So I've spent the last couple of days getting to know my family and learning the language and lifestyles. It has been challenging, exhausting, and intensely fun. Getting to know my community and its surroundings has been enjoyable. My CBT group and leader went on a few walks, one through the community and one down by the river, which was absolutely beautiful. I don't have pictures just yet, because that walk was on accident due to the wind blowing our door shut & we were locked out of our "school" house.
So, my family!!! I have a younger brother, who's 7- his picture is below- who has been my savior at home. He has been so patient with me and has been more than helpful with teaching new words. Though as soon as he teaches me, I think he expects me to remember them and is surprised when I don't. I enjoy watching his facial reactions when I'm trying to pronounce a word. After drawing an array of different things and having him teach me them, I wrote them down in English for him- then I taught him tic-tac-toe!! Which he seemed to really enjoy and wouldn't stop harassing me to play!
My Mom is a sweetheart. She's quite, but is so excited to help me learn. She's making sure I'm doing okay and is very kind. I can tell she is so proud when I finally can speak the word, even though I forget it 10 seconds later and make her repeat it. She's finally allowing me to help her, I made chicken kebabs with her last night for dinner. Or, for an appetizer- jeeze louise they eat a lot over here!! (though I'm pretty sure I've lost a little bit of weight, thank you no alcohol policy!)
I have and Aunt and a Grandma who are funny and constantly force me to eat. My Grandma is a sweet old thing, who just keeps talking to me and I think expects me to understand what she's saying. She'll just keep repeating herself louder, as if it helps... it doesn't. But I know she means well.
I also have a father that I just met last night, who seems very nice and keeps to himself, at least for the bit that I met him. I have two sisters also- but I haven't met either. They're a little younger than me so I'm waiting to meet them. I can only hope they'll be as helpful as the rest of their family, which I'm sure they will be.
So! I'm sure you're wondering about the title of the post. The first day I got to my CBT site, my mother gave me the name Zahra, which means flower. Sometimes American names are too hard to pronounce, so we're all given Berber names. A dialect of Berber is the language that I'm learning. It makes me laugh and think, these people will never know me as Caitlin. Just Zahra. My little brother will never think of me in any other way, and I think that's so fascinating.
What else.. hmm... it's definitely been a challenge to adapt to the lifestyle here. New food, new language, hardly drinking water, not showering every day, and all of the volunteers favorite- the turkish toilet. Just all some things that will take some serious getting use to.
Ohh!! My and my female CBTs got some Henna at our friend Joe's house, one of his "sisters" did our hands and feet- here's a picture:
If you haven't realized already, I do not have internet at my CBT site, only at my hub site. So tomorrow (Friday) afternoon, I'll be headed back to my site for 10 days. Lord knows how I'm gonna handle my first bucket shower because I know I cannot go without showering for 10 days. My family knows how much I love my showering, especially Patrick and Conor, so this bucket thing does not sound as glorious as my steam shower back in Wading River. But it is what it is and I heard they're not that bad.. so I'll let you know how it goes.
So, my family!!! I have a younger brother, who's 7- his picture is below- who has been my savior at home. He has been so patient with me and has been more than helpful with teaching new words. Though as soon as he teaches me, I think he expects me to remember them and is surprised when I don't. I enjoy watching his facial reactions when I'm trying to pronounce a word. After drawing an array of different things and having him teach me them, I wrote them down in English for him- then I taught him tic-tac-toe!! Which he seemed to really enjoy and wouldn't stop harassing me to play!
I have and Aunt and a Grandma who are funny and constantly force me to eat. My Grandma is a sweet old thing, who just keeps talking to me and I think expects me to understand what she's saying. She'll just keep repeating herself louder, as if it helps... it doesn't. But I know she means well.
I also have a father that I just met last night, who seems very nice and keeps to himself, at least for the bit that I met him. I have two sisters also- but I haven't met either. They're a little younger than me so I'm waiting to meet them. I can only hope they'll be as helpful as the rest of their family, which I'm sure they will be.
So! I'm sure you're wondering about the title of the post. The first day I got to my CBT site, my mother gave me the name Zahra, which means flower. Sometimes American names are too hard to pronounce, so we're all given Berber names. A dialect of Berber is the language that I'm learning. It makes me laugh and think, these people will never know me as Caitlin. Just Zahra. My little brother will never think of me in any other way, and I think that's so fascinating.
What else.. hmm... it's definitely been a challenge to adapt to the lifestyle here. New food, new language, hardly drinking water, not showering every day, and all of the volunteers favorite- the turkish toilet. Just all some things that will take some serious getting use to.
Ohh!! My and my female CBTs got some Henna at our friend Joe's house, one of his "sisters" did our hands and feet- here's a picture:
If you haven't realized already, I do not have internet at my CBT site, only at my hub site. So tomorrow (Friday) afternoon, I'll be headed back to my site for 10 days. Lord knows how I'm gonna handle my first bucket shower because I know I cannot go without showering for 10 days. My family knows how much I love my showering, especially Patrick and Conor, so this bucket thing does not sound as glorious as my steam shower back in Wading River. But it is what it is and I heard they're not that bad.. so I'll let you know how it goes.
Omg Caitlin!! This is unreal. Your little family. Its adorable. Im so impressed. I like your new name- Zahra. And your little bro is adorable! Youre learning from a 7 yr old- hysterical cute and perfect for you since youre such a kid. Um id like to hear more details about the Turkish toilet....
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