I remember visiting Tony in Nicaragua. He had a room in a house he shared with a family. His room did not even have walls that went all the way to the ceiling. Meaning you could a) hear everything at all times and b) anyone could easily have gotten in by hoping over this divider. Technically, Peace Corps wouldn't have approved had they ever bothered to go check it out. If I recall, the door only locked from the inside, meaning it was never locked when he was away. Security via the family that was constantly there though. To my knowledge, nothing bad ever came of it.
I bring this up to point out that I've only lived in the equivalent of mansions. Technically, I've never had more space and rooms to myself than in Africa. I've obviously lived in way nicer homes, but I shared them with people. In Bogo, I had a whole compound to myself. A walled enclosure, that while small, was all mine. Here in Mbakaou, I share my compound with my servants--I MEAN FAMILY--but have a large two bedroom house for myself. There are downsides of course. Walls made of painted mud. Holes to shit in. Pretty open to the elements. A variety of insects and animals for flatmates. Tin roofs. No running water. Located in Africa. Ya know, stuff like that. But for the most part, I have some pretty good digs.
Here, see for yourselves.
This video of my place in Bogo was taken the very first day I moved in. It was entirely furnished by prior volunteers which was a major boon many other volunteers did not receive.
Here is a video of my place in Mbakaou taken the last day before heading back to America. Sort of put that one off till the last minute. You'll notice I drug down a ton of the free stuff I got in Bogo. Or maybe not, since the lighting is kinda shit. Well it's all your like to get for the next year so deal.
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