2004-07-24 - 9:30 p.m.

We left Kaedi today for M'Beidia by normal PC landcruiser transport. We were dropped off at our Hassanyan teachers house where the three of us entered with trepidation. In side sat two men, one was the school director the other was Hadu, our hassanyan teacher. Women began to arrive soon after. Two of them were carrying babies on their backs using a long clothe they tie at the waist. We served tea and then were told which mother would be our own. Mine (Ezza) was the one sitting furthest from me holding an infant boy. On the way home I was informed that my new name was Mohammed laMine. The first part is obviously the name of the islamic prophet, but the last part means I am someone in which confidence can be placed.

We left Hadu's and headed in diiferent directions for our new homes. Mine was located on the outside of town near to the road. It is approximately 20ft*20ft with three rooms (one of which is mine) and an attached out door area enclosed by a wall. This is where the toilet/washing area is. The house is mad of mud brick with a tin roof for a cieling. As is the case for all of M'Beidia there is no electricity or running water.

I took my things to my room to get settled in. While unpacking my mother (who speaks some French) informed me she was going into town and would return soon. After she left I noticed several pearing eyes from the hall way. These must be my host siblings and/or thier friends. I went out in the hallway and sat down with them. I tried a few words of French, but got no response. They obiously only spoke hassanyan, and I obviously did not. I showed them a few magic tricks using some small rocks sitting near the mat we were sitting on (yes the house has a mud floor). They were initially mystified, but soon discovered me for the fraud that I am.

I have since discovered that I have a total of siblings: Cher (13), Mohammed (11), Dar (9), Ah-med and Moy-de (8, it took me a long time to figure out there are two of them because they are almost neer together. As I write this entry weeks later I now know the latter can be recognized by the scar in his forehead), Kumbo (6, the girl), A-boo (4, but looks 2), Gee-Bree (6 months).

In the evening we met at Hadu's. Molly is staying with a large group of women and Jeff is staying at the Mayors, who is currently in Nouakchott. We went over basic vocab and decided our schedules. Sun-Thurs 8-10: outdoor activities, 10-12 and 4-7: language.

I returned home and was expecting dinner, but it never came. I figured that maybe we weren't going to eat because lch had be so late. I had earlier asked how they saw at night and my host father (Alioun) explained they didn't. After dark he asked to get my lamp. He set it up for me and told me to take it to my room because it would attract too many bugs. I understood this as meaning everyone was going to bed do I went to my room to get ready and then came out to see if I could set my tent up outside. He said yes, so I asked when they normally went to bed. He told me 11 or 12. it was only 9 so I was surprised. He then told me they were going to eat. How do they see what they are eating you ask. Why they don't. The siloette of the bowl can be seen by starlight. The contents are ascertained using touch taste and smell. After dinner I again prepared for bed and slept soundly all night.

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