I am now an official Peace Corps Volunteer...I can (theoretically) speak Pulaar at an intermediate mid level so i get to go to village! The swearing in ceremony was at the U.S. Embassador's house, so we got meet her and eat yummy food. We took the same governmental oath that president takes AND got a police escort to the ceremony (ok so it was one guy on a moped but still!)
The morning after swearing-in I took a sept place (sketchy old station wagon - 7 places) to Kolda! The trip went much smoother than our last trip to Kolda...don't worry the roads were still bumpy like whoa...even a jeep would struggle on these roads...BUT we didn't have to wait 5 hours to cross the Gambia river (we didn't have to wait at all) AND we go tthe legendary Gambia chicken sandwiches...and they were deliscious! While crossing the Gambian border we also meet a guard who went to school in America for 5 years, played basketball and worked at macy's in new york!
Since then I have been chilling at the regional house...each ergion has a regional house, which is like mini America for all the volunteers in the region. we watch movies, have dance parties which involve sweating profusely, sleep on the roof and eat yummy stuff...we roasted a pig yesterday (and by we I mean the other volunteers, I just helped with the eating). i bought a crazy amount of things to furnish my new hut...including trunks, which is what we use to store stuff here...its awesome cause I feel like I'm going to Hogwarts...I got my trunk, my broom, my new robes (so what if Senegalese clothes aren't exactly wizard robes). Also, my stagemates (people I was in training with) decided to split the stage into houses...I am apparently Griffindor since I have half a thumb and that constitutes bravery.
Anyway...I leave for my permanent site (Thiewal Lao) tomorrow! I don't think I will have internet access for 5 weeks although I could find it if I go out of my way a bit so we shall see! don't forget to check out the World Cup (soccer...not quidditch) cause it's in Africa!!!!!
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Hangin' with the Ambassador....police escort, multi-lingual.....big changes over a few months!
ReplyDeleteWe'll mail the care package in the next day or two so it will be interesting to see how long it takes to your new home.
Be brave Griffindor!
You've now been to a pig pickin' (or at least enjoyed the result in NC, PA, and Senegal....world cuisine traveler!
Btw, nice Peace Corps disclaimer at the end of your post.....
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