Guinea (yes, again!): Roum Beach

Some mornings, I wake up here so happy and at peace. I think of the generosity of many that I've met here, the incremental progress of my research, and the fun that I have with my friends whether we're eating at my favorite Cameroonian restaurant or hitting the town. In those moments, I can't help but hold up a glass of wine, preferably while in my PJs, and smile.

The best meal in Conkary, hands down. Milo Melo's.

Some mornings, I wake up grumpy as all (you know what). I mean, just angry that 12 pm means 1:30 pm to someone I have a meeting with, that "a plan" feels half-hazard and last-minute, that the patrons (bosses) act like they're too important to give you the time of day even though you're both at the same event doing the same thing, that nothing is going the way I would have organized it. Argh!

In those moments, I journal and I reflect, recalling the times that make my smile. I started a list of the things I have loved about my time in Guinea, and I have to share what has been one of my most special experiences so far: the beach!

Catching a pirogue to take us to Roum, one of the nearby islands.
(We paid 300k GNF round-trip.)

Let the fun begin for our 30 minute boat ride...

The remains of a mountain that a company blew up to
start mining, and then left...

Made it! We brought a cooler of snacks, rented a
Cabana (right, 100k), and made ourselves comfortable!

Ahh, the beach! The view from our Cabana!

And what beach experience is complete with a photo shoot?

With some local guides, went for a hike up the side of a mountain.

Beautiful views at the top!

Clearly calls for another photo shoot!

On the way back down, ran into Obama,
a president that I already miss.

Our afternoon was filled with grilled seafood,
and freshly tapped palm wine. 

Some local Rastas sang to me and my friends.

 After more fun in the sun and a really nice beach nap, it was time to go back to Conakry.

Passed a shipwreck along the way, which apparently you can
see all of during low tide.

Pulling up next to the fishing docks as we reach shore.

The day trip to Roum Beach was le paradis!

Guinea (yes, again!): Cheers to 2017

2017 started out a little...well...slow. I woke up with a massive headache. There was a problem with every item I ordered for my New Year's Day brunch. And I was planning another research trip across the globe to Guinea, with no idea on where I would stay or how I would event get out of the airport! Sure, these were all minor problems in the context of life, but on the first day of what I decided would be a fabulous new year, they kind of sucked. 

Day 2 of the new year continued this trend, though I was determined to keep a positive attitude. I couldn’t sleep a wink on my disappointing United Airlines flight. The terrible food was topped only by the melted butter that spilled all over my favorite sweater. I was hungry and tired (a terrible combination for me). I mean really – seriously! – I exclaimed aloud as a looked to the ceiling of the airplane – Can’t I get a break?!

Just when I was ready to give up on the new year, I ran into a friend on my second flight to Guinea (one of the two Americans there that I know). It was unbelievably serendipitous - she was sitting in a cabin in front of mine but came on the flight late and had to look for storage in the back for her suitcase, "coincidentally" passing by my seat. We had great conversation and have stayed connected almost daily in my first week back abroad.

And, as soon as we got off the aircraft, another “miracle” occurred. I was telling my friend there would be no VIP treatment this time, and would you believe that my host from last summer who didn’t even know my flight schedule came to the airport to get me and arranged my housing again?

The past week-and-a-half have been fraught with these moments of extreme distress and frustration followed by unbelievable comfort and joy. A terrible cold/flu that kept me homebound during my first week back in Guinea was met with friends who passed by to check on me and even brought me soup! A failed start with my old research assistant was replaced with the hope of a new one in within 24 hours. And as a recent visit with one of my research participants from last June (and several members of her family) today revealed, my network here may not be huge, but it is quality.

I’ll probably still have an existential crisis tomorrow. I’ll probably worry endlessly and maybe even shed some tears over the mishaps that will inevitably come. But I’ll also refer to this blog post repeatedly to remind myself that there is a plan so much bigger than me that has already been put in place, and that it really is all going to be more than okay.

This is Take 1 Take 2 Take 3 of 2017, which promises to be the most fabulous year yet! It's the year of Fitness, Fashion, and Fun (my personal mantra for this year). It's the year of finishing my dissertation (pleasssse be the year of finishing my dissertation!). It's the year of blessings to be received and shared and enjoyed. 

2016 ended well with a little Mickey time...

...a little family time...

...and of course a fabulous NYE selfie!