Jules CP-8

A couple of weeks ago, I met up with Stéphane for a brief chat session before his CIES soccer game. They have been doing much better after he passed the TOEFL exam. We had planned on meeting at 5 p.m., and he called around 4:45 to say he was making some food. I asked if he wanted meet up a little later, but he said no, come on over. At some point there was a lack of communication because when I arrived, there was a plate of chicken and veggies waiting for me... So much for my weekday vegetarian plan!

We ate our meal, and caught up on what's been going on in our lives. I told him I had just broken up with my sort-of boyfriend-ish, because the guy had assumed that my phone must have been broken since I wasn't returning his calls and that therefore it would be a good idea to drop by my house unannounced at 9 a.m. on Memorial Day. Stéphane jokingly (at least I hope) said that I was evil and that the guy was just trying to be nice! Dating is so different around the world, and this sparked a discussion on what it's like in the Côte d'Ivoire. There, they don't "beat around the bush" (I taught him that phrase -- good to see it put to use!) when they like someone. You just go up to someone in a club or on the street, tell them they look beautiful/interesting, and if they reciprocate then you are pretty much boyfriend and girlfriend. It's as easy as that. Here, we have this whole business of, I'm gonna get your number but not call for 3 days, cause I don't want you to think I'm that into you, and yada yada yada. It has been interesting to hear what dating is like in West Africa and the Middle East, which are pretty much two opposite ends of the spectrum. I wanted to continue the conversation, but he had to go kick some more butt at soccer. Go team CIES!