wet skirt
a quick story, since lunch is being served on the balcony as I type:
Yesterday, after a peace corps brunch, we had a couple of hours to kill. We (a few other trainees and I) crossed the extremely busy street in front of our retreat center to pass those hours chatting at a little bar. After a while I asked a current volunteer to ask our waitress if there was a latrine somewhere nearby that I could use, since I had just thrown back a big bottle of water and a beer. So when she got a free moment, the waitress brought me back a few blocks to her house, where her mama was washing clothes in the yard. She motioned towards a corner of the yard where I could take care of things. And you know, no biggee. I've gone camping, I've had to do the squatting business. Piece o'cake.
But I've never done it in a skirt before.
And I got pee on my skirt.
And I speak no French.
The waitress noticed, and somehow I knew how to ask for a little water, but she and her mama had already run over with a bowl of soapy water. They helped me scrub it out, laughing and smiling the entire time. After she rinsed off her face and feet (Beninese are very, very clean), she ran into the house to get me some perfume to spray on my big ol wet skirt.
And though I never expected to be able to say that I'm glad I peed on my own skirt, I'm pretty glad, because this girl and her mom were so nice to me. It was amazing. After saying merci beaucoup a million times we raced (literally, and I lost) back to the bar where I told everyone about how wonderful our waitress is, and how incapable I am of squatting to pee in a skirt.
Something tells me things are going to be alright around here.
Yesterday, after a peace corps brunch, we had a couple of hours to kill. We (a few other trainees and I) crossed the extremely busy street in front of our retreat center to pass those hours chatting at a little bar. After a while I asked a current volunteer to ask our waitress if there was a latrine somewhere nearby that I could use, since I had just thrown back a big bottle of water and a beer. So when she got a free moment, the waitress brought me back a few blocks to her house, where her mama was washing clothes in the yard. She motioned towards a corner of the yard where I could take care of things. And you know, no biggee. I've gone camping, I've had to do the squatting business. Piece o'cake.
But I've never done it in a skirt before.
And I got pee on my skirt.
And I speak no French.
The waitress noticed, and somehow I knew how to ask for a little water, but she and her mama had already run over with a bowl of soapy water. They helped me scrub it out, laughing and smiling the entire time. After she rinsed off her face and feet (Beninese are very, very clean), she ran into the house to get me some perfume to spray on my big ol wet skirt.
And though I never expected to be able to say that I'm glad I peed on my own skirt, I'm pretty glad, because this girl and her mom were so nice to me. It was amazing. After saying merci beaucoup a million times we raced (literally, and I lost) back to the bar where I told everyone about how wonderful our waitress is, and how incapable I am of squatting to pee in a skirt.
Something tells me things are going to be alright around here.
posted by betsie at 4:37 AM
4 Comments:
Betsie...you're hilarious. Man, those people do sound nice. Us camping people know exactly what to do when there's no bathroom. Well Hawaii is fantastic, one of the best states in America in my opinion. I hope that you did well on your placement test.
I'm glad things are looking good for you.
Later.
Betsie,
Of all the folks I know, you are part of the few and proud who could see the good in peeing on your skirt. good job my friend.
jason
that is really sick
Betsie, even as far away as Africa, you tell stories like no one else.
And thanks for the heads up- I won't try squatting in a skirt anytime soon. I'm in the middle of writing you a letter, hopefully you get it sooner, rather than later...
Post a Comment
<< Home