week one in Bayakh = wonderful learning experience

So I spent the last week in my PST CBT site (pre-service training community-based training), Bayakh. Bayakh is a town of about 5,000 people. Everyone that I have met so far has been really nice. My host family is very welcoming; I have one set of parents, two brothers, and three sisters. My family is Wolof and speaks that language for most of the time. I have one brother and one sister who speak French, but no one else in the family does, which makes it rather difficult to communicate to the rest of my family. Hopefully I can test out of French in a few weeks and start learning Wolof, that way I can actually communicate with my family 



Language classes are good. As most of you know, I already know French, but I did not interview well which is why I am still studying French at the moment. This week has been a nice refresher course though. The two LCFs (language cross-culture facilitator) have noticed my level of French though and have recommended that I start doing some other activities within my community to improve my French at a quicker pace. Then, maybe in a few weeks, I may be able to test out and start learning Wolof.


In terms of culture, I am just taking it all in right now…there are a lot of things to observe. Once I get a good grasp on everything, I will post more  Some of the biggest adjustments have to do with food and lack of privacy. The food here is really good…lots of rice, which I truly enjoy. It’s just really hot, so I haven’t been very hungry. Also, when eating, everyone sits around one bowl and eats together. I get to eat with a spoon while everyone else eats with their hands. Kind of interesting for me if any of you know my strange food habits. Plus, I know how my stomach is, so I have been trying to watch what I eat so that I don’t get too sick.


In terms of privacy, my family is always hanging out, so it’s kind of rude to go lock myself in my room. My only alone times are breakfast and lunch (because it’s Ramadan, my family is fasting so I eat alone in my room), and right before bed.


Right now, I am back in Thies at the training center. I head back to Bayakh on Wednesday and will be there for two weeks next time. There is an internet café there, so I should be able to update some more and post pictures in a few weeks. A huge thank you to all who are keeping up with me! A bientot!

Leaving for homestay :)

Hello all! So the last couple of days here have been full of learning :) We had a culture fair where the staff went through and explained some really important aspects of Senegalse culture; my favorite sessions were on clothes and food (of course!). We also learned our hoemstay sites for the next two and a half months; I will be living in Bayack (see map) and continue to study French. We will be living in our homestay sites off and on for the next couple of months to help us better understand the culture and languages of the Senegalese people; and then travel back to Thies for debriefings. I am really looking forward to this, but definitely a little nervous. I will be living with a Senegalese family, so it will be interesting to see how I adapt. We also got to get out and explore Thies a little bit last night; I was able to have a nice beverage and buy a few things at the market. That's all for now; I'll try to update more after my first week in Bayakh :)

Arrival in Senegal

I made it! Our plane landed around 5am local time; cleared customs just fine. We had a nice bus ride to Thies; got to see the sunrise :) The training facility at Thies is really nice and the staff here is awesome! They had breakfast ready for us and then let us take a nap until lunch. After lunch, we spent the rest of the afternoon going over the logistics of our pre-service training (PST) and ended the evening with some dancing to African drums!
Today, we actually broke into our groups ( I am an SED - small enterprise development -- agent) and then had a session on some medical issues. The rest of the afternoon is filled with individual interviews, so I thought that I would go ahead and update my blog.
I would like to thank everyone for the warm farewell and prayers. I am having a great time so far and adjusting well. I did get a cell phone yesterday as well, so if you want it, contact me via facebook or e-mail and I will send it to you (free for me if you call). Until next time....

Countdown to Departure

Well this is my first attempt at a blog, so please be gentle!   I leave next Monday for Senegal to begin the next 2 years of my life. I am both excited and sad; I know that this is going to be an amazing experience, but I know that it will be difficult to be away from friends and family for such a long period of time.
       Actually, I fly out early Monday morning for orientation in Arlington,VA; and will then head out to Dakar, Senegal on Tuesday evening and should land early Wednesday morning.

       After arriving in Dakar, our group( appr. 65 volunteers) will take a bus to the Peace Corps training center in Thies. We will spend the next couple of days in numerous language and skill interviews, and in culture and health workshops. After that (maybe next Monday), we will be placed with a host family in a nearby city to complete the rest of our 9-week training.
    Well, that is all for now! I probably will not update again until after my arrival in Senegal. Wish me luck! Prayers are welcomed :)