Just dance, gonna be ok

Now for a little bit more elaboration regarding my first day as a PCT (Peace Corps Trainee) in Theis, Senegal. First of all, the training compound is really nice compared to what I was expecting. Our dorm rooms even have electricity in them and their is an electrical outlet by my bed (it is somewhat questionable though. I'm a little afraid of electrocution). I’m sharing my room with three other girls; Mindy, Jessica and Cady. Tonight, I will sleep with mosquito netting surrounding me and I’m sure it will be fabulous. Stay tuned for recountings of some vivid dreams, as I also started my anti-malarial medication today (Doxycycline for all of you nurses and doctors that are reading this). Side effects include:

• Stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea, headache or vomiting. Please notify your Peace Corps Medical officer should these symptoms persist or worsen.
• These symptoms are unlikely, but report to your Peace Corps health provider if they occur: stomach pain, yellowing of the eyes or skin, vision changes, mental changes.
• Increased sensitivity to sunlight (because I’m all ready so stellar in direct sunlight now).

Sounds fun doesn’t it? According to others that have taken it in the past, I should also expect some totally gnarly dreams. I’ve also gotten stuck twice more today, typhoid and meningitis. Of course both were done in the same arm as the yellow fever shot yesterday and as of right now it it’s a little painful to lift my left arm above my head.

I also had my technical interview today. I was in a room with three current PCVs and we discussed things like; would I prefer to start in a new site or replace someone (replace), would I want to be in a small village (50-300 people) or a larger town (no preference), would I prefer to be close to other volunteers (YES PLEASE!), do I like children and animals (duh!) and do I consider myself to be a self-starter (unsure on that one, please leave comments and let me know what you all think)? In my interview I was also asked if I would like to have any interaction with horses, as they noted in my resume that I have some experience in that area. I was told that in the past, some volunteers have actually had their own horses and have been able to pass them down to their replacement PCV. Did someone just drop me off in heaven? That would be amazing! I’ll be dreaming about that for the next nine weeks and keeping my fingers crossed that my pipe dream actually does come true.

We also met all of the staff that would be training us for the next nine weeks. Everyone seems very nice and well informed, but please don’t ask me their names for at least another week. I can barely keep track of all of my fellow trainees (at last count I knew 40 out of 46, not bad if I do say so myself). French Language interviews are tomorrow so I’m going to count sheep in French to help me fall asleep. Who knows, it’s not like it could hurt.

One last note; we did about an hour of Senegalese dancing today. I think one of my friends got some sweet pictures (possibly some video) so there’s something for everyone to look forward to.

My bed at the PC training center. Check out the mosquito netting!

Asalaa maalekum,
Rachel

# of Mosquito bites so far = 1