The Last Bit

--Is their friendliness genuine? Why do you think they're so generous?

I think I can understand where you're coming from with this question. It is hard to imagine that every person in a country is so flipping nice, and I suppose they're not. It is customary to offer what you are eating/drinking to everyone around you, but that's similar to Americans waiting to eat until everyone is sitting down. It's just what is considered manners. The fact that Mauritanians are so generous with their living spaces (willingly opening up rooms for strangers and what not) is just ingrained as what one does. Also, pretty much everyone is family in one aspect or another, so perhaps they just function with the assumption that they are all related.

--Do they have TV or know anything about how the rest of the world lives?

They probably know more about American rappers than I do- at least the young people do. Also, some of the American history knowledge is astounding. These are educated men, usually. Women that have gone to minimal school know less about the States. Despite what they do know, it is impossible to explain the vast differences between home and here. I can hardly fathom America in all its excessiveness sometimes, let alone describe a shopping mall or amusement park to someone who has only ever seen three small villages in southern Mauritania.


--If they do, are they jealous?

America is considered a mecca of opportunity and goodness. It is assumed that everyone wants to go there, and they are proud when they have family living there. Jealous is probably not the word. It is amazingly expensive to apply for the papers to get to the states, so I think often it is just an out of reach paradise.


--Are people dying from malnutrition around you? Or maybe malaria? Is death common? What do they do with the dead? Are babies born at home with midwives?

Whoa. Yes, children die from diarrhea and other results of malnutrition all the time. Women die while giving birth way more often than children. Malaria is incredibly common and is the most common cause of death. Just during the two months we've been here, I have heard of about 10 people (several children) having died in the host families of Peace Corps people. Death is seen as Allah's will. I don't know what happens to the dead bodies. Yes, all babies are born at home. Hopefully there's a midwife around, but sometimes they just hope for the best. Medical resources, in the small villages, is laughable.

What a nice positive note to end on. Cheers.