Last night was my first night with my home family. It would have been better if I could understand more than 15% of what they were saying to me, and if I wasn't just getting over being terribly sick (more about that later). It's me, a mom and dad, three young children, and one young teenager. From what I've gathered I am with the biggest family in the least nice house, which seems strange to me, but most of the people who take in american students are definetly on the wealthier end of the spectrum. They all seem very nice, but I slept almost all of last night, and then have been at school all day (it's lunch break and I'm at an internet cafe), so I am not sure. I live about 30 minutes from school, and it's not too bad of a walk.
A few days ago I woke up at about 4 am and was violently sick. I can honestly say that I have never been that sick before. Without giving too many details, my body was trying its best to expell any and all fluids. Use your imagination. I couldn't even hold down water for awhile. Finally, at about noon, I finally agreed to go to the hospital with Nathalie, the homestay coordinator. I was really apprehensive, but Nathalie is the is one of the most wonderful human beings I have ever met, and she was very good and letting me rest while she took care of signing me in and lending me money and helping to translate. The doctor told me that it was probably just the food. I think it was the goat meat that I ate. I am feeling sick just thinking about it.
I feel like I should explain that the hospital was not a big bustling place, it was more like a doctors office I suppose...I guess in 1991 God told this German to build a hospital in this valley of Cameroon, and by 1999, viola! L'hopital Bethesda!
Anyway, the doctor gave me some medicine, and told me to rest, and eat rice.
I feel much better now, but I am still very weak and tired. I really did sleep for about 11 hours last night. Today is the first day that I have been able to participate in a full day of class, and have been able to eat a full breakfast and lunch. I think I'll start feeling 100% very soon.
Almost all the other students families have maids and cooks and grown up siblings, and houses with wall hangings and fancy electronics. But not my house. It's mainly cement with lights that work sometimes, and a kitchen that is half inside and half out, and a mother that takes care of her 4 children, and many of their friends who frequent the house. I asked her to wake me up tomorrow so that I could help with the ... SHIT GOTTA GO!
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I am SO glad you are feeling better and on the mend. You may be eating rice the rest of the time. Did you take vitamins with you? Anyways, I think your living situation sounds great. If you want to learn about the developing middle class in a developing country, what better way than to live in it. Usually in third world countries there isn't a middle class. I think this will be more beneficial to your research and your thinking. Regarding the language, you'll get the hang of it. You have enough background in the language that once your ear gets tuned in to the slang and rapidity you'll get it. Can you imagine what it's like to understand English after just learning it in the classroom? I heard from Julian that you called and were having a good time again. That's fantastic! Learn lots.
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