I finally got to go running today! I haven’t been able to jog for 2 weeks now, and feeling a bit lumpy. All the sitting, reading and working on the computer can’t be the greatest for me since I am used to a very active life. Unfortunately, it’s a been a logistical process to try to organize a run, since I am not allowed to leave the compound unaccompanied. One colleague mentioned to me that he knew that one of the UN expats based in Duékoué runs every morning, and so I should try to join him. Okay? And how was I to do that? I actually haven’t met any other expats here yet, from any of the agencies. Thankfully, the director of logistics and security here, who is quickly becoming my savior and pal, decided she wanted to try exercising again, because it had been a long time!
I hoped that my white and purple nike running set wasn’t too flashy, but then she showed up all decked out in a Bulls bball outfit! I wondered where we could even run as we departed from the compound. The village here is just dirt roads and shacks. And…that’s where we ran, down the dirt roads, causing quite a stir! Everyone was staring, again I felt totally out of place. Women were walking past in their beautiful, colorful dresses, huge baskets on their heads & staring at the two women running in their strange American clothes. The men laughed and called out some things in french I didn’t understand. I had to pay strict attention to the dirt paths, because they were not flat or smooth. They were full of holes, patches of grass and shrubbery, and full of garbage. There was garbage everywhere. After 20 minutes, she said we had to turn back, there was no other ways that we could continue that were safe. As we made our way, retracing the route, I twisted my ankle pretty bad on a huge hole, but tried to be a trooper and continued to jog.
When we were almost at the compound, a small group of children saw us and started chattering loudly and laughing. And then the funniest thing happened. They excitedly started running after us, yelling “La Blanche!” “La Blanche!” “La Blanche!” Estelle laughed her ass off! I didn’t know what was happening. I’m thinking who are they talking about? Neither of us are white! I realized it was at me, as security opened the gate for us and fended off the children, also laughing. “C’est à moi?” I asked, and in fits of laughter she replied, “Oui!!! Ton peau!” Yes, I guess my skin is white. A weird revelation, since I have never considered myself to be white, or yellow for that matter!
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