My Crowning Achievement in Peace Corps

I've Seen Leaves of Green...and More

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 ...

It's the Holiday Season

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. ...

My Saving Graces

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...

Tales of a Thirty-Something

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