Spoke with Kira!

July 27, 2008

Hi Everyone, I was able to speak with Kira today and she sounded wonderful! She is on a weekend trip to stay with a Peace Corp Volunteer who has been in service for about a year. That volunteer had a cell phone and Kira was able to reach me. She says to tell everyone she misses them and can't wait to receive letters! (hint hint)

Kira says it is a real culture shock, but doesn't take too long to begin to adjust. She attends training every day and mostly studies French. Her French has progressed a great deal. In the evenings she stays with her host family. Her 'mom' does not speak French, but rather Hausa. Her 'father' does speak French and the 4 children ranging in age from 13 - 17 all speak a little French. This family is lucky because they have a little electricity. They actually have a TV and Kira says they watch a horrible soap opera in the evenings. The good news is that the show is in French so she gets to practice.

This is their rainy season and Kira described the storms as so severe, that anyone here would think it was the Apocalypse because of the real strange sky color and heavy rains. It is real hot and actually humid this time of year so that has been rather hard. She sleeps outside most nights under her mosquito netting. The flies have been her biggest challenge, they are everywhere. She has to take 'bucket baths' and you have to be selective of the time of day or the flies swarm you. I take it that bathroom time is real interesting, but I will let her explain that some time... Kira says she doubts her feet will ever be clean again.

Kira thinks she will be placed in either Maridi or Konni in Niger. Either way, she should have internet and cell phone access. Once she obtains a cell phone, I will get the number to everyone.

Meanwhile, Kira sounds wonderful. She is still full of excitment and curosity. Sounds like Kira!