Natoma Jallow vs. Lucia Cruz

So my Gambian name is Natoma Jallow. We are given Gambian names to help us integrate into the local culture and whatnot. Personally, I think they also do it so that our names are easier to pronounce for those around us and as a security measure so creepy peeps don't get all stalker-ish on us.

But it has had another, perhaps unintended, effect. I feel like Natoma is becoming my alter ego. How so? Let me count the ways...

Natoma:
- Learns how to ride a bike on an unpaved Gambian highways after never riding in her life
- Puts a snake around her neck even though Lucia hates snakes
- Carries a bucket of water on her head like a typical Gambian woman
- Says "Iyoo" (= okay) and clicks her tongue after every sentence (again, like a good Gambian)
- Wears long skirts and covers her shoulders in public
- Is okay with mayonaise on her egg sandwiches and potatoes sandwiches and...well shoot, its just natural to have mayo in everything here
- Can't go inside a shop without saying "Salaam Maaleekum" and then immediately launch into a series of greetings in a quick, dull voice like most people here do
- Eats with her hands and can ball rice/sauce/meat in three quick rolls of her hand
- Sleeps through the first prayer call of the morning when it used to wake her up every morning at 5:30 am
- Distinguishes the different types of animal poop, including cows, sheep, goats, chickens, cats and dogs
- Squeezes into the back of a gele gele (aka Gambian rust tanks, aka an acceptable mode of transport here) and sits next to a lady with a baby on her lap, two bumsters, three yapping school girls and STILL works on a budget proposal on her way to the capital city

But really, are the two so different? I guess Natoma is another step in the ever-evolving person that is Lucia. And besides, Natoma helped Lucia finally become a PCV!