July 30, 2003
Assalamu Alaykum from Mauritania! Roughly translated, this traditional greeting means "Peace be upon you." And, if there is one thing I feel more than anything else here, it is peace. Despite the tensions that exist among many different people in the world, I feel overwhelmingly warm and welcome as an American in an Islamic country.
Mauritania is certainly a difficult place, especially for a foreign woman. Yet, I feel incredibly lucky to be here, particularly at this time in history. Others may disagree, but there is something about this place that is so mystical and enchanting. The country is so barren and desolate, yet it has an aura of grandeur about it. It is filled with trash and disease, yet it is so pure and stark. The people have so little, yet they have so much.
It is so completely different from the States in every way imaginable. Perhaps it is the fact that every bit of it is foreign to me. Of perhaps it is that every day for the next two plus years I will be challenging myself as I have never done before. Or perhaps it is because I have been given an incredible opportunity. I may not make much of a difference here (and, I'm pretty sure I won't), but the experience of living and working in one of the poorest and harshest countries in the world will forever change me. In fact, it already has.
Until next time!
Peace,
Janine
