These look like very happy people. Children often have to size you up before they get friendly. Your white face probably doesn't help either. What does it feel like to be in the minority?
Indeed, they are quite happy people and amongst my best friends in the village. Unfortunately, though, one of them just moved because she was transferred to Kandi.
Most children under four here are scared of me when they first see me, but they gradually learn not to be. Another colleague's daughter was scared of me when she first saw me, but now she is used to me and seems to take a certain pride in the fact that she has an "in" with the batoure. My neighbor's young sons no longer run in fear, but they are still a bit nervous. One of them has taken to greeting me when I arrive, repeating the same greeting over and over and forcing me to respond over and over.
As for being in the minority, I already had that experience when I lived in India. However, living as a minority in a big city (New Delhi) is quite different from a small village (Sonsoro). In Sonsoro, I am the local celebrity. Some people seem to burst with excitement just to say hello to me. However, there are definitely downsides. Nothing I do goes unnoticed. Sometimes I miss my anonymity.
Now you know what it feels like being a Hollywood star. Well maybe, not quite. Children are interesting. They do seem to have a sixth sense about how people feel about them and respond accordingly. So glad, they are no longer screaming in fear.
These look like very happy people. Children often have to size you up before they get friendly. Your white face probably doesn't help either. What does it feel like to be in the minority?
ReplyDeleteJean Ralley
Indeed, they are quite happy people and amongst my best friends in the village. Unfortunately, though, one of them just moved because she was transferred to Kandi.
ReplyDeleteMost children under four here are scared of me when they first see me, but they gradually learn not to be. Another colleague's daughter was scared of me when she first saw me, but now she is used to me and seems to take a certain pride in the fact that she has an "in" with the batoure. My neighbor's young sons no longer run in fear, but they are still a bit nervous. One of them has taken to greeting me when I arrive, repeating the same greeting over and over and forcing me to respond over and over.
As for being in the minority, I already had that experience when I lived in India. However, living as a minority in a big city (New Delhi) is quite different from a small village (Sonsoro). In Sonsoro, I am the local celebrity. Some people seem to burst with excitement just to say hello to me. However, there are definitely downsides. Nothing I do goes unnoticed. Sometimes I miss my anonymity.
Now you know what it feels like being a Hollywood star. Well maybe, not quite. Children are interesting. They do seem to have a sixth sense about how people feel about them and respond accordingly. So glad, they are no longer screaming in fear.
ReplyDeleteJean Ralley