Carnival

A group of the more intrepid volunteers made a trip to Carnival in Sao Nicolau. I was fortunate enough to join these brave souls as they embarked on a glitter filled journey through a land of wonder and catchy songs. At the climax of our journey we were 18 strong, which is more volunteers than I will ever see at any one time in the Barlavento (Northern Half of the island chain). I love Cape Verdeans, but partying with people who speak your language is a treat like no other. When I am in the company of people who understand my language, I feel a refreshing sense of identity. The journey started on Wednesday when I got to visit Brendan and Steve's site and see the beautiful mountain they live on. I was pleased to have my favorite Santiago duo waiting for me as well when I arrived. Once we had seen their site sufficiently well the party train made a voyage for Taraffal where I got to meet the famous Mr. Beach and hang out on that side for a couple days. The highlight of that experience surly was the beach camping trip we made two hours up the shore from Taraffal. On this beautiful beach we made fire, caught up with each other, made food, and even saw bioluminecent (sp?) shrimp. I haven't been camping since America and the experience was truly incredible.

A morning filled with frisbee, emerald waters, and sun greeted us the next day as we shook off the night before. Brendan managed to even show the Cape-Verdeans how to toss the pig skin around, and others went James-Bonding on some fish. We returned satisfied from the beach and ready for the night ahead...which just so happened to be Carnival Wooooooooooooooo!

Our costumes, which were ready by 3am, were a mixture of a Japanese Cartoon villian, an Aztec warrior, and a seahorse were even more awesome than they sound. We rocked these for the three days of Carnival and even a little bit on the "rest day". The parade we danced in was hypnotising with bright lights, colorful costumes, two songs played over and over back to back but still left you wanting more, and the most material you could put on women's costumes and still describe them as scantily clad. Dancing three steps to the left and three steps to the right through narrow cobblestone streets really puts you in a strange trance. By the time we got to the finish of each parade I was shellshocked. My original plan was to go to just one Carnival in Sao Nicolau, and switch it up by going to Mindelo the following year. Plans change.

Blog!

I had an awesome two page post that was colorfully written and just getting to the good part when my backspace mysteriously took me into another dimension where my blog post don't exist. Your loss. It was really good, but I guess you'll never know what happened to me the last couple days.
Here's the cliff notes
Random wave of euphoria overcame me on a hike, and I've been kicking ass and taking names since.
Last night I went to Povacao and had a great time
I'm going to Sao Nicolau, because thats what all the cool kids are doing for Carnaval. If you're not going its either because youre following this blog from America, which makes me proud of you. Or you are a PCV who doesn't have the stones to do real Carnaval, which means I still love you, but I am disappointed.
I miss my last entry as well as the stray dog I was becoming best friends with.

2010 For The Win

The new years has been awesome so far. Normally New Years is my favorite holiday, and this year, despite unfamiliar circumstances, was no exception. I spent the 31st hanging out on the beach listening to music, when I returned to town I made supper and nothing out of the ordinary. At midnight however, I saw the sleepy little town I live in transform into a celebration unrivaled by American towns 20 times its size. The town chucked fireworks into the air and the local drivers, including the ambulance, got all 5 of the town's cars together and made laps around the town honking as bystanders jumped in or on each of them. Once sufficently full, the vans and trucks went cruising down the north ramp of our town singing and cheering in the new year. Our destination was the nearby fishing Village of Cruzinha where a parallel party was occurring. Everyone got out of the vehicles after much cheering to wish each other new years. In my life I don't know if I've ever experienced such genuine well wishing in my life and the holiday spirit was unrivaled. Most everyone was rocking at least a 14 tooth smile (excepting those who hadn't the means) and the momentum carried us all the way back to Cha d' Igreja for the real party. We got back at one, at which point I got a call from my brothers. It was great to hear from them as I haven't heard their voices in nearly six months. We caught up as best we could with the noise and connection quality.
The party rivaled most anything I'd experienced in San Diego. Everyone was dancing, young and old alike, and the ponche and wine flowed like rivers. The venue was a night club that opened on special occasions in Cha De Igreja, and on the inside it was a legitamite night club, with a bar, dance floor, full sound, colorful lights etc. I was disappointed to see the party wind down at four, and I reluctantly went home which was 60 feet away. It was a good way to start the new year although I was kicking myself the next day.........people didn't go home at 4AM, it turns out they just took the party back to Cruzinha.

New Years Is Fast Approaching

I write this blog post because not because I have something to report, but rather the contrary. Yesterday I ran errands in the nearest city, and the day before I went on a hike to pick hot peppers. The later parts of both days were simply spent hanging out with the people in the town square. A local dog has taken to me and we consider each other friends. I must decide whether to spend new years in a smaller village to my west, as I was invited to do so, or stay local. Decisions decisions.

Ferias

School is out for winter break. Out of respect for the season, the trees have lights the equal of America's, the temperature has dropped, and of course family and friends are back in town. None of these factors really affect me, but they all add to an interesting asthetic that brings a new life to the place. I am affected slightly by the school closure, because my English classes need to wait until the new year. I'm helping our development group photograph a road repair they are contracted by the local government to do. This way they can invoice the government (Camara) and get some much needed money in the org. My part in all of this is just official photographer, but I'll take any work I can at this point.
There is talk amongst the two other volunteers in my county of beginning a time consuming, very ambitious computer donation project. It sounds nearly impossible, but its been a long time since my abilities have been challenged. Many ideas like this come and go, and it could very well be a different one by the time of my next blog entry. Hopefully not.

Activities Fair

The Activities group I am part of held a fair last night in our soccer arena/public space thingy. I am incredibly impressed with the success the event had despite the last minute and informal planning. The town, with its compact size and close knit populace mobilizes at lightning speed. We kicked the even off with a donkey race through the main street of our town. After competitively riding a donkey I can safely say my life is complete. Afterwords, I started setting up carnival activities in the stadium thingy. My game was ridiculously successful as people lined up to pay money to throw a deodorant stick roller ball into empty yogurt cups for the possibilty of winning a drink or a snack. I think our organization could have made major bank off of the game, were it not for the fact I quickly ran out of drink coupons. When I returned to get more, the rest of the fair staff was so stressed out about one thing or another, I determined it was best to let them be. The language barrier and blasting sound system made it really easy for me to be left out of whatever it was that they were stressing about. I kind of wanted to stress out with them so I didn't feel so seperated from what was going on. Since, I was unable to help or even understand why anyone would be so fouled when the fair was going so successfully, I just decided to enjoy myself.
Doing so was quite easy and i passed the rest of the fair just having fun. Although the loudness made me Creole unusable I found that non verbal activities were more than fun enough. Im excited for the debrief on the activity.

My Address

Today is cloudy and even a little bit rainy, the latter of which is unusual for this time of year. I find both a welcome change, and I am making the most of the cloudy day to catch up on housework, planning, and I may even crack a book today. I received a phone call from my country director which put me in a good mood. It is not many jobs where you are excited to hear from your boss, but I suppose this one is an exception. We talked about potential work ideas and it was not only nice to hear English, but also to hear someone else who is excited about bringing improvements here. To top it off I got a good dose of flattery from him on the merits responsibility and language ability. Apparently, those two qualities are what led them to believe I am qualified to be serving out here on Mars. I was also glad to hear the (probably false) statement that I have one of the most remote sites in Peace Corps and that I must be extra careful. It made me feel a bit more rugged despite the fact that I have electricity, running water, and internet in my house. I can picture a volunteer in Peace Corps Kenya or something being unable to imagine the luxury I have here. All we would have in common is that we both still take bucket baths.
Work is good. I’ve been teaching English classes regularly, but I would really like to add more classes and information technology classes too. Last weeks meeting to secure the space for such was cancelled, due to insufficient turnout. I really have some good ideas to present to the board for the next meeting, but I feel that my age, specifically the lack thereof, is somewhat a disadvantage when trying to pitch ideas. Trying to make my ideas seem like someone elses is a challenge in English, doing so In Creole should be a real test.
A secondary group is forming in Cha De Igreja. It is an activities group to add life to the village started by a young girl and the principal of the school. Although this group meets more regularly, and considers me a founding member, they seem focused on starting a dance group. Although I agree with their intentions, I haven’t figured out what I can offer them. I told them if they wanted I could teach breakdancing/capoeria, but not much outside of that.
The group aims at doing other things too, but they don’t have the money to do them, nor the imagination to see that they can do things without it. I’m trying to pitch organized hikes, beach bonfires, and other activities as free alternatives, but being outspoken In the meetings is once again difficult due to my young age, my unfamiliarity with the workings of the village, and of course the language barrier.
Although no one is telling me I haven’t been doing enough, I have been holding myself accountable, and do feel there is something else I could be doing here. I just don’t know what or how. Outside of that, I can’t complain about anything. I get along well with the town, the weather is perfect, and I’ve taught some people to play chess so I can now pass the time. Thanks to Dustin for teaching me. I hike regularly and I am staying in pretty good shape, despite the inavailabilty of food. That’s all for now. I hope everyone back home is doing as well as I am.



My address ;
Thomas Grant Readle
Cha De Igreja
Ribeira Grande
Santo Antao
Cape Verde