I tell them I like Burkina, it's relaxed, it's beautiful, and they agree. It's true there isn't a lot to go around, but the other day I decided to go for a run until I saw camels, three minutes later, great, now what? I just kept running and for 30 minutes did not see a single person, just a straw hut on the horizon with a family taking care of each other because they're all they know in the world. Everyday is the same work, same children, same animals, same problems, but they still laugh and fight and resolve their differences to do it all again tomorrow. Life is simple and it's enough.
Of course there are still those who dream to travel and make the effort to keep that contact to the US of A. Hey, this is Moussa, Biba's cousin- what? But any connection is better than none at all. If you ever give your cell phone number you can expect 5 calls the next day just to say 'Hi! You're good, you remember me? Ok! Bye!' When a good morale is sometimes all you have to keep going I tell them yes, Moussa, how are you? I'm fine, thanks. Then they usually ask me to find tham an american wife, and I'm all for helping but that's where I draw the line.
There is certainly a pressure, living in a heavily socialist culture to share and give according to your means. Since I'm white, and even worse, American, I'm assumed to have mountains of things at my disposal. This was made clear when one woman asked for my shoes, I asked her honestly, If I give them to you, what will I wear? She told me to go back to my house and get another pair. I didn't realize there was a Nike store in my house, interesting.
Everyone wants your contact information, just in case they put together enough money to come to the US. They see having a contact as one of the first steps towards achieving what many have told me to be their life long dream. Not knowing where to begin to describe the differences between our worlds I tell them I like Burkina, it's relaxed, it's beautiful, and they agree. It's true there isn't a lot to go around, but the other day I decided to go for a run until I saw camels, three minutes later, great, now what? I just kept running and for 30 minutes did not see a single person, just a straw hut on the horizon with a family taking care of each other because they're all they know in the world. Everyday is the same work, same children, same animals, same problems, but they still laugh and fight and resolve their differences to do it all again tomorrow. Life is simple and it's enough.
Of course there are still those who dream to travel and make the effort to keep that contact to the US of A. Hey, this is Moussa, Biba's cousin- what? But any connection is better than none at all. If you ever give your cell phone number you can expect 5 calls the next day just to say 'Hi! You're good, you remember me? Ok! Bye!' When a good morale is sometimes all you have to keep going I tell them yes, Moussa, how are you? I'm fine, thanks. Then they usually ask me to find tham an american wife, and I'm all for helping but that's where I draw the line.
posted by Caitlin | 3:23 AM
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