Tales of a Thirty-Something

So as ya’ll are all gearing up for Holiday Season 2K10, I celebrated yet another Islamic parade of apologizing, macaroni, and sheep.   Last Wednesday was “Tobaski.” It is the celebration of the story of Abraham almost sacrificing his son to God in the Old Testament.   Because, Abraham is finally told to spare his son and instead kill a sheep, the Islamic faith celebrates this day in the same fashion.   The morning was spent in the same fasion as Korite (the celebration after Ramadan).   Everyone donned new clothes, new braids, and new shoes (all of which will last approximately one to two months).   We then went to the praying field for a quick session with Allah and, of course, to show off our new clothes.   After the prayers, we headed home apologizing to everyone we saw, removed our new clothes, and proceeded to dismember the sheep.   If I wasn’t so grossed out by the whole process of it, I think I could have found a new calling in life.   ...

Fatimata- I have to write about her.    She is one of my nieces, as well as one of my favorite girls.    She just has so many wonderful characteristics that most 4(ish) year olds don’t have.    She is so loving to me, babies, animals, and the other kids (most of the time). At the same time, she strives to always get whatever it is that she wants, and she’s not afraid to fight for it.    She knows what she wants, and despite her small size, she’ll force her way into it.  She’s kind to animals (which is abnormal here), but she doesn’t stop just because of other people. She eats dirt/rocks (which actually might just be a sign of iron deficiency), but she does so with zest. So much spunk, in such a small package.   My favorite quality about her, though, is her “I-don’t- care-what-anybody-thinks-of-me,- I’ll-do-what-I-want” attitude.   Most of the time, she’s just plain weird, but I love it. The other day, I saw her spinning in circle...

First off, here is a list of things I miss from America (outside my friends and family of course): Parks Live music Taking a shower and putting on pajamas Real toiletries Mountains Being able to go anywhere on a moment’s notice (aka the ease of transportation) Clean feeling/smelling sheets Going out to breakfast Good beer Alas, I have conquered my first Ramadan!   Not an easy feat, I’ll let you know.   Now, I didn’t know much about this “holiday” until I experienced it.   It’s a month-long, fast that ends with a day of big eating.   Those who are fasting are not to eat or drink anything from sun-up to sundown.   I’ll be honest; I only did it for about 4 days…2 of which I was sick.   Also, I cheated…I drank water.   For the most part, though, nothing happens during this month.   My villagers pretty much just sat around and spat all day (apparently, they avoid even swallowing their own saliva).   The eve of the first day was so funny.   T...

Due to the wonders of nature, I have come to find out that Saare Boyli IS beautiful.  All it needed was just a bit of water.  Here are some pictures of my personal oasis within the desert compliments of my friend Corka Djekitay (Jillian). My rainy season lake Just our village rainbow... Road out to the fields View from my hut, post-rainstorm. Notice the red onesie...compliments of my friends from Sweden and Norway. We even have grass now!  Lots of grass.

Peace Corps according to urbandictionary.com: 1.     An ambiguous government agency designed to quash the idealism of recent American college graduates over a two-year process. 2.  An international American government organization with continual rotating foreign staff and a fleet of white Landcruisers aimed at catching volunteers out of site.  3.  Two years of one’s life determined in a brief 20-minute interview after 15+ hour international flight. 4.   Committees, sub-committees and exploratory committees for both. 5.   The automatic and immediate forfeiture of four of the first ten Amendments.    6.   Groups, flipcharts and markers. 7.   Commonly proceeded by “Oh shit! I just graduated with a degree in international relations” 8.  A whole lot of serial (often dubbed over)   9.   Where CD, PTO, AO, PM, LCC, SSC, TM, PCMO, FA, GSM, and GSA speak to PCVs and PCTs about SP...

So the other night, some of the kids in my village asked me to teach them Spanish.  Well, seeing as my Espagnol repertoire is quite limited, as I haven't studied the language since 8th grade, I had to be quick on my feet, so as to look "cool."  As a result, there are now about 20 men, women, and children who yell "chimichanga" and "quesadilla" on the reg in the African bush . A dusk-ish view of village...as a matter of fact, just prior to the Spanish invasion.

Senegalese people are obsessed with wanting to go to America.   They think we’re all super rich, and that by coming here, they can be super rich too.   Recently one of my friends was talking with his family about slavery in America.   His description was somewhat as follows: “yeah, boats would come to Africa, and fill up with Africans that were to go to America to work.”   Well his family was so keen on the idea that they asked him if boats like this still existed, and if so, how they could get on one. So I recently just got back from an ALMOST completely successful bike trip.   Every year, Peace Corps Senegal has a huge 4 th of July party for all the volunteers in the country.   It’s in Kedegou, which is the neighboring regional capital from my regional house.   Overall, it’s about 250K away, and it’s pretty much a straight shot.   Inspired by all the biking we had been doing lately,   a few of us decided we wanted to bike it.   We wo...

THE RAINS HAVE COME!!!   The start of the World Cup has also marked the coming of the rains here in Senegal.   One night last week, a huge storm came through, and it rained for over an hour.   Unsurprisingly, that rain caused massive joy, gratefulness, and also chaos in and around my region.   On my way back to village the other week, there was one part that I was afraid we wouldn’t be able to cross, because it was like driving through a river.    That was last week, and it hasn’t rained since.   Now, all leaves of green that were springing have become leaves of brown, yet again.   It was nice while it lasted, though, except for all the bugs that came with it, but that’s another story. Today, I’d like to highlight the methods of public transportation here, specifically focusing on my trip into town yesterday.   First, in order to get to my regional house (Peace Corps has a house in a bigger city of each region of Senegal where we can access ...

So if you are at all curious as to what I've been doing in my village, above is a little video of all that I've done.  I'd have to say that this is my crowning achievement.  These are some of my favorite kids, and I actually I taught them to say "I have a snotty nose." Most of the time, though, it comes out sounding like, "I have a nasty nose" ...either way they do, and it works. Enjoy!

One of the reasons I'm still here...mangos at their finest.

So lately I’ve been the only twobaab within a 30-mile radius- a strange feeling indeed.    It’s pretty much celebrity status without all the red carpet.   My first three weeks within my village have been really great, but also really frustrating.   Sometimes, I swear the Senegalese culture was made to just piss off Americans.   They do this hissing noise whenever they want to get your attention that drives me nuts.   And also, they have no concept of line formation.   You could be standing, waiting your turn in a boutique (small shop) and someone will come up from behind you, start shouting at the keeper, throw him some money, and get exactly what he wants, when you’ve clearly been waiting your turn..   The kids, though, are Senegal’s saving grace sometimes.    They are the cutest, most helpful, happiest creatures I’ve ever come across.   Last week, I was battling my first African illness, and the thought of them put a smile on...

12 May 2010 So this is a big week for me. I moved out of my training village, I took my last language test (unless I failed), and I get “sworn in” on Friday (still pending I passed my language test).   I will have you note that ADRIEN ALSOBROOK told me that it might be a good idea for me to fail.   That way I could stay in training for an extra week and then only have to be in the real bush for one less week of the “hot “season.    She has a good point.   After getting sworn-in, I’ll actually move to the bush (Saare Boyli) on 19 May, which is in the midst of the hot season.   Hot here can mean somewhere in the 130s (apparently).   I’ve been hot for weeks, so I don’t know how it could get any hotter.   Also, someone asked me what was the thing I missed most in America (excluding family and friends), and I’m going to have to say “ice.”   So, if any of ya’ll could figure out a way to FedEx me some ice, I’d love you forever.   Saying g...

Do you remember the jelly shoes we used to wear?   They were pretty impractical, and invariably left horrendous blisters on our feet, but we wore them anyway. Did you ever wonder what happened to them?   Well, they are ALL in Senegal…every last pair of them.   The funny part is, though, that here it’s men and boys who wear them.   In fact, I don’t think I’ve seen any girls wearing jelly shoes.   If anyone wants a pair, though, let me know.   I can get them for pretty cheap. Now for the good stuff— ala douche: Going to the bathroom in Senegal is a treat.    Basically, there is a hole in the ground, and you just go.   No big deal, right? The thing is, there is no wiping here.   What is the “acceptable” thing to do is to pour a bit of water down there and wipe WITH YOUR LEFT HAND.   The right hand is unacceptable.   (In that respect, it’s pretty smart.   That way, you can more easily avoid other people’s “feces-hand”) S...

If you’ve ever wanted to make a celebrity, all you need to do is put a white person on a black continent.   From the second I got off the plane, I have gotten more attention than I ever could have wanted.   The villagers truly treat me like I’m Paris Hilton-- everyone thinks I am super rich (since I’m an American), as well as stupid (probably due to the fact that I have the language proficiency of a 2 year old).   So, I’ve been in Senegal for almost a month now, and things are just as crazy as the day I arrived.   First of all, this is nothing like South Africa.   South Africa, despite its internal problems, was physically beautiful.    Mountains and vineyards were everywhere I turned (except for in the townships).    Here in Senegal, it’s trash and cinderblocks that beckon me everywhere I turn.    I’m sure it is beautiful in its own way, and I can only hope that I will soon begin to be to love Senegal as much as I will always l...

I leave on Monday, and my room is a mess.  Funny how you never really realize how much stuff you have until you need to pack it up.  Today, from my amazing friends, I received the perfect present for this trip! ...the perfect present ever, really.  They made a scrapbook filled with encouraging words, photos, and stories.  They are the greatest, and can all expect awesome African presents when I get back.   I love ya'll!  Let the journey begin...