In case you were wondering what PCVs do in their downtime here’s a rundown; we basically revert back to all of our favorite pastimes around the 4th and 5th grade. Think Uno, Sardines/ Hide and Go Seek, card games and spur of the moment sing-alongs. Last night, after a rousing game of Sardines (which Jim, Kayla and I totally rocked if I do say so myself. Mattress room? Killer! Too bad about that sewer leak in the Maritania PC training center though…) we had some Kumbaya time in the Disco Hut, courtesy of Ian on guitar and Patrick on the fiddle. I’m pretty sure Will and Chelsea got some video of that, so stay tuned. We may be submitting a new Peace Corps recruitment video. Tonight, I think Karaoke is on the agenda. Apparently Costa is going to sing every song we can think of that has the word “man” in the title. “Piano Man,” “Man in the Mirror,” “Rocket Man.” I think you all get the picture.
Today we got out of the classroom and finally got our hands dirty. Literally. We learned about double digging for vegetable gardens and how to start a tree nursery. We also learned about bike repair and boy do I hope they go over that again before training is over.
Since we got here last Wednesday morning, we have been confined to the Peace Corps Training Center, or what I like to refer to as, “Senegal Light,” or “Senegal for Dummies.” I do have to admit though, I kind of like how much hand holding the Peace Corps does the first few weeks in country. This afternoon I finally got to experience the real Senegal, and I would be lying if I said that it wasn’t a little bit overwhelming. In groups of four or five, we were led out of the training center by older PCVs and led through the city of Theis (pronounced Chess, in case you were wondering). The goal of the activity was to familiarize ourselves with the marketplace downtown and then to reward ourselves with our first Senegalese beer. And let met tell you, by the end of the market, I was dying for a beer. The currency here is the CFA franc, and it is roughly 480 CFA to $1 US. My two beers cost me 1600 CFA, not too shabby if you ask me. It was actually the first money I’ve spent so far in Senegal.
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| A common Senegalese beer |
I also rode in my first Senegalese taxi today. Sort of terrifying, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it. I’m sure it will be much better once I get a handle on the local language. Speaking of, we get our language assignments tomorrow so that should be exciting. And even more exciting is that we are going to our training homestays on Monday. I just hope my Senegalese family likes me. I think I’m even going to get a new Senegalese name. I just hope I don't forget my real one be the time 27 months are up.
Asalaa maalekum,
Rachel
hey rachel,
ReplyDeletei love your blog! and this is coming from a non blog reader! you write really well. remember when i told you to become a pre-teen author. i stand by my statement. so yesterday, i was in home depot and heard "man on the moon" by r.e.m. over the loud speaker. did you guys sing that at karaoke? if you did, i wouldn't be surprised. it just shows how we're cosmically connected :) btw, it sounds like you're having fun in senegal and that makes me happy. miss you so much!
love, sabrina