elle a la grosse fesse

This evening I was standing around with some of the other staff just chatting. Dr. P is from Congo-Brazzaville, Dr. L (the first African woman doctor I have met who has not left the continent!) is from Chad, but grew up in Senegal.

"Cristine," Dr L said out of nowhere - we were talking about kwashiorkor - "you look good in a skirt"

"Oh? Thanks."

"Yes, you have the figure of an African woman."

Here, Dr P laughs. "She has a big butt."

Dr L smiles and says, "Yes, but without a big butt and big hips like cristine has, you can't wear the skirt properly. It would just fall off."

Dr. P: "You have a good point."

Dr. L : "And, when she wears a head scarf, well, she could be African."

Dr.P: "That is because of her big nose."

Keep in mind, folks, that I was standing right there. Having thus diagnosed me worthy of wearing a typical West African skirt (brightly coloured, ankle length, wrap-around) and of having a large nose, we moved back to the subject of protein malnutrition.

I have been told before that I "look" African - in Morocco they said I looked and bargained like a Berber woman (though in that case, I don't think it was a compliment) and I was more than once told in Cameroonian markets that I looked like someone from the Middle East. I always find these comments kind of curious given my very white skin and freckles, but I must grant the big butt and generous hips.

I spent all of today and will spend all of tomorrow in a conference regarding malnutrition - of all types. Most of the information I actually learned in school this past semester, but I certainly never knew how to say "rickets" in French before. And, I learned today that drinking tea can impede the absorption of iron - which is important in a society where protein for women and children is fairly scarce, and drinking tea is something everyone does - and in great quantities. (although, I've just done a Pub med search to find an article to link too, and all I could find were articles saying that there is no evidence to support this tea/iron link. i will have to inquire about this tomorrow.) Anyway, despite some cultural differences (I prefer air movement and dust while Chadians prefer tightly closed windows and stagnant, dust-free air; I am early to most meetings, for many Chadians "early" means 30 minutes late; my preference for interactive learning vs the admittedly international problem of reading of power point slides to one's audience - might be me against the world on this one) the training was well organized and enjoyable. Hopefully, it won't be so hot tomorrow (hahahaha!).