Yoyo is dead.

6/14/2001:
couldn’t finish writing a letter to mom. so much to say that i can’t possibly say it, but i tried and just rambled... not sure what i’m going to do with the letter now. suppose letter writing won’t necessarily come as easy as i expected... much like french.

i’m struggling with french. maybe Petit Prince speaks too much english? maybe i’m not trying hard enough? maybe it’ll come with time? i’m studying a little... just tough devoting all my time to work on french with everything else: tech reading, health reading, family time, “chores,” etc. time management... it never ends.

anyhow... enough about that. after 2 or 3 days battling with serious gas issues i had to walk out of our general training meeting today. Japhet found me ½ way down the main-road ––– wait, people are crying and wailing outside...

Das’ older brother Yoyo is dead.

my “issues” (physical, emotional, whatever...) seem trivial. Yoyo’s body is lying where I saw him last this afternoon. he seems much more peaceful now than when he was alive. Petit says he had heart issues. he arrived this morning from Douala and left to the hospital only ~4 hours ago.

Das is together. he showed me a picture of the 2 of them. and one of Yoyo’s little baby. it’s quiet outside now. the men are probably still in with the body. not sure where the women are. feel bad for Petit... he’s got an exam tomorrow. i took my mefloquine today. not looking forward to my dreams.