Thursday, August 21, 2008
Friday, August 16, 2008-8:49 (CVT)
I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS. I’m sure there are things worthy of protest but once I put my life in perspective it is impossible to really think of crucial problems. For example, yesterday was the day of Nossa Senhora de Graca. Basically this is just another national Catholic holiday where people go to mass in the morning and soon after proceed to get far drunker than I have ever seen, even after 4 years of college. All of the trainees went to this event in a town called Chan de Tanque. Though there were many annoying drunk vagrants walking around, we all had a great time just hanging out at each other’s houses, listening to music, and talking with our Cape Verdean friends. Like I said, I have nothing to complain about. The drunk vagrants always provide a good laugh anyway. One drunken, seemingly homeless, male walked up to one of the trainees and proceeded to grope him. Definitely one of the funnier things that I’ve seen in my life but at the time I do not think the kid was laughing. Afterwards I definitely was though. Some of the newer pictures are of our time at the festa in Chan de Tanque. The other pictures are our long three hour hike to a place called Agua Belles. Agua Belles is on the northeastern coast of Cape Verde. Basically it is a beach but instead of sand it has rocks. Though that may not sound so great the view was beautiful the lack of sand was well made up for with a scenic grotto. The rest of the newer pictures are from our visit to Agua Belles.
I guess I should talk about my disposition now. Like I said, I’m doing great. Language is coming along as it should I think. Still annoying to be learning Portuguese in the training sessions and then speak only Kriolu when I get home but I’m coping with it. It is somewhat discouraging when everyone, from the current volunteers to the Cape Verdean language trainers, tells us that we will not use the Portuguese much. At this point my main motivation for learning Portuguese is to pass the final language test which allows us to finally be sworn in as volunteers. At the same time, compared to Cape Verdean citizens I do not have it that bad. Their knowledge of Portuguese or any of the main languages in the world is far more crucial than mine. Someone who can fluently speak English in the country will always be able to get a job.
Today, I realized how crucial the English language really is and how much it affects their lives. My host brother asked me if I wanted to watch a movie so I agreed. It was a Kung-Fu movie that was dubbed over in English. My younger brother (Tomé), my younger sisters (Annie and Rosangela), and my youngest brother (Simon) sat down to watch the movie. At the beginning of the movie I made a joke about how I was the only one who actually understood what was happening in the movie. They chuckled but it definitely was not a genuine laugh. We all usually joke about everything but at that moment it surely did not feel like any other joke. I realized at that point that the fact that they do not know English is often evident to them. Not only are they constantly reminded of this but they also regularly talk to me about how useless Kriolu is and how lucky I am that I know English. They are conscious of their disadvantage since they are not fluent in English, Portuguese or French. I say these three because these are the most accessible languages here besides Kriolu. I do realize how important it is that I speak English fluently. Of course I always respond by saying that I love Kriolu and I am far more excited about learning Kriolu than Portuguese, which is true. At the same time, I will no longer take my knowledge of English for granted. All those people who say that poor people are happy because they are oblivious to their position in the world are wrong. My host family lives in a semi-rural area in Cape Verde, owns cattle, and grows crops for subsistence purposes. I am in the middle of no where and they are well aware of their shortcomings. They knew about this far before I got here and so do most people here.
On other things, I am trying to think about what I want my secondary project to be. I still have no idea but I want to do something. There is one kid here who I met that just finished his service and he has started up a graphic design business. He is currently moving into his new apartment with his Cape Verdean girlfriend. Though his situation does sound pretty sweet I definitely am not thinking about staying in Cape Verde long term. I just want some other project that will hold my interest because I know that teaching English will not. Lately I’ve been reading up on starting a business in the Third World. I do not know what kind of business I would start or help others to start but its interesting stuff regardless. If anybody has any ideas let me know. Obviously an English learning center is always a possibility but who knows. Anyway people, I think it’s about that time. Passage out. If the pictures are not already up they will be coming soon. BEACH TOMORROW if it’s not raining. Will be taking pictures of that too. Peace.
I guess I should talk about my disposition now. Like I said, I’m doing great. Language is coming along as it should I think. Still annoying to be learning Portuguese in the training sessions and then speak only Kriolu when I get home but I’m coping with it. It is somewhat discouraging when everyone, from the current volunteers to the Cape Verdean language trainers, tells us that we will not use the Portuguese much. At this point my main motivation for learning Portuguese is to pass the final language test which allows us to finally be sworn in as volunteers. At the same time, compared to Cape Verdean citizens I do not have it that bad. Their knowledge of Portuguese or any of the main languages in the world is far more crucial than mine. Someone who can fluently speak English in the country will always be able to get a job.
Today, I realized how crucial the English language really is and how much it affects their lives. My host brother asked me if I wanted to watch a movie so I agreed. It was a Kung-Fu movie that was dubbed over in English. My younger brother (Tomé), my younger sisters (Annie and Rosangela), and my youngest brother (Simon) sat down to watch the movie. At the beginning of the movie I made a joke about how I was the only one who actually understood what was happening in the movie. They chuckled but it definitely was not a genuine laugh. We all usually joke about everything but at that moment it surely did not feel like any other joke. I realized at that point that the fact that they do not know English is often evident to them. Not only are they constantly reminded of this but they also regularly talk to me about how useless Kriolu is and how lucky I am that I know English. They are conscious of their disadvantage since they are not fluent in English, Portuguese or French. I say these three because these are the most accessible languages here besides Kriolu. I do realize how important it is that I speak English fluently. Of course I always respond by saying that I love Kriolu and I am far more excited about learning Kriolu than Portuguese, which is true. At the same time, I will no longer take my knowledge of English for granted. All those people who say that poor people are happy because they are oblivious to their position in the world are wrong. My host family lives in a semi-rural area in Cape Verde, owns cattle, and grows crops for subsistence purposes. I am in the middle of no where and they are well aware of their shortcomings. They knew about this far before I got here and so do most people here.
On other things, I am trying to think about what I want my secondary project to be. I still have no idea but I want to do something. There is one kid here who I met that just finished his service and he has started up a graphic design business. He is currently moving into his new apartment with his Cape Verdean girlfriend. Though his situation does sound pretty sweet I definitely am not thinking about staying in Cape Verde long term. I just want some other project that will hold my interest because I know that teaching English will not. Lately I’ve been reading up on starting a business in the Third World. I do not know what kind of business I would start or help others to start but its interesting stuff regardless. If anybody has any ideas let me know. Obviously an English learning center is always a possibility but who knows. Anyway people, I think it’s about that time. Passage out. If the pictures are not already up they will be coming soon. BEACH TOMORROW if it’s not raining. Will be taking pictures of that too. Peace.
Monday, August 18, 2008
+Buzz-Off.JPG)
Monday, August 4, 2008
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