RANDOM AFRICA MOMENT OF THE DAY:
after being here for about a month somtimes i think im used to everything and i forget that im in an incredibly different place. however, i have moments that bring me back to the reality that im in africa and people just do things differently.
today i as walking to the bathroom at the training center, in which there are two normal western toilet stalls complete with toilet paper, i saw a janitor/cleaner lady enter the bathroom just before i got there. i knew that senegalese dont use toilet paper (they just use water and their left hand to rinse...eating with your left hand is a huge no no b/c of this), but this situation still made me laugh: one stall was occupied when the cleaning lady got there, so naturally she went to the stall that was open. however, i expected her to enter the stall like an american would do, so i turn to start looking in the mirror or do something to occupy my time. stupid me. the woman simply lifted up her skirt and sat down on the toilet with the door wide open. that was shock number one. so she starts tinkling, and i try to act like it didn't phase me. i don't think i did a very good job acting, but it didn't matter cuz then she picked up an empty bottle of bleach that was by the toilet and hands it to me and says "un peu de l'eau" (a little water) in a rather commanding way. that was shock number 2. i wish i could tell you what was going through my mind at that point in time, but i don't think anything was going through my mind at all. it was pretty much a total blank and disbelief. i'd like to think that i recovered quickly. anyway, i simply grabbed the bottle and started filling it up in the sink. after a few seconds of filling the bottle up, she goes "c'est bon?" (it's good?). at that point my brain started working again i can definitely tell you waht i was thinking then: "how the hell am i supposed to know lady?!? i'm white, i use toilet paper! and by the way, thanks for shutting the door, and i don't think i saw you pull down your underwear....do you always go commando?!?" and then i had to try really really hard to suppress the laughter that was about to burst out.
after having a good laugh about it with some fellow trainees, i just came to the conclusion, yep, i'm in africa, random stuff will happen.
after being here for about a month somtimes i think im used to everything and i forget that im in an incredibly different place. however, i have moments that bring me back to the reality that im in africa and people just do things differently.
today i as walking to the bathroom at the training center, in which there are two normal western toilet stalls complete with toilet paper, i saw a janitor/cleaner lady enter the bathroom just before i got there. i knew that senegalese dont use toilet paper (they just use water and their left hand to rinse...eating with your left hand is a huge no no b/c of this), but this situation still made me laugh: one stall was occupied when the cleaning lady got there, so naturally she went to the stall that was open. however, i expected her to enter the stall like an american would do, so i turn to start looking in the mirror or do something to occupy my time. stupid me. the woman simply lifted up her skirt and sat down on the toilet with the door wide open. that was shock number one. so she starts tinkling, and i try to act like it didn't phase me. i don't think i did a very good job acting, but it didn't matter cuz then she picked up an empty bottle of bleach that was by the toilet and hands it to me and says "un peu de l'eau" (a little water) in a rather commanding way. that was shock number 2. i wish i could tell you what was going through my mind at that point in time, but i don't think anything was going through my mind at all. it was pretty much a total blank and disbelief. i'd like to think that i recovered quickly. anyway, i simply grabbed the bottle and started filling it up in the sink. after a few seconds of filling the bottle up, she goes "c'est bon?" (it's good?). at that point my brain started working again i can definitely tell you waht i was thinking then: "how the hell am i supposed to know lady?!? i'm white, i use toilet paper! and by the way, thanks for shutting the door, and i don't think i saw you pull down your underwear....do you always go commando?!?" and then i had to try really really hard to suppress the laughter that was about to burst out.
after having a good laugh about it with some fellow trainees, i just came to the conclusion, yep, i'm in africa, random stuff will happen.
posted by Sandy at
11:37 AM
3 Comments:
Hi Sandy,
I am still following your journal and see where they added your BLOG to www.peacecorpsjournals.com Your description here brought back so many memories about how "familiar" and unassuming Africans are with themselves. I cannot tell you how many times a complete stranger would just hand me their baby to hold while they did whatever they needed to do. I am sure it is much more reserved in Senegal than it was in Togo. But, you can get used to seeing a lot of nudity amoung other things.
Take care,
Ron Ison
By
Anonymous, at 10:31 AM
Dizzle!!!
So Vanessa came up to the big city last weekend for a visit and it was a blast. We did some touristy things which was good bc I never do them when I am here. My fam is getting ready to head up for for thanksgiving. Also Mincks is coming next weekend and of course she wants to see a show...remember when we went to phantom and the line "turn your head" and how it was so awkward on stage???? So great. Classic. Anywho, not sure exactly which show we will see.
Miss you tons!!!
love, Ellen
By
Anonymous, at 4:29 PM
Sandy,
Reminds me of my favorite phrase from my favorite movie, Risky Business, sometimes you just have to say " What the F...!" Maybe Joel, Rebecca and the folks from Friends, as well as yourself as a business development expert, could exploit the obvious world wide appeal of commando life into a future business leaders of the world opportunity!
Peace
Tim
By
Anonymous, at 5:08 PM
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