Med Hut

I am still here in the med hut in Dakar. I'm cleared to go back to site as of Wednesday, but I'm a little nervous about getting myself back to Tambacounda via public transportation. One of my friends is coming into med tomorrow and I think I'm going to hang around here until she is cleared to go back so we can undertake the journey together. Hopefully it won't be more then a few days. If it is, I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and brave the journey alone. 


I have gotten to know the area surrounding the Peace Corps office pretty well since I've been here. It's in a nice area of Dakar, with a nice bakery, a supermarket, a bank and some restaurants very near by. Even though I haven't been feeling that well, I've been trying to take a long walk everyday to get myself more comfortable with the city of Dakar. 


A funny thing happened to me on one of these walks. I stopped at a fruit/vegetable stand to buy some bananas to cut up and put in my daily morning cereal. I approached the vender, greeted him in Pulaar and proceed to ask him for 3 bananas. Or so I thought I was asking for bananas. I wasn't paying all that much attention to what he was doing, I was too busy watching my bag and the comings and goings of the Senegalese people on the street. I payed my 300 CFA and continued on my way back to the Peace Corps office. When I returned, I went into the kitchen to put my purchase away, all the while feeling very pleased with myself that I was able to take on this small errand all by myself. All of a sudden, as I went into my bag to get my bananas, I realized that what I actually had was a bag full of tomatoes! Apparently, we had a slight breakdown in communication. Oh language barriers and the fun stories and scenarios they create. It's a good thing I like tomatoes, otherwise i would have been really disappointed. It just gave me an excuse to take another walk later in the day, this time I made sure to check the bag for my fruit before I left. 


Being in the med hut has been interesting. There was a conference in Dakar for the Eco-T (Eco-Tourism) volunteers last week, so I got to meet some volunteers that I hadn't seen before. I've also gotten to know the Peace Corps office a lot better. I'm very happy to report that every Peace Corps staff member I've encountered thus far has been incredibly helpful. From what I hear, I should even have a bed upon my return to site. You all have no idea how much that thrills me. 


As I figure out how I will make the return journey to site, I will continue to enjoy the luxury of the med hut. Air conditioning and high speed internet, what more could a PCV ask for? Happy Memorial Day to all my American friends. I'm slightly bummed that I'm not home to celebrate with you, but I'll just have to make my own fun here. I feel a trip to the American club for some swimming and some good old fashioned BBQ is in order for today. 


Asalaa maalekum,
Rachel