Bats in the Bellfree

There were several times that we had chances to speak with current Peace Corps Volunteers over the last couple weeks. The one thing I always asked was if there was a specific time that they just sat back and said, "Wow, I really am in Africa." To which there was a varied response; some good some bad. Some people cried because they couldn't speak to their host family, some struggled with washing clothes in a bucket or they were homesick. Some when they saw a lion, or an elephant for the first time did it really hit them that they were living in Africa. My realization came all too soon.

So I have been here for a couple days and I have been putting off pooping in a hole. The place we stayed at last week had western toilets, so I would always just go in my room. No big deal. But here at the homestay we don't have that luxury, it is literally a hole in the ground. So last night I proceed to take my first of many, many bucket baths. It is pretty much just a bucket of warm water and a bar of soap, nothing out of the ordinary. So this bathing takes place in the "bathroom." A roofless room on the side of the house with a door made out of palm frawns. The evening was particularly amazing, the stars here are beyond words, I don't know if it has to do with less pollution, or lack of electricity, or whatever, but the night sky is so sick.

Anyways, so here I am, getting naked, starting my bucket bath. I move the cover off the poo-hole because I figured since I was in there I might as well releave myself. I decided that tonight was the night I was going to become a man and poop in a hole. I begin to pee and since im doing this all by flashlight I realize this hole is pretty intense. It's not just a hole into dirt, but a hole that goes down into what looks like a big ass cavern. I admire the hole and begin to prepare myself for my first ever poop in the wild. Just as I am about to squat over the hole... A BAT FLYS OUT@! Yes, the hole I am supposed to be squatting over! A fucking bat. I quickly cover the hole, as to prevent further creatures from coming out, Turns out it couldn't have been more of a mistake. The bat lived down there and wanted to get back in, but couldn't because I covered the hole! He just keeps swooping in at me trying to get back in. All the while, I am freaking out, because other than my flashlight it is pitch black, all I can see/hear is a screaching bat swooping in for the kill.

So here I am, completely naked, covered in soap suds, swatting and screaming at a rabid homeless bat in the middle of nowhere. All while trying to bathe from a bucket and poop in a hole!

I don't know what else to say other than, "Wow, I really am in Africa."


Cheers,
Jayce