If I had a bucket list...

...and I don't, but if I did- I imagine some things that occurred this week would be checked off, as well as undesired experiences.

Learn African dance: check. we can all thank Katherine for taking me out to the neighborhood hang out, where I picked up some fresh moves and performed essentially in the middle of the circle with Cecily. But sadly, our lesson was cut short by rain.

Experience most uncomfortable drive of my life: unwanted check. For some reason, even though this drive was shorter than the road to Nimba, it surpassed it in discomfort. For starters, even though I had my man Jones driving, our usual car was not present. We had a smaller car, with seats in the back as well- bench style- but not the same amount of leg room. So six of us + our bags left Danny and I cramped in the back with no break for stretching of my legs. That + the rain + the fact the door of the car was not closed all the way= water pouring all our closet person to the door= me= not happy. So now I am cramped and wet, and by this point we happen to reach the end of the good road, so now bumps and head swinging here and there + the banging of the door which isn't fully closed= me over the edge vexed. I think this was the first time I was truly just unpleasant and I had no intention of changing that once the car ride stopped, until I had time to relax and listen to my ipod.

Eat hidden (fresh) fish: call is still being decided. Now in my later years I have developed my appetite to usually eat anything or try everything. Though, whole fish or fillet fish I don't normally enjoy. And so I have tried to hold an open mind here, but this people keep challenging me. We pulled up for lunch and was told there was ust palm oil rice- okay sounds plain enough- nope. Its rice, yes, but with the "soup" on the side- which is redish and has a whole fish-bones and all in it- yumm. And this was not my only encounter with fish- they also dry the fish- like jerky and I was offered some. That time I said nope.

Most Sleepless night: unwanted check. Let me set the scene for ya'll. We had a one level house to ourselves- which looked great. There was five bedrooms and five of us- two bathrooms a living room and a front patio. Spacious. The rooms weren't lavish, but had a full size mattress on the ground and a electricity that we paid extra for from 7-7. Now I don't expect much and actually pride myself on being able to fall alseep anywhere- so I tried to live up to this claim night one. Well, that failed. I slept on the mattress for a whole half hour- and then moved to the wooden couch to "sleep". Between things crawling around, and the hot air + noises from all around outside it proved difficult. So trying for night two- changing it up and putting my mattress in the living room to try and cach the cross breeze, but no. Earlier that night, all of us sitting out in front with lights off inside heard a disturbing pounding and cat noises. Investigating, we found out a cat lives in the ceiling and there is a hole where it could possible enter the house- so scratch the living room. I moved into someone elses room with my mattress and thought this would make me feel better having roommates to rely. And sure enough it would prove instrumental as at 1:30 am I hear a noise. And after listening closely for 30 minutes I call out to Jessica and Cecily to turn on the light and we catch a mouse. Yes, we knew they were around, but we actually caught it in the bag and had to bring it outside. Night two therefore also proved as a dud for sleeping. But thankfully, with this lack of sleep + working during the day I passed out the third night and did not wake until at least 3:30am- progress..

Watch rare lunar eclipse: check. So considering I could probably run into more "widlife" in the house, we spent a good time on the porch. And good thing too because Wednesday night, we saw the moon wasn't as bright or high as normal- so we watched and sure enough an eclipse was beginning to take place. Along with this children started drumming for the eclipse from all sides around our house and did not cease until it was complete. And the greatness was multiplied by the fact we all stayed up to watch it and Jones joined us. Just when I think he is a simple man- he starts talking about defying gravity boots and all these books he reads, just a wonderful surprise.

Become an African child: check. Now I am certainly a proud Italian-American, but most of us know my 'secret' desire to be something else and today, I was temporarily adopted as an African child. It was The Day of the African Child, remembering those children in Soweto South Africa in 1976 who died during a protest. So we marched in Roberts Port, Cape Mount, Liberia to celebrate and raise awareness this year for street children. We also got to sit on stage- cause we are white, so we must be important here, or so it seems to go- and watch students perform dramas on issues the community faces. And yes I recognize the counter intuitiveness of sitting a few people on the stage and having the performances take place on the level floor.
This aside, considering my parents were not present, the community accepted all of us as African children. Woot woot- I'll take it for an hour. Plus I turned to Jones and then asked him if he wants another kid, plus father's day is on Sunday- so really its a win win..he is considering it. Anthony Castelli, maybe you can sway him but enlightening him on the perks of having me as a daughter.

Drive a standard car: check. Now I enjoyed my week immensely- but this was truly a highlight like no other. Jones, let me drive the car. I had been telling him I drive automatic at home and have never tried standard- though in theory I understand how. So out in Cape Mount I took the car for a spin, and Jones said if he had to score me he would get me an 80% on the account that the first time I turned the car on it stalled. But after that it was all uphill!

All these highlights together- Cape Mount really was a great escape. The landscape was beautiful with a mix of lush greens and hills and a beautiful beach that we went to twice. Though the waves were very intimidating, crashing right on the shore line. It was great to get out of the city,even if I experienced discomfort along the way. And any challenging experience just makes me handle the next one better. Also the training we held for high school students was fun and challenging- making me feel productive. And now we are back in Monrovia, getting ready for the next ten days we have left here in Liberia...lemme hear you say HEYY!