Week 1, OR Go Tell It to the Crocodile

Sorry, everyone! No pictures this time but many to come :)

WORK

My job here is wonderful and I'm enjoying being around a group so dedicated to the defense of human rights. A typical day consists of my partner and I walking to the prison, the appellate court, or one of the tribunals and looking for documents or speaking to prosecutors. It's a lot of waiting, a lot of walking, and a lot of paperwork. The Guinean system is anything but efficient, and this inefficiency stems from a lack of access to technology. 

There are no consistent landlines and as far as I can tell, absolutely no legal records are kept electronically.

Part of the reason why so many people are kept in prison without judgment or past their release date is that they simply get lost in the paper trail. It's made me realize how inextricably linked development, access to technology, and human rights truly are.

On my very first day, the police brought a man to the prison who had been shot (by police) and tortured for about a week. The bullet was kept in his leg, causing an infection that I can only describe as the most terrible thing I've ever seen. When he arrived at the prison, we was laid outside in the dirt, where he remained in a fetal position while others watched. 

He died a few days later.

We found out today that he and two accomplices had been trying to steal something (we're not sure what exactly) and in the course of trying to escape, all three were shot. The other two died instantly. As it turns out, the man I saw had actually shot and killed the Minister of Education (I think) and our director was hesitant to advocate for medical treatment for such a controversial prisoner. We did make sure he got to the hospital, but it was too late.

So far I've been present for the liberation of three prisoners. Even though I'm still in the learning stage and can't take any sort of credit for their release, it was still an incredible feeling to escort them out of the prison, each time with appreciative shouts of “bon travail” and "bravo!" from the guards. They don't want people to be unlawfully detained anymore than we do. 

FOOD

The food here is delicious, but my stomach is not always in agreement with it. I got incredibly sick last weekend, which actually contributed to my delay in blogging about my arrival. I'm feeling a lot better, and haven't had any problems eating here since. The best part about Guinean cuisine is the cost. My lunch today (a bowl of rice with some sort of spinach-y sauce) was 50cents. The most expensive meal I've had here cost around $10, but I've been typically spending less than $2/day on food. I tried something really delicious the other day called Atieke, which is a traditional dish from Cote d'Ivoire consisting of manioc ground up into a cous-cous type base with diced tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, chili, and a whole fried fish. You take a little of everything, mash it into little chunks, and eat it with your hands. Ah-mazing. For a huge bowl, it costs around 75 cents.

The only expensive food we ever indulge in is at Le Damier, which is a small french restaurant that caters to tourists. It's our favorite spot for a cappuccino after a particularly long day of work. (Which is funny, because we start work at 9 and usually end around 3. Did I mention I wear flip-flops every day?)

ANIMALS

I've seen some pretty freakin awesome animals in Guinea. No, there are no giraffes or what you might think of when you picture “African” animals, but that's okay. On the streets, you are sure to run into friendly stray dogs, cats, and LOTS of goats. My interns (and Guinean bystanders) always think I'm nuts because I'm constantly petting things that probably have diseases. The other day, I even met a monkey and fed him bananas. (no pictures this time, but I'm going back to see him again soon!) 

I also discovered a bat colony in one of the mango trees behind the catholic mission where I'm staying. They are incredibly cool. I've never been able to see bats move around and feed during the day before, but these ones are very active, even at 3 o clock in the afternoon! Short of actually climbing to the top of the tree to meet them, I would definitely do anything to get a closer look at my new friends. 

Last but certainly not least, the catholic mission has its very own crocodile. They have a small habitat for him in the jungle-y backyard area, and he is absolutely fantastic. Why is there a crocodile at a catholic mission? Well, I'm glad you asked. The Bishop who founded the mission just loved crocodiles. That's all there is to it. 

I'm assuming that if I ever had my own mission, it would double as a hamster sanctuary. 

MANDY

I've been adjusting fairly well here. Guinean people are so welcoming and warm that it's hard not to like them. Everywhere I go, people are always happy to meet me and continuously forgiving of my terrible French. (A side note: Guinean accents= SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND. Sometimes it doesn't even sound like French at all.)

I miss everyone so much. I really really like Guinea, but I can't help but wish sometimes that I was having a glass of wine with my best friend Annie or eating at my favorite sushi restaurant with my parents or watching Hulu with Buttercup. Since homesickness and occasional frustration with my work is inevitible, and venting to my friends or family is a waste of a call home, I have found someone to listen to my problems when I need them to. Want to guess who? Monsieur Le Crocodile, of course! 

A tip: if you ever find yourself venting to a crocodile, make sure there aren't five gentlemen sitting on a bench nearby. They will laugh at you, and you will just have one more problem to share with him.

Well, au revoir for now, my hamsters! Will update more soon and I expect lots of love emails updating me on all of your adventures! I suspect a special post entitled Mandy's Mammals is just around the corner ;)