Getting Settled - Week #1

So, I moved into my apartment over the weekend. It's the "suite" on the top floor of a six-story building (with no elevator), so I will definitely get in better shape this year. ha! Views of the ocean in every direction. Small kitchen, 2 bedrooms, living room, bathroom (with hot water). Air-conditioning, thank goodness. Daily maid service. A block away from the US Ambassador's residence and the Embassy pool. Nice neighbors too (from Itlay!).

It might sound like paradise, but every day there are small reminders that I am in the developing world (power outages, garbage, street children). But compared to Tanzania (where I spent a year working for Global Volunteers), this is definitely "Africa lite".

Still trying to figure out my work projects. I have met with everyone from Peace Corps to the Ministry of Education, and they all want me to be their slave...So I need to lay out some priorities. For now, I will teach one course (Cultural Literacy) at the university and consult with PC/MOE on a regular basis. Will probably end up doing some PC training and workshops for secondary school teachers on other islands at some point.

I did meet with the UNI-CV Vice-Rector and US Embassy folks last week to discuss the possibility of establishing a Foreign Student Advising center at the university. We also want to set up an "American Corner" and offer TOEFL classes. Hopefully, we will have some Fulbright presence in Cape Verde eventually. Perhaps, as things move along, I'll need some "special consultants"? I'll let you know, ok? ha!

I've posted a few photos - Enjoy! - More to come soon, I promise!

Daniel

Arrival

HI!

Just wanted you all to know that I arrived safely to Cape Verde...After more than 40 hours of travel!

The hardest part of the trip was in Denver, believe it or not. I had too much weight, and they were going to charge me $400, but I ended up putting some stuff in a box and only paying a $250 "extra bag" fee. I barely made my flight to DC with all forms I had to fill out. No problem on the Senegal leg, thank goodness. The South African Airway flight was half full, and I had a seat to myself. Watched the movie "Angels and Demons". Was met by the Embassy expediter and taken to my boss' house in Dakar for a few hours of rest before my ongoing flight to Praia.

Upon arrival to this charming island, I was given an extremely warm welcome by the folks at the US Embassy and Peace Corps. First impressions: very friendly people, beautiful coastline, HOT (but with island breezes), Mediterranean in character, lots of new construction, much greener than I expected (due to it being the end of rainy season). It definitely does not feel like Africa - much more of a combination between Portugal, Brazil, and the Caribbean.

I'm currently staying at a hotel because my apartment isn't ready yet. Over the weekend, I attended a reception to celebrate one of Cape Verde's towns being designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also traveled to the interior of the country (in the Ambassador's private car!) for a Peace Corps swearing-in ceremony.

Today I have meetings at the Embassy to discuss safety & security and my future work projects. I will also investigate the possibility of buying a scooter to get around. My curriculum development/teacher training work at the university will hopefully start next week. In the meantime, I plan to keep busy moving into my new apartment and learning a few essential phrases in Portuguese & Creole.

I'm still a bit jet-lagged, but happy to be here finally.

I'll post another entry soon (with photos!),

Daniel

Cape Verde Article

For anyone who might be interested in reading more about Cape Verde, the article below appeared in the July 2009 issue of Conde Naste Traveler magazine:

www.concierge.com/cntraveler/articles/500992

Back to packing!

Daniel

Contact Information

Bom Dia, Amigos!

(That is the extent of my Portuguese, unfortunately, which will hopefully get better very soon. ha!)

As you know, I will be spending the next 10 months as a US State Department consultant in the Cape Verde Islands, off the coast of West Africa. Leaving Denver on September 16th. (Flying through Dakar, Senegal.)

Below is my contact information:

1. Mailing Address (US Embassy pouch - only domestic postage required for letters, NO packages allowed):

Daniel Lopez
c/o US Embassy/Praia
2460 Praia Place
Dulles, VA 20189

2. SKYPE ID: globaldaniel68

Please let me know if you use SKYPE, so that I can add you to my address book! This is the best (and cheapest) way to talk in person. FYI - Cape Verde is 5 hours ahead of the East Coast, 7 ahead of Colorado time.

Please keep in touch and stay tuned for updates!

(One interesting website I have already found, thanks to Shai, is: http://www.capeverdejewishheritage.org/.)

Hasta Luego/Ate Logo,

Daniel

Beckoned Again By Far Away Lands!

I know, I know...I said I would NEVER go abroad again! But, honestly, who was I kidding?? ha!

OK, here's the latest: I have been offered a 10-month contract by the US State Department in Cape Verde, starting in late September!!

While there, I will be training Peace Corps volunteers and university students on teaching techniques and tourism development. Should be an interesting experience.

So, once I return from my summer gig in El Salvador (August 13), I will put on my Cesaria Evora CD's (she a famous Cape Verdean singer) and start the process of packing up again! Call me crazy, but those island breezes are calling out to me! (And truthfully, the job prospects here in Colorado haven't been all that promising, given today's economic climate.)

More details to come, so stay tuned!

Lots of love,

Daniel

P.S. For those of you who have NO idea where Cape Verde is (don't be ashamed, I didn't either!), here is some more information from the Peace Corps website:

The Cape Verde archipelago is located approximately 375 miles off the coast of West Africa. It is composed of nine inhabited islands and eight islets. The islands have a combined size of just over 4,000 square kilometers (roughly the size of Rhode Island ). Of volcanic origin, the spectacular islands, which boast some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, vary widely in terrain. Cape Verde was a former Portuguese colony, and retains much influence from that European nation (trade, language, religion, food, customs, etc). In 1988, Peace Corps sent its first group of Volunteers to Cape Verde. Since then there have been over 300 Volunteers who have served in Cape Verde. Peace Corps Volunteers have served on all nine inhabited islands; presently, 46 Volunteers serve on all islands except Brava and Boavista. Over the past fifteen years the Peace Corps program in Cape Verde has grown in the number of Volunteers serving and its scope of intervention. To help the local government address its myriad development needs, the program has adapted its focus and objectives to keep in step with the country's development initiatives. Volunteers work closely with educational institutions, local government offices and nongovernmental agencies (NGOs) assisting communities in identifying their needs and resources and developing projects that help communities best use local resources to meet their needs.