Everything is a lesson and everyone has something to learn

So I live in this incredible house (the picture does not do it justice) with these incredibly sweet people and I couldn't ask for more while I am adjusting to things in Martinique. As I was telling Joscelin today, everything here is an adjustment for me-- the language, the appliances, social cues, toutes les choses. But I am surrounded by folks who are constantly encouraging me, taking the time to explain things one, two, or three more times, and constantly making jokes. It is great to be surrounded by such light hearted folks, they really are a riot.

 Yesterday, I went with Joscelin and his friend (who also comes from Toulouse) on a day hike through le Parc Naturel Régional de la Martinique, which is across the island, on the eastern coast. It was essentially incredible. Check it out.

Most impressive bug bite thus far: 
It's a toss up between the one I had on my lip this morning (making the left side of my bottom lip bigger than my face) and the one I have on my thigh which is the size of a 50 cent piece (I wish I were exaggerating.)


I've learned about a trillion things since I arrived. Here are a couple that are standing out:

How to use a gas stove. Yes, it felt silly that I had to ask, but it was one of those reminders that if I don't ask, I'm gonna have a hell of a time figuring things out on my own-- that is, if I figure it out. I'm learning not to be embarrassed when I have to ask questions-- especially because that's become about a once every 5 minutes ordeal. I'm also learning not to apologize for this and instead to vocalize how grateful I am to be surrounded by folks who I can learn from.

If you are kind and greet others with a smile and a "bonjour," chances are they will return the gesture. Last night, Youma went into great detail with me about how to be a sweet, white girl, but how to also be firm with my "au revoirs" when it is time to leave.

More than just taking the time to greet others, I've learned that you must also take the time to check in with folks and really hear where they're at. Example: "How are you? How's your family? How are things going with school? Work? Animals?..." This may seem obvious, but I have never seen people have such engaged, sincere conversations with les gens plus ou moins inconnus. As Joscelin explained to me today, these folks are not strangers, they are people that you haven't gotten to know yet. This means that everything takes about four times as long as it would in the U.S.

Patience. I had a meeting at my university today at 9h00. I left at 11h30. I spent about 17 minutes talking with my coordinators. The rest was waiting while they talked to other folks. To be honest, I didn't really mind. I'm learning that it's just kind of one of those things where time is just a number... so I've been trying to leave my watch at home. 

The conversation that has got me thinking the most was with a five-year-old child. When I told him how impressive it was that he speaks three languages, he response was honest, insightful, and heartbreaking. He said: "I speak three languages because I have to. White people don't speak many languages. They don't know anything. They don't even try to understand." My only response to him was: "I think you're right. It's very sad, but I think 'tu as raison.'"