As you may have gathered (since I am on the internet), I am not currently at my site. Friday afternoon, the day before we were all supposed to begin travelling to our sites, a “standfast” order was called for the provinces of Maradi and Zinder, due to some Al-Qaida kidnapping threats against Medicins Sans Frontières, which operates out east. A standfast order essentially tells us to keep a low profile and not to travel. While there were no problems in Tillaberi or Dosso, they couldn’t send just half of us to our sites, so we were instructed to remain at the training site until the situation was resolved. There were no actual incidents and the order was called merely as a precautionary measure. In these cases it is also good to be an American, because unlike the French and some other European governments, the US will not pay terrorists to have you returned, so we are low on the scale of kidnapping desirability. Peace Corps Volunteers are also less likely to have issues anyway, since we don’t really fit the profile of most Westerners. Unlike NGO workers, we’re not driving around in shiny, new Land Cruisers; we’re probably squashed in the back of a bush taxi with a bunch of Nigeriens, so our visibility is much lower.
We were all a little upset to have the site visits pushed back, but with 30 of us at the training site and no scheduled classes, the atmosphere quickly became camp-like. By the next day we had held a volleyball tournament and a talent show. We were planning a round of capture the flag, when we were informed that the Bureau had decided that we could go to the American Rec Center in Niamey since they were worried that our morale might be dropping. So, we got to enjoy an afternoon at the pool with some JICAs—the Japanese version of Peace Corps, but with a much bigger budget. (They are issued motorcycles!)
Yesterday, the standfast order was dropped, and we are now allowed to travel. Unfortunately, we lost four days in the mix, and the site visits had to be cancelled. I’m disappointed that this happened, since it means I won’t get to see where I’ll be living for the next two years until it’s time to move there. Instead, we are going straight to language immersion. I’m headed to a village in Dosso with three other trainees and a language instructor, and we’ll be expected to live and breathe in Zarma for the next two weeks. We were told to prepare for the “burial of Mr. English” upon arrival. When we return, we’ll be expected to be proficient in our first language and switch to our second. For Municipal and Community Development volunteers, this would be French, but I’m hoping I can switch to Hausa, since my French is passable.
I’ll try to update again in a few weeks, after language immersion. In the interim, feel free to write or call so that Mr. English may not truly die!
Can’t tell you how many times terrorists have ruined my day.! Sounds like the cmap atmosphere helped with the boredom of not getting to do your site vist. Thinking I will join the Japanese peace corp for the motorcycles. Or maybe you just get a good Japanese friend. As always Cassie I am impressed with yout poise and courage to be immersed in Zarma and excited about it hate to admit it but my meager Spanish is dwindling so I have a GREAT handle on English. The language is safe as long as I am here. Cool breeze today…blowing it your way. Hugs and puppy licks to you. Momma
Hey girlie,
Sorry to hear about the delays, but glad you made the best of it! Mark and I are in Minneapolis right now, killing time until the Northern Clay Center opens…hoping to get our hands on a Warren Mackenzie pot (they release about 3 a day a random times. crazy, huh?). Spent the week on Star Island, north of Bimidji (how DO you spell that?). It was a blast and we’re still readjusting to hearing planes and traffic again! Prefer life with the eagles and the loons, but oh well, all good things… Anyway, thanks for the posts. Great to hear your news. We’ll stay connected. xoxo M+K
DUDE. I’m glad they take that seriously though – and I’m glad you’re safe. I really can’t wait to hear you speak some Zarma….I’m so jealous that you’re going to be able to speak SOOOO many languages! (Chinese, French, English, Zarma, maybe Hausa too?!)
It’s too bad about the site visit – the uncertainty about where I would ultimately be living would probably drive me crazy. But you are far more chilled out and adaptable than I am so I’m sure you’ll be able to roll with the punches. And when you do finally see your new home I hope it will be worth the extra wait!
Miss you!
Addy