Some of the things I struggle with…
Power: The
government power, known as NEPA, does not work consistently. You never know
when it is going to come on or how long it will stay on when it does. Days have
passed without any NEPA. Fortunately the sisters have solar power, so as long
as the sun shines we can have power from about 7pm to 11pm. The fans cannot run without power. This is by
far the worst part of being without power in the middle of the day.
School: Discipline,
as mentioned in my previous post, is very hard for me to deal with. I am not
having trouble getting the children to behave when I am in front of the class. The struggle is with the form of discipline the teachers use. I have a hard time watching children being
beaten with a cane.
Food: The food
here is very different than anything I have ever eaten. We eat very few
vegetables and a lot of carbohydrates. The spices are also very different. They
use a lot of dried fish, which gives everything a very fishy taste that I am
struggling to get used to. Thankfully they do have some really good and unique fruits, so I look forward to eating more of those.
Language: I just
didn’t think this would be an issue. I have met many Nigerians in the states
and I can understand them and they understand me. This is not the case here.
The sisters are pretty easy to communicate with, but I still struggle to follow
their conversations at times. The time when language is the biggest struggle is
at school both with the teachers and students.
Heat: What can I
say about the heat…It's awful! I am constantly sweating and hot.
Daily Life: I love to stay busy and hate being bored or
having a lot of down time. In Nigeria rest time is an essential part of the day. What
do I do with all this time???? I can’t leave to compound without a sister, so
sometimes I feel a little trapped.
Homesickness: Last
but definitely not least is homesickness. I miss home so much more than
expected. I miss my family and friends. I think of you all daily. If I don’t
learn anything else from this experience I will at least have learned how lucky
I am to have such a great support system at home. I love you all!
I’m sorry if this post seems a bit negative, but I want to
be honest and this is honestly how I’m feeling. Each day is struggle. Some days
are better than others. I am hopeful that in time I will adjust.
Kaci!!!!
ReplyDeleteSo proud of you! Change in environment can be freakishly difficult but you are going to learn to love in such a beautiful way over the next year. You are brave and intelligent and you got this, it is a blink in time. Post pictures!!
Tiff (City Garden Tiff)
Thanks Tiff! You are right so very right about how adjusting to a new environment can be freakishly difficult. It been much harder than I expected. I miss all of you guys at City Garden! I hope it has been a great school year!
DeleteYou got on the plane Kaci. That is more than 99% of us would have done. I am in awe of your bravery and most of all the trust your young soul has in The Lord. Constant thoughts and prayers for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy! I appreciate all the thoughts and prayers.
DeleteHi Kaci...I tried to post last Thursday and lost the entire post...UGH! Anyway, will try to recreate now...
ReplyDeleteYour post and the things you are talking about remind me of when my sister Kanista went to Japan. Her thoughts and feelings were similar and we had a laugh about her traveling to a place where sushi is the norm and she HATED fish! Now she loves it and is my "go to" person when I want to order sushi. She also had trouble buying clothing as she was considered a giant at 5 feet and 4 inches. Go figure! After her first experience, she couldn't wait to go back and did so two more times for over a year each time. I think about this and the fact that when she DID go we didn't have texting or a "quick" (although I know it's not the case where you are) way to communicate with her when she was gone.
I know you are hearing this from numerous people...that it will get easier...that it's an adjustment period...that it's culture shock...and I hope hearing it will ease your mind and bring you some comfort. I can already see a book in the making just with the text messages you've received alone! Probably most of them from Mac!
Oh...and as for your "guardian gecko" - I think we should have a naming contest for him (or her) - how can you tell? And do they speak with a british accent like the one on TV? Just curious...
Love you sweetie! You are going to do great things in Nigeria!
Teresa
Thanks for your comment. I hope in time I come to like the food like your sister did. And that I love it here enough to want to return or that I'm at least sad to leave.
ReplyDeleteFortunately the gecko has not been back to visit me. I imagine if he/ she could speak, it would speak Igbo.