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http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Obituaries Weather Archive Hot Topics Forum Photo Gallery Past Readers Polls Revels Etcetera Backpage O-Zone Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Online Games Movie Preview September 25, 2006 Tales from the Crib: Lizards on the wall By Jennifer Margulis Tidings Correspondent "If cockroaches get into your bags," my friend Humaiya said, shaking her head in disgust, "they'll lay eggs there and follow you wherever you go." A Ghanaian married to a Belgian man, Humaiya has three children approximately the same ages as mine. When we discovered on the plane from Paris to Niamey that our children would be at the same school, we exchanged phone numbers. "You've got to get your stuff out of there. Today," Humaiya continued. "We'll store it at our house until you get settled." The house we rented sight unseen — the one that used to be a cyber café and had three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and cost only $400/month — was crawling with cockroaches. I liked the sticky-toed lizards that prowled the ceiling and walls looking for the mosquitoes that preyed on us nightly but when it started raining in the living room and when the toilet exploded on the same day, we knew we had to leave. But having just arrived in Niger, we had no idea where to go. One option was a tiny ground floor studio that had been fixed up as a guesthouse. James went to look at it. "In case you decide to move in," the manager said, handing James the key "How much does it cost?" James asked. "Wallahi, I can't tell you," the manager said. "The owner's traveling. Make arrangements with Rob." "Rob?" "Rob." So James left with the key and Rob's number. An American working on social marketing of condom ads to help prevent the spread of disease, Rob answered the phone on the first ring. "I have no idea why anyone said to ask me," Rob said when James explained we needed a place to live until we found a house to rent. "I have no authority whatsoever and I have no idea the price the owner would want you to pay," Rob continued. "But why don't you and your wife and kids come over for dinner and we'll talk about it?" So that's how our ten bags ended up at Humaiya's and we ended up at Rob's. When his wife — a Congolese woman with a degree in public health — heard about the cockroaches and mosquitoes and rain and exploded toilet, she insisted we sleep in her guestroom. In the meantime none of my colleagues at the university, where I am to teach a course in American Civilization, was available. "It looks like the professors are on strike right now," the director of the English Language Program at the American Cultural Center who was responsible for setting up meetings with the English Department, said apologetically, "I haven't been able to get you a single appointment." Across from Rob's house is a French food aid organization that has four enormous vehicles parked out front. Etani, my 2-year-old, begged me to let him ride in one of the massive 6-wheeled all terrain cargo trucks that look like giant caterpillars. With wheels almost twice as big as he is, the trucks seemed intimidating. But when the afternoon guard gave us permission, Etani scrambled right up into the driver's seat. "You're not scared?" I asked. "'Course not!" Etani cried. "I'm taking you to the market! C'mon!" After an hour of playing in the truck it was time to go back inside. Etani wailed with fury and disappointment. He could have stayed gripping that steering wheel, in his perch more than eight feet off the ground, all day. "What's wrong?" the guard asked. I explained. "Les enfants sont comme ça," the guard said. Kids are like that. So much generosity, compassion, kindness, and friendly intentions amidst so much poverty, disease, double talk, and logistical hassles. L'Afrique aussi, I thought to myself. Africa is too. Ashland-based writer Jennifer Margulis is spending the year in Niger, West Africa (not Nigeria) with her husband James and their three children. Current Comments: More inane musings from your child-rearing specialist...how does this help anyone? Will this help my daughter deal with her emotions of having a new half-sister? Will this help my friend whose baby is not breast feeding? My neighbor's kids' cat just got run-over...any help there? Another friend has a daughter who is having a hard time adjusting to middle-school. While I'm sure it's a nice view from the Ivory Tower, Jennifer..you are simply out of touch with most parents and you should resign. Mike - Ashland - September 26th, 11:19 AM If this is the kind of thing we have to look forward this coming year I think Ms. Margolis should start a blog and keep her self-absorption for friends and family only. I realize it's a big world out there and living abroad can be great (I lived for a time in West Africa myself) -- but really, she seems unable to write about the topic at hand. It's getting a little ridiculous! Berta - Salem - September 26th, 12:06 PM I truly believe the Tidings has an obligation to its readers it is not fulfilling in this column. Hey all you subscribers and advertisers out there, is this a good use of your money? Maybe keep her as a columnist but change the name to Tales from the Trust Fund. Joyce - Talent - September 26th, 5:09 PM Where can I sign on to get paid for my mundane musings??? I would love a pay check for blabbing about my life too. mom who blogs - Ashland - September 29th, 1:03 PM Flaming can be fun but I'd like to express gratitude to the Tidings for this window on the larger world provided by Jennifer Margulis who, I gather, is visiting Africa with her husband and their three children on a fellowhip, and who write with grace and compassion. Craig Comstock - Ashland, Oregon - October 17th, 9:23 AM Jennifer Margulis and her family are experiencing a reality that most of use would be terrified to live in: exposure to insects, lack of sanitation, and a decrepit urban infrastructure. Are the people who ridicule Jennifer's writing really expressing their own fear of the harsh reality that other human beings live in? I enjoy Jennifer's stories of daily life in Niger and admire the ways she seeks to protect her loved ones as she offers them the experience of a difficult and amazing world. Shoshanah Dubiner ( [email protected] ) - Ashland, OR - October 18th, 12:11 AM Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising Inkjet Printers Student Loans Water Filter Helzberg Diamonds Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Advertisement: Copyright © 2006 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.