Training, Site Visit, Swear In

Alright. Time to try to summarize 10 weeks as quickly as possible. Here we go.

I spent most of the past 10 weeks in a village called Fulla Kunda, which is about a third of the way up country on the south bank. There were 3 other trainees in the village with me. The village was the smallest of the 4 training villages my group used, with about 150-200 people total. My family was pretty much incredible. I had one mom and dad, 6 siblings, and a 14 year old uncle. But my favorite was my little sister Dami, who was insane and in her own world. She would run all over the place and just talk and talk and talk and not be concerned with the fact that I could never understand a word she said and just kept saying "mi famani, dami" (I don't understand, dami).

A typical day involved language class at 8 (I have been learning Pulaar). That would last until 11ish and we would usually take a break somewhere in there so I could eat my coos porridge. Then we'd have the massive Peace Corps lunch bowl around 1pm. Then we'd lay under a mango tree or nap in our huts or drink ataya (really strong and sweet green tea that all the men brew). In the afternoon we might ride bikes or run, study, garden, etc. Throughout this we were supposed to be mixing with the community and working on language, but it's hard when you don't really know how to say anything. By the end of the 10 weeks it was a lot easier, and on my final test last week I got Intermediate High, which is pretty good. I was happy with that.

Also during training we had technical training sessions together with the whole group. This was everything from personal health to alternative discipline to anything else you can think of that has to do with teaching or living in Africa. We also had a week of model school. They paid some kids to show up to school for a week so we could practice teaching them. It was a very good experience, but the kids clearly didn't care about what we were telling them. I can't blame them. It was their summer break. I wouldn't have wanted to be there either. However, they were pretty well behaved and the week gave us a lot of perspective about what to expect behavior-wise and in terms of where they are academically compared to where they should be.

We had site visit about a week and a half ago. I'm being posted to a school in Basse. I'm not really sure what I'll be teaching yet, even though school started last Monday. My headmaster said we'd discuss it when I got back. My host family is really nice. Especially my host dad. The house is nice; bigger than anything I need. But I'm okay with it, because now guests will have a place to stay. I have well water, so we'll see how my stomache feels about that. I pour it through cloth into my filter, then apply some bleach after it filters. I should be fine. I can always boil it as well.

Basse should be great, because I can get fruit year round. And there was some yogurt. And icees the size of my fist for 5 dalasis. Icees are the greatest things on earth, by the way. Different flavored juices frozen in plastic bags. Basse is also nice because there are a few other volunteers within a reasonable distance that I know pretty well. That'll be nice when I get stressed out.

I realize I haven't said anything about what I'm actually doing or how I'm actually benefiting the country, but that's because I really haven't yet. Sorry. I'll get on it soon.

Oh, I nearly forgot. We swore in yesterday. The ceremony was held at the U.S. Embassy, which was kind of cool. I had never been to an embassy before. We sang both national anthems, listened to some speakers, took an oath (which I'm told is the same as the one the military takes?), shook hands with the Secretary of State for Education, the Ambassador, and the PC Country Director, then sang a song in Wolof. So now we're volunteers. Hooray.

Alright, well I think that's going to be it for this post. A couple of people need to use this computer. Basse doesn't have internet, however, so mail mail mail. And if you are interested in sending me a package (which isn't necessary but would surely be appreciated), magazines, books, and protein powder are all good ideas.

Oh, I grew out a goatee throughout all of training. And I shaved my head. As in BICed. But now I have a creepy mustache. It's pretty great. Alright. I'm done. I hope everyone is well. Oh, and if any teachers out there are interested in having me write their class or vice versa, let me know. Take Care.