good evening and I went begin by telling you how excited I am to be here tonight
you how excited I am to be here tonight
you how excited I am to be here tonight and I want to thank the students who
and I want to thank the students who
and I want to thank the students who invited me to come when I was preparing
invited me to come when I was preparing
invited me to come when I was preparing to graduate from college I wasn’t quite
to graduate from college I wasn’t quite
to graduate from college I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to do with my life
sure what I was going to do with my life
sure what I was going to do with my life but at the point that I was graduating i
but at the point that I was graduating i
but at the point that I was graduating i knew that i wanted to embark on
knew that i wanted to embark on
knew that i wanted to embark on something that would help me to continue
something that would help me to continue
something that would help me to continue my education and at the same time enable
my education and at the same time enable
my education and at the same time enable me to find way to be of service what i
me to find way to be of service what i
me to find way to be of service what i decided to do is I decided to apply the
decided to do is I decided to apply the
decided to do is I decided to apply the Peace Corps Peace Corps is American
Peace Corps Peace Corps is American
Peace Corps Peace Corps is American agency which sends young men and women
agency which sends young men and women
agency which sends young men and women with skills to countries who request
with skills to countries who request
with skills to countries who request those skills what I did is I can i
those skills what I did is I can i
those skills what I did is I can i interviewed with them they talking about
interviewed with them they talking about
interviewed with them they talking about what my experiences have been and they
what my experiences have been and they
what my experiences have been and they decided to offer me a position as a math
decided to offer me a position as a math
decided to offer me a position as a math education volunteer this was something I
education volunteer this was something I
education volunteer this was something I was really excited to do what I had to
was really excited to do what I had to
was really excited to do what I had to do was wait to find out where it is that
do was wait to find out where it is that
do was wait to find out where it is that they would invite me to perform my
they would invite me to perform my
they would invite me to perform my service after a few months I received a
service after a few months I received a
service after a few months I received a fat envelope in the mail and in the
fat envelope in the mail and in the
fat envelope in the mail and in the temple open for me that I was being
temple open for me that I was being
temple open for me that I was being invited to serve in the country of
invited to serve in the country of
invited to serve in the country of Guinea and at the time that i received
Guinea and at the time that i received
Guinea and at the time that i received the letter I have to admit I didn’t know
the letter I have to admit I didn’t know
the letter I have to admit I didn’t know we’re getting was located and the first
we’re getting was located and the first
we’re getting was located and the first thing I did was pulled out an analyst
thing I did was pulled out an analyst
thing I did was pulled out an analyst before the internet and I took a look to
before the internet and I took a look to
before the internet and I took a look to find out where Guinea as you can see it
find out where Guinea as you can see it
find out where Guinea as you can see it on the map over there they are pointing
on the map over there they are pointing
on the map over there they are pointing to it it’s on the west coast of Africa
to it it’s on the west coast of Africa
to it it’s on the west coast of Africa to former French colonies for the
to former French colonies for the
to former French colonies for the language of the people they are
language of the people they are
language of the people they are expression and so I was thrilled studied
expression and so I was thrilled studied
expression and so I was thrilled studied the very little room in French in
the very little room in French in
the very little room in French in college I really wanted the opportunity
college I really wanted the opportunity
college I really wanted the opportunity to learn to speak another language and I
to learn to speak another language and I
to learn to speak another language and I wanted to visit and live within a
wanted to visit and live within a
wanted to visit and live within a culture that was completely different
culture that was completely different
culture that was completely different than our American culture so my journey
than our American culture so my journey
than our American culture so my journey began the July after I graduated six
began the July after I graduated six
began the July after I graduated six weeks after I graduated I was on a plane
weeks after I graduated I was on a plane
weeks after I graduated I was on a plane to overseas and I first went to country
to overseas and I first went to country
to overseas and I first went to country of Senegal which borders getting to the
of Senegal which borders getting to the
of Senegal which borders getting to the north and I spent two months
north and I spent two months
north and I spent two months Aaron trick me and my training was
Aaron trick me and my training was
Aaron trick me and my training was threefold the first part was language
threefold the first part was language
threefold the first part was language immersion so I mentioned I’d only had a
immersion so I mentioned I’d only had a
immersion so I mentioned I’d only had a little bit of French in colleges so I
little bit of French in colleges so I
little bit of French in colleges so I spent six hours a day with seven Billy’s
spent six hours a day with seven Billy’s
spent six hours a day with seven Billy’s instructor and his fellow Peace Corps
instructor and his fellow Peace Corps
instructor and his fellow Peace Corps volunteers to learn French and that’s
volunteers to learn French and that’s
volunteers to learn French and that’s what I could interact with individuals
what I could interact with individuals
what I could interact with individuals on the day-to-day basis as well as be
on the day-to-day basis as well as be
on the day-to-day basis as well as be able to teach a class of math the second
able to teach a class of math the second
able to teach a class of math the second aspect of my training was vocational
aspect of my training was vocational
aspect of my training was vocational training so I had not done my
training so I had not done my
training so I had not done my undergraduate degree in education I was
undergraduate degree in education I was
undergraduate degree in education I was a liberal arts major and so I had to
a liberal arts major and so I had to
a liberal arts major and so I had to have a crash course what it would be to
have a crash course what it would be to
have a crash course what it would be to teach in a school in Guinea I went into
teach in a school in Guinea I went into
teach in a school in Guinea I went into a public school and they followed the
a public school and they followed the
a public school and they followed the French system of education there and
French system of education there and
French system of education there and then the third element of training was
then the third element of training was
then the third element of training was acculturation so they had to prepare me
acculturation so they had to prepare me
acculturation so they had to prepare me for what life is won’t be liking me
for what life is won’t be liking me
for what life is won’t be liking me because it was nothing like anything to
because it was nothing like anything to
because it was nothing like anything to experience here in the United States and
experience here in the United States and
experience here in the United States and that in some ways was the most important
that in some ways was the most important
that in some ways was the most important part of the training that I had upon the
part of the training that I had upon the
part of the training that I had upon the completion of my training I was sworn in
completion of my training I was sworn in
completion of my training I was sworn in to volunteer and I wanted to include the
to volunteer and I wanted to include the
to volunteer and I wanted to include the oath that I took his volunteer at the
oath that I took his volunteer at the
oath that I took his volunteer at the time it was very very meaningful to me
time it was very very meaningful to me
time it was very very meaningful to me let me read it to you I married do
let me read it to you I married do
let me read it to you I married do solemnly swear that I will support and
solemnly swear that I will support and
solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United
defend the Constitution of the United
defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and
States against all enemies foreign and
States against all enemies foreign and domestic that I will bear true faith and
domestic that I will bear true faith and
domestic that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same that I take this
allegiance to the same that I take this
allegiance to the same that I take this obligation freely without any mental
obligation freely without any mental
obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion and
reservation or purpose of evasion and
reservation or purpose of evasion and that I will well and faithfully
that I will well and faithfully
that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on
discharge the duties of the office on
discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter this was a
which I am about to enter this was a
which I am about to enter this was a weighty howth to take and to be honest I
weighty howth to take and to be honest I
weighty howth to take and to be honest I think wasn’t aware when I was looking at
think wasn’t aware when I was looking at
think wasn’t aware when I was looking at the Peace Corps that I would be taking
the Peace Corps that I would be taking
the Peace Corps that I would be taking this out and on the day that we were
this out and on the day that we were
this out and on the day that we were sworn in it was the ambassador beginning
sworn in it was the ambassador beginning
sworn in it was the ambassador beginning who had us swear in and he told us in
who had us swear in and he told us in
who had us swear in and he told us in that
that
that that we would be ambassadors that his
that we would be ambassadors that his
that we would be ambassadors that his job was made much easier by the fact
job was made much easier by the fact
job was made much easier by the fact that we as Americans were having
that we as Americans were having
that we as Americans were having villages into small towns of any places
villages into small towns of any places
villages into small towns of any places where he could not reach and that we
where he could not reach and that we
where he could not reach and that we would all be expected to act as
would all be expected to act as
would all be expected to act as representatives of our country while we
representatives of our country while we
representatives of our country while we were engaging in our service so off I
were engaging in our service so off I
were engaging in our service so off I went this is a picture of me on the road
went this is a picture of me on the road
went this is a picture of me on the road near in my village and as you can see
near in my village and as you can see
near in my village and as you can see I’m wearing traditional gay and we’re at
I’m wearing traditional gay and we’re at
I’m wearing traditional gay and we’re at that time one of the pieces of our
that time one of the pieces of our
that time one of the pieces of our training energy culture a shin is really
training energy culture a shin is really
training energy culture a shin is really really important one of the aspects of
really important one of the aspects of
really important one of the aspects of going to getting was understanding that
going to getting was understanding that
going to getting was understanding that gimme was a country that we’re
gimme was a country that we’re
gimme was a country that we’re eighty-five percent of the population
eighty-five percent of the population
eighty-five percent of the population was Muslim and so that required that the
was Muslim and so that required that the
was Muslim and so that required that the clothing that i wore reflected the
clothing that i wore reflected the
clothing that i wore reflected the values of the people where I lived and
values of the people where I lived and
values of the people where I lived and so one of those values is the fact that
so one of those values is the fact that
so one of those values is the fact that as a woman would be considered unseemly
as a woman would be considered unseemly
as a woman would be considered unseemly for a modest if I were to show for
for a modest if I were to show for
for a modest if I were to show for example my leg up my knee so all of the
example my leg up my knee so all of the
example my leg up my knee so all of the clothing that i wore always make sure
clothing that i wore always make sure
clothing that i wore always make sure that i dressed in long skirts like you
that i dressed in long skirts like you
that i dressed in long skirts like you see what i was wearing in the picture at
see what i was wearing in the picture at
see what i was wearing in the picture at the same time there was no concern of
the same time there was no concern of
the same time there was no concern of that arm showing so for example i am
that arm showing so for example i am
that arm showing so for example i am frequently wear tank talk to kind of
frequently wear tank talk to kind of
frequently wear tank talk to kind of like I’m doing right now and it didn’t
like I’m doing right now and it didn’t
like I’m doing right now and it didn’t need to cover my hair as well the
need to cover my hair as well the
need to cover my hair as well the requirements for women were actually
requirements for women were actually
requirements for women were actually very similar to the apartments for men
very similar to the apartments for men
very similar to the apartments for men men also never wore shorts and in fact
men also never wore shorts and in fact
men also never wore shorts and in fact was considered unseemly for an adult
was considered unseemly for an adult
was considered unseemly for an adult male or female wear shorts men and women
male or female wear shorts men and women
male or female wear shorts men and women wear pants were there for skirts and as
wear pants were there for skirts and as
wear pants were there for skirts and as Americans a little bit difficult because
Americans a little bit difficult because
Americans a little bit difficult because it was hot and they were days where I
it was hot and they were days where I
it was hot and they were days where I wanted to wear shorts but I felt that if
wanted to wear shorts but I felt that if
wanted to wear shorts but I felt that if i didn’t i would be perceived by those
i didn’t i would be perceived by those
i didn’t i would be perceived by those around me is not thank someone who was
around me is not thank someone who was
around me is not thank someone who was dignified a worthy respect and so it was
dignified a worthy respect and so it was
dignified a worthy respect and so it was important to me that I understood the
important to me that I understood the
important to me that I understood the viewpoint of the people with whom I was
viewpoint of the people with whom I was
viewpoint of the people with whom I was living so that if they were going to
living so that if they were going to
living so that if they were going to hear me and understand who I was at the
hear me and understand who I was at the
hear me and understand who I was at the same time I needed to respect their
same time I needed to respect their
same time I needed to respect their their culture as well oftentimes I tell
their culture as well oftentimes I tell
their culture as well oftentimes I tell people about my Peace Corps experience
people about my Peace Corps experience
people about my Peace Corps experience they want to know what it was like and
they want to know what it was like and
they want to know what it was like and where I lived and the hut that you see
where I lived and the hut that you see
where I lived and the hut that you see here is naturally not
here is naturally not
here is naturally not that i lived in my dwelling was a little
that i lived in my dwelling was a little
that i lived in my dwelling was a little bit different than i’m talking envious
bit different than i’m talking envious
bit different than i’m talking envious is the volunteers who got to live in
is the volunteers who got to live in
is the volunteers who got to live in such a dwelling Guinea is hot it’s only
such a dwelling Guinea is hot it’s only
such a dwelling Guinea is hot it’s only 400 miles within the equator they’re two
400 miles within the equator they’re two
400 miles within the equator they’re two seasons it’s hard work basically it’s a
seasons it’s hard work basically it’s a
seasons it’s hard work basically it’s a dry season in the wet season and it’s
dry season in the wet season and it’s
dry season in the wet season and it’s always hot the mud hut that you see here
always hot the mud hut that you see here
always hot the mud hut that you see here with the bathroom is actually a really
with the bathroom is actually a really
with the bathroom is actually a really little dwelling place so if you think
little dwelling place so if you think
little dwelling place so if you think about in your own home if you go down
about in your own home if you go down
about in your own home if you go down into the basement where it’s partially
into the basement where it’s partially
into the basement where it’s partially underground just kind of like being
underground just kind of like being
underground just kind of like being within my walls and so one of the things
within my walls and so one of the things
within my walls and so one of the things that I really have to appreciate when I
that I really have to appreciate when I
that I really have to appreciate when I lived there was how they use their
lived there was how they use their
lived there was how they use their environment to make themselves more
environment to make themselves more
environment to make themselves more comfortable and the fact that what we
comfortable and the fact that what we
comfortable and the fact that what we might see as a modern convenience might
might see as a modern convenience might
might see as a modern convenience might be better to live in a house with the
be better to live in a house with the
be better to live in a house with the air conditioning for example they found
air conditioning for example they found
air conditioning for example they found ways to be cool and to live and
ways to be cool and to live and
ways to be cool and to live and uncomfortable um clearly live in a house
uncomfortable um clearly live in a house
uncomfortable um clearly live in a house like this indication there was no
like this indication there was no
like this indication there was no running water with what’s no electricity
running water with what’s no electricity
running water with what’s no electricity and this is something that I understood
and this is something that I understood
and this is something that I understood that I was going to experience when I
that I was going to experience when I
that I was going to experience when I went there and it wasn’t particularly
went there and it wasn’t particularly
went there and it wasn’t particularly fearful of it but again at the same time
fearful of it but again at the same time
fearful of it but again at the same time people often wonder hmm have you lived
people often wonder hmm have you lived
people often wonder hmm have you lived without running water that means no
without running water that means no
without running water that means no plumbing have you live without
plumbing have you live without
plumbing have you live without electricity comes in lights and while
electricity comes in lights and while
electricity comes in lights and while the next slide sort of speaks for itself
the next slide sort of speaks for itself
the next slide sort of speaks for itself right you learn very quickly to adapt to
right you learn very quickly to adapt to
right you learn very quickly to adapt to the circumstances that you’re in and
the circumstances that you’re in and
the circumstances that you’re in and oftentimes what do you think is going to
oftentimes what do you think is going to
oftentimes what do you think is going to be the scariest and most uncomfortable
be the scariest and most uncomfortable
be the scariest and most uncomfortable situations you discover I can adapt in
situations you discover I can adapt in
situations you discover I can adapt in fact there’s nothing really that
fact there’s nothing really that
fact there’s nothing really that difficult to adapt to one of the things
difficult to adapt to one of the things
difficult to adapt to one of the things that impressed me about the medium
that impressed me about the medium
that impressed me about the medium people must have heard they worked and
people must have heard they worked and
people must have heard they worked and as a woman in Kenya became very
as a woman in Kenya became very
as a woman in Kenya became very intrigued with the roles of women in the
intrigued with the roles of women in the
intrigued with the roles of women in the country where I was and and women and
country where I was and and women and
country where I was and and women and guinea are some of the hardest working
guinea are some of the hardest working
guinea are some of the hardest working people I’ve seen anywhere because they
people I’ve seen anywhere because they
people I’ve seen anywhere because they lack basic in public infrastructure like
lack basic in public infrastructure like
lack basic in public infrastructure like we have like running water electricity
we have like running water electricity
we have like running water electricity the burden of household duties do follow
the burden of household duties do follow
the burden of household duties do follow the women and fetching water for example
the women and fetching water for example
the women and fetching water for example daily is a chore fetching firewood in
daily is a chore fetching firewood in
daily is a chore fetching firewood in order to cook for the family is
order to cook for the family is
order to cook for the family is important and one of the two
important and one of the two
important and one of the two culties that I had is of course I didn’t
culties that I had is of course I didn’t
culties that I had is of course I didn’t have running water in my house side and
have running water in my house side and
have running water in my house side and there was a pump about 50 meters from my
there was a pump about 50 meters from my
there was a pump about 50 meters from my house that I would have to walk to to
house that I would have to walk to to
house that I would have to walk to to get water and i mentioned before about
get water and i mentioned before about
get water and i mentioned before about dress and having appropriate dress so
dress and having appropriate dress so
dress and having appropriate dress so there were also appropriate behaviors
there were also appropriate behaviors
there were also appropriate behaviors for how he was supposed to act as not
for how he was supposed to act as not
for how he was supposed to act as not only a a teacher a new teacher was
only a a teacher a new teacher was
only a a teacher a new teacher was considered a valued member of the
considered a valued member of the
considered a valued member of the Society of the community but calories
Society of the community but calories
Society of the community but calories must act as an adult women and adult
must act as an adult women and adult
must act as an adult women and adult women do not pump water pumping water is
women do not pump water pumping water is
women do not pump water pumping water is this child’s work and when I mean
this child’s work and when I mean
this child’s work and when I mean child’s reckoning work of six and
child’s reckoning work of six and
child’s reckoning work of six and seven-year-olds so when I go to the pump
seven-year-olds so when I go to the pump
seven-year-olds so when I go to the pump to get water because in my mind that was
to get water because in my mind that was
to get water because in my mind that was my responsibility to provide himself
my responsibility to provide himself
my responsibility to provide himself with that service I would find 67 year
with that service I would find 67 year
with that service I would find 67 year old girls there and they didn’t want me
old girls there and they didn’t want me
old girls there and they didn’t want me to pump water they would commit
to pump water they would commit
to pump water they would commit themselves and they would take these
themselves and they would take these
themselves and they would take these huge 5-gallon technology ups and they
huge 5-gallon technology ups and they
huge 5-gallon technology ups and they would lift it and put it on their head
would lift it and put it on their head
would lift it and put it on their head so they would want to walk at home and I
so they would want to walk at home and I
so they would want to walk at home and I was constantly having a struggle within
was constantly having a struggle within
was constantly having a struggle within myself to my lao children to do this do
myself to my lao children to do this do
myself to my lao children to do this do I do with myself sometimes I did it
I do with myself sometimes I did it
I do with myself sometimes I did it myself some time to let the children do
myself some time to let the children do
myself some time to let the children do it it as a Peace Corps volunteer as
it it as a Peace Corps volunteer as
it it as a Peace Corps volunteer as someone who’s living a different culture
someone who’s living a different culture
someone who’s living a different culture finding a way to respect their values
finding a way to respect their values
finding a way to respect their values with the same time respect my own values
with the same time respect my own values
with the same time respect my own values what was important to me was always a
what was important to me was always a
what was important to me was always a daily struggle in this picture I wonder
daily struggle in this picture I wonder
daily struggle in this picture I wonder if you can see where I am
right beaute right I certainly a very
right beaute right I certainly a very fair-skinned American and wherever I
fair-skinned American and wherever I
fair-skinned American and wherever I went in Africa I should have and your
went in Africa I should have and your
went in Africa I should have and your special name for white foreigner in the
special name for white foreigner in the
special name for white foreigner in the local language language isuzu and it was
local language language isuzu and it was
local language language isuzu and it was ok so anywhere i went for hordes of
ok so anywhere i went for hordes of
ok so anywhere i went for hordes of children always felt like the report to
children always felt like the report to
children always felt like the report to them dozens of children were always
them dozens of children were always
them dozens of children were always playing a minute did we see because
playing a minute did we see because
playing a minute did we see because obviously Tyson doubt they would holler
obviously Tyson doubt they would holler
obviously Tyson doubt they would holler boat a boat a boat a boat tank boats &
boat a boat a boat a boat tank boats &
boat a boat a boat a boat tank boats & boating what they were doing they were
boating what they were doing they were
boating what they were doing they were waiting you say manja wha and when I did
waiting you say manja wha and when I did
waiting you say manja wha and when I did that they get excited we run around me
that they get excited we run around me
that they get excited we run around me come up and we want to shake my hand
come up and we want to shake my hand
come up and we want to shake my hand every time I left my home every single
every time I left my home every single
every time I left my home every single time I left my home people would holler
time I left my home people would holler
time I left my home people would holler boat a boat a boat day additionally was
boat a boat a boat day additionally was
boat a boat a boat day additionally was kind of cool i felt served like
kind of cool i felt served like
kind of cool i felt served like rock-star I thought everybody loves the
rock-star I thought everybody loves the
rock-star I thought everybody loves the American this is really great but after
American this is really great but after
American this is really great but after months and months and months of
months and months and months of
months and months and months of constantly being called pho Tay there
constantly being called pho Tay there
constantly being called pho Tay there was a certain breeding that occurred and
was a certain breeding that occurred and
was a certain breeding that occurred and again it was a cultural dissonance that
again it was a cultural dissonance that
again it was a cultural dissonance that was happening for then there was no
was happening for then there was no
was happening for then there was no disrespect and calling me photek they
disrespect and calling me photek they
disrespect and calling me photek they were simply say you’re a foreigner right
were simply say you’re a foreigner right
were simply say you’re a foreigner right and I was a foreigner but I’m coming
and I was a foreigner but I’m coming
and I was a foreigner but I’m coming from the US in the u.s. we all know that
from the US in the u.s. we all know that
from the US in the u.s. we all know that is completely inappropriate to call out
is completely inappropriate to call out
is completely inappropriate to call out and hollering somebody based on their
and hollering somebody based on their
and hollering somebody based on their race or ethnicity it was really
race or ethnicity it was really
race or ethnicity it was really difficult and so I would have to talk
difficult and so I would have to talk
difficult and so I would have to talk myself down to say
myself down to say
myself down to say trying to be rude you’re not saying
trying to be rude you’re not saying
trying to be rude you’re not saying anything bad about me because I’m
anything bad about me because I’m
anything bad about me because I’m fair-skinned and at the same time you
fair-skinned and at the same time you
fair-skinned and at the same time you was difficult it was really difficult
was difficult it was really difficult
was difficult it was really difficult experience it was a great opportunity
experience it was a great opportunity
experience it was a great opportunity for me to experience what it’s like to
for me to experience what it’s like to
for me to experience what it’s like to be different show it picture here of the
be different show it picture here of the
be different show it picture here of the market because when I would go to the
market because when I would go to the
market because when I would go to the market that’s where the sellers of
market that’s where the sellers of
market that’s where the sellers of various goods would often say he boat a
various goods would often say he boat a
various goods would often say he boat a they wanted me to come over and
they wanted me to come over and
they wanted me to come over and purchases from them and part of again
purchases from them and part of again
purchases from them and part of again the culture can you can go to purchase
the culture can you can go to purchase
the culture can you can go to purchase something there are no price tags okay
something there are no price tags okay
something there are no price tags okay you never know how much something costs
you never know how much something costs
you never know how much something costs so when you go to the market it’s all
so when you go to the market it’s all
so when you go to the market it’s all about bargaining determining what the
about bargaining determining what the
about bargaining determining what the cost might be whenever I as the photo is
cost might be whenever I as the photo is
cost might be whenever I as the photo is a whiteboard herbs walking into market
a whiteboard herbs walking into market
a whiteboard herbs walking into market market any price it was stated for me
market any price it was stated for me
market any price it was stated for me was always four to five times higher
was always four to five times higher
was always four to five times higher than what the other people’s prices with
than what the other people’s prices with
than what the other people’s prices with me and that was okay I had more money
me and that was okay I had more money
me and that was okay I had more money and so that was sort of expected but I
and so that was sort of expected but I
and so that was sort of expected but I was not expected to pay that price to
was not expected to pay that price to
was not expected to pay that price to four or five times more what they had I
four or five times more what they had I
four or five times more what they had I was expected to borrow her harder and I
was expected to borrow her harder and I
was expected to borrow her harder and I was expected to engage in a conversation
was expected to engage in a conversation
was expected to engage in a conversation so here in the United States would like
so here in the United States would like
so here in the United States would like to run to the store we run and we run
to run to the store we run and we run
to run to the store we run and we run out we’re hoping that the lines you
out we’re hoping that the lines you
out we’re hoping that the lines you really quit but no one’s going to hold
really quit but no one’s going to hold
really quit but no one’s going to hold us up you’re expected to have a
us up you’re expected to have a
us up you’re expected to have a conversation the conversation never
conversation the conversation never
conversation the conversation never begins with how much does that cost the
begins with how much does that cost the
begins with how much does that cost the conversation always begins with hi how
conversation always begins with hi how
conversation always begins with hi how are you doing how’s your mom how’s your
are you doing how’s your mom how’s your
are you doing how’s your mom how’s your dad how’s your spouse are your kids what
dad how’s your spouse are your kids what
dad how’s your spouse are your kids what are you doing tonight what’d you do
are you doing tonight what’d you do
are you doing tonight what’d you do yesterday things are good yeah so what
yesterday things are good yeah so what
yesterday things are good yeah so what do you think about that uh it’s a cloth
do you think about that uh it’s a cloth
do you think about that uh it’s a cloth over there unless you think it is oh you
over there unless you think it is oh you
over there unless you think it is oh you think your mom would like it you think
think your mom would like it you think
think your mom would like it you think your dad would like my sister so it’s
your dad would like my sister so it’s
your dad would like my sister so it’s always a conversation like a 20-minute
always a conversation like a 20-minute
always a conversation like a 20-minute conversation
conversation
conversation this was like agonized again it’s
this was like agonized again it’s
this was like agonized again it’s American the last thing you want to do
American the last thing you want to do
American the last thing you want to do really that’s I wanted to do was barter
really that’s I wanted to do was barter
really that’s I wanted to do was barter I just want to know how much does it
I just want to know how much does it
I just want to know how much does it cost let me pay to get out of here I
cost let me pay to get out of here I
cost let me pay to get out of here I learned that was rude and I had to talk
learned that was rude and I had to talk
learned that was rude and I had to talk we had to talk and that was part of
we had to talk and that was part of
we had to talk and that was part of making connection and really became a
making connection and really became a
making connection and really became a lot of fun I have to admit there was one
lot of fun I have to admit there was one
lot of fun I have to admit there was one time when I was in the capital conakry
time when I was in the capital conakry
time when I was in the capital conakry and I was bartered bartering against her
and I was bartered bartering against her
and I was bartered bartering against her some cloth at one point it was a long
some cloth at one point it was a long
some cloth at one point it was a long exchange the very end of it when I
exchange the very end of it when I
exchange the very end of it when I finally got the deal that I wanted the
finally got the deal that I wanted the
finally got the deal that I wanted the gentleman symphony man you’re hard at
gentleman symphony man you’re hard at
gentleman symphony man you’re hard at that point was the best best compliment
that point was the best best compliment
that point was the best best compliment I got the entire time I was there
I got the entire time I was there
I got the entire time I was there because it meant that I can learn head
because it meant that I can learn head
because it meant that I can learn head bargain so one of the things about
bargain so one of the things about
bargain so one of the things about living abroad it comes a point when you
living abroad it comes a point when you
living abroad it comes a point when you are not shocked by anything anymore so
are not shocked by anything anymore so
are not shocked by anything anymore so all the things that seems really
all the things that seems really
all the things that seems really different to you while you were there
different to you while you were there
different to you while you were there suddenly aren’t that different anymore
suddenly aren’t that different anymore
suddenly aren’t that different anymore this is a picture of a taxi brousse when
this is a picture of a taxi brousse when
this is a picture of a taxi brousse when you are traveling and getting you always
you are traveling and getting you always
you are traveling and getting you always have to travel by taxi there are no
have to travel by taxi there are no
have to travel by taxi there are no individual cars which controls don’t own
individual cars which controls don’t own
individual cars which controls don’t own cars you travel together so you go to
cars you travel together so you go to
cars you travel together so you go to the taxi station and there’s no
the taxi station and there’s no
the taxi station and there’s no particular taxi leaving at eleven
particular taxi leaving at eleven
particular taxi leaving at eleven o’clock so if you show up at whatever
o’clock so if you show up at whatever
o’clock so if you show up at whatever time you have to wait to the taxis full
time you have to wait to the taxis full
time you have to wait to the taxis full before it takes off which could be all
before it takes off which could be all
before it takes off which could be all day could be until the next day you
day could be until the next day you
day could be until the next day you never know how long we’re gonna be
never know how long we’re gonna be
never know how long we’re gonna be waiting for the next fri to get yourself
waiting for the next fri to get yourself
waiting for the next fri to get yourself to the town and what you’ll notice of
to the town and what you’ll notice of
to the town and what you’ll notice of course are all the things that are piled
course are all the things that are piled
course are all the things that are piled on top I was completely normal the first
on top I was completely normal the first
on top I was completely normal the first time I saw it I thought you how can that
time I saw it I thought you how can that
time I saw it I thought you how can that be safe and gentlemen hanging off the
be safe and gentlemen hanging off the
be safe and gentlemen hanging off the back that’s nothing half the time I hear
back that’s nothing half the time I hear
back that’s nothing half the time I hear things like goats and chickens hanging
things like goats and chickens hanging
things like goats and chickens hanging off the fact that they strapped on and
off the fact that they strapped on and
off the fact that they strapped on and again all I kept resent boys oh my
again all I kept resent boys oh my
again all I kept resent boys oh my goodness is the people at PETA ever saw
goodness is the people at PETA ever saw
goodness is the people at PETA ever saw this they’ve never allowed right but
this they’ve never allowed right but
this they’ve never allowed right but they getting us wait
they getting us wait
they getting us wait you’re done when I finished my
you’re done when I finished my
you’re done when I finished my assignment I came home and really
assignment I came home and really
assignment I came home and really excited to come back to the United
excited to come back to the United
excited to come back to the United States I can actually came to New York
States I can actually came to New York
States I can actually came to New York City after I between West Africa and I’m
City after I between West Africa and I’m
City after I between West Africa and I’m not a native New Yorker but I am at
not a native New Yorker but I am at
not a native New Yorker but I am at least coaster when I came back to New
least coaster when I came back to New
least coaster when I came back to New York I was really excited to be
York I was really excited to be
York I was really excited to be anonymous I was excited to be able to
anonymous I was excited to be able to
anonymous I was excited to be able to walk down the street for nobody to care
walk down the street for nobody to care
walk down the street for nobody to care who I was or what I was doing I didn’t
who I was or what I was doing I didn’t
who I was or what I was doing I didn’t have to represent the United States you
have to represent the United States you
have to represent the United States you behave in any particular way like I said
behave in any particular way like I said
behave in any particular way like I said I was completely anonymous but at the
I was completely anonymous but at the
I was completely anonymous but at the same time there were certain things that
same time there were certain things that
same time there were certain things that I came back that I realized things that
I came back that I realized things that
I came back that I realized things that I thought that I would enjoy and I
I thought that I would enjoy and I
I thought that I would enjoy and I didn’t enjoy quite so much anymore so
didn’t enjoy quite so much anymore so
didn’t enjoy quite so much anymore so for example supermarket took me a solid
for example supermarket took me a solid
for example supermarket took me a solid year before I was comfortable going to
year before I was comfortable going to
year before I was comfortable going to regular grocery store because there was
regular grocery store because there was
regular grocery store because there was too much to choose from I didn’t know
too much to choose from I didn’t know
too much to choose from I didn’t know where to start and I was completely
where to start and I was completely
where to start and I was completely overwhelmed and the markets in Gainey
overwhelmed and the markets in Gainey
overwhelmed and the markets in Gainey you had no choices it was always like
you had no choices it was always like
you had no choices it was always like three or four things whatever happened
three or four things whatever happened
three or four things whatever happened to be in the harvest that’s what you ate
to be in the harvest that’s what you ate
to be in the harvest that’s what you ate that’s what you bought coming back to us
that’s what you bought coming back to us
that’s what you bought coming back to us I didn’t know what to do with the
I didn’t know what to do with the
I didn’t know what to do with the supermarket’s the other thing is when I
supermarket’s the other thing is when I
supermarket’s the other thing is when I was in getting there’s a lot of talk
was in getting there’s a lot of talk
was in getting there’s a lot of talk about how wealthy Americans were and as
about how wealthy Americans were and as
about how wealthy Americans were and as a recent college graduates saddled with
a recent college graduates saddled with
a recent college graduates saddled with college loans when I was making a
college loans when I was making a
college loans when I was making a hundred eighty dollars a month as a
hundred eighty dollars a month as a
hundred eighty dollars a month as a Peace Corps volunteer I didn’t feel like
Peace Corps volunteer I didn’t feel like
Peace Corps volunteer I didn’t feel like I had a lot of money and so this
I had a lot of money and so this
I had a lot of money and so this conception that I was somehow well thing
conception that I was somehow well thing
conception that I was somehow well thing to me seem laughable when I came back to
to me seem laughable when I came back to
to me seem laughable when I came back to the United States and just driving from
the United States and just driving from
the United States and just driving from the airport on the highway sink all the
the airport on the highway sink all the
the airport on the highway sink all the incredibly shiny cars as compared to
incredibly shiny cars as compared to
incredibly shiny cars as compared to what i have seen in getting my first
what i have seen in getting my first
what i have seen in getting my first thought was my god right were wealthy i
thought was my god right were wealthy i
thought was my god right were wealthy i had no idea until I gone somewhere else
had no idea until I gone somewhere else
had no idea until I gone somewhere else and came back himself from very very
and came back himself from very very
and came back himself from very very different eyes
when I suffered while I was there that
when I suffered while I was there that perspective is something that shifts
perspective is something that shifts
perspective is something that shifts based on where you are if you have our
based on where you are if you have our
based on where you are if you have our head experience and going to the beach
head experience and going to the beach
head experience and going to the beach and you put your towel you put your
and you put your towel you put your
and you put your towel you put your umbrella on the stand and wait out into
umbrella on the stand and wait out into
umbrella on the stand and wait out into the water and you’re swimming you’re
the water and you’re swimming you’re
the water and you’re swimming you’re enjoying yourself and so what you stop
enjoying yourself and so what you stop
enjoying yourself and so what you stop and you look back to Serie beach
and you look back to Serie beach
and you look back to Serie beach umbrella and tower and it’s not there
umbrella and tower and it’s not there
umbrella and tower and it’s not there right we realize that its way down the
right we realize that its way down the
right we realize that its way down the other side of the beach that you’ve been
other side of the beach that you’ve been
other side of the beach that you’ve been sweat slowly aside by by the current to
sweat slowly aside by by the current to
sweat slowly aside by by the current to another portion of the beach that’s what
another portion of the beach that’s what
another portion of the beach that’s what happens when you travel somewhere else
happens when you travel somewhere else
happens when you travel somewhere else and live among the people we live among
and live among the people we live among
and live among the people we live among the culture you begin to realize that
the culture you begin to realize that
the culture you begin to realize that your perspective is completely shifted
your perspective is completely shifted
your perspective is completely shifted and what you were expecting to see you
and what you were expecting to see you
and what you were expecting to see you you’re no longer going to see I know
you’re no longer going to see I know
you’re no longer going to see I know that there are a lot of seniors who are
that there are a lot of seniors who are
that there are a lot of seniors who are in the audience tonight and you’re going
in the audience tonight and you’re going
in the audience tonight and you’re going to be graduating soon and heading off to
to be graduating soon and heading off to
to be graduating soon and heading off to college and as you go to college we have
college and as you go to college we have
college and as you go to college we have the opportunity to be in a completely
the opportunity to be in a completely
the opportunity to be in a completely different environment for your
different environment for your
different environment for your perspective and your assumptions not
perspective and your assumptions not
perspective and your assumptions not like we’re going to challenge it’s a
like we’re going to challenge it’s a
like we’re going to challenge it’s a fabulous dirty you don’t need to go to
fabulous dirty you don’t need to go to
fabulous dirty you don’t need to go to West Africa for guinea to have a
West Africa for guinea to have a
West Africa for guinea to have a perspective reshaped you simply put
perspective reshaped you simply put
perspective reshaped you simply put yourself into positions that make you
yourself into positions that make you
yourself into positions that make you uncomfortable it will happen thank you
uncomfortable it will happen thank you
uncomfortable it will happen thank you [Applause]
”
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