March Smells like Home

I woke up on the 1st and it smelled exactly like March, like sunshine through new green leaves.

I've been in country for 6 months now. Time is flying by and things are only getting better and better. I completed my In-Service Technical Training and am back in village now working hard, specifically on pest identification and organic control methods. I'm also working with the Master Farmer Program to implement demonstrations on new technologies, techniques, and species in a one hectare space as a permanent learning/training source for surrounding communities. I'm working on a secondary project researching the traditional medicinal knowledge of plants and trees and I am establishing a network for volunteers to share and compare their knowledge, projects, and resources on the subject . You know me, I'm staying busy.

March is my month. It's getting warmer and warmer here as we enter the hot/dry season; but, the mangoes are ripening! It's incredible that trees are fruiting in the middle of the dry season. I'll also get to try cashew fruit for the first time. Everyday is truly a new and unexpected adventure.

I'll be traveling to Kedagou, in the southeast part of Senegal, in order to hike mountains and climb waterfalls for my Golden Birthday--I'll be turning a quarter of a century old on the 25th of March! Life is grand.

Here is a glimpse into my volunteer life...

(Me, Aviva, and Jessica in Dakar dressed up for WAIST. I was a Spanish--upside down--exclamation point for my region's theme of "South of the Border.")

(Peace Corps love during In-Service Training at the Thies Training Center. There are a lot of great people with me here in Senegal!)

(I'm enjoying a strangely flavored Senegalese version of a mallow--but mallow nonetheless--at a campfire at the Training Center. Not only great people here but also fantastic musicians!)

Living and loving life,

!

I'm Bad at Blogging.

Hello, my name is Missy! and I'm bad at blogging. Whyyyy might you ask? I, for the first time, am mostly disconnected from the internet. Not being around the internet has allowed me the opportunity to explore other forms of communication. It almost feels like I’ve lost one of my senses and my others have amplified to compensate. In my previous life, I would be the person to respond to an e-mail 5 minutes after receiving it. If you wanted to send me a last minute request, I’d get it done. So in a lot of ways I’ve been released and am now experiencing a strange freedom. However, with new internetless freedom comes consequences: I'm not doing a good job keeping my blog up-to-date... (Maybe I'm bad at blogging because I'm too busy dancing?)

I’ve been adventuring since Christmas around Senegal as a professional third wheel with my married couple friends. Justin and Aviva came down from just north of The Gambia to my humble southern abode in Kolda. Christmas was a fantastic cooking fest with 30+ volunteers in our regional house. Hundreds of cookies and Christmas movies made for a great Christmas--hot and away from home, but great nonetheless. After Christmas me, Justin, and Aviva started our trip up north, around The Gambia visiting volunteers and learning more about our new country. We landed in the Kaolack region for New Year’s. The New Year’s adventure commenced when the 7 places (public transportation for 7 people) broke down on the bush path and we had to push it to the road. Luckily the paved road was only about a kilometer away. We were able to catch another ride and arrived at Tubacouda in the Mangroves to spend the evening with a fellow volunteer’s visiting family. It was an enjoyably relaxed evening until we got kicked out of the hotel half an hour before midnight. The owner had quite a problem with a group of americans that weren’t there for the scheduled activities; but, I assure you we were all clean, presentable, and respectable volunteers that night.

It all worked out for the best because we jumped over to another hotel which ended up being awesome. They had a drum performance that counted down to New Year’s (in true Senegalese fashion that took twice as long as it should have) in addition to fireworks! We were a large group of volunteers and we shared hugs and kisses and made many-a-phone call home before we started a dance party which lasted until 2:30 am. The new young Dutch owners of the hotel danced with us and invited us back any time. (In the above picture we're pushing a 7 Place on a bush path).

After New Year’s we got stuck in the Kaolack regional house for a few days because of a transportation strike. From Kaolack we went to Dakar to take care of some medical appointments and then down to Mbour to visit our Training Host Families. From Mbour we made it to the Thies Training Center for the SeneGAD (Gender And Development) conference proceeded by the All Volunteer Conference. The Conferences were an incredible learning experience and I was able to talk to many volunteers about current projects and possibilities of networking new projects. Yes, I still geek out about conferencing and the opportunity to organize anything.

The infamous Dakar WAIST (West African Intramural Softball Tournament) followed our conferences. Volunteers flooded Dakar from Senegal, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Mali, and Guinea to play Senegalese and other ex-pat Softball teams. It was clear that Peace Corps was just there for fun as our team themes ranged from Aqua-Corps with inflatable beach gear as equipment to Scouts armed with kickballs and Frisbees. Hopefully we were more entertaining than disruptive. Almost all volunteers got to stay with host families. My host family (with Justin and Aviva, of course, because we hardly leave each other) were placed with a family who just moved to Senegal less than 2 weeks ago with a 5 month old baby. They have been incredibly welcoming and have invited us back anytime! The evenings were filled with talent shows and parties where I was able to meet and socialize with incredibly dynamic people.

So, about three and a half weeks later I’ve traveled part of the country and feel like a much more informed and confident volunteer. I’ve spent time with two of my favorite people in country and I’m still not tired of them. And, I feel like I’m finally more settled into life here.

What’s in my near future? I’m back down at site for a week before I go back up to Thies for my IST, In-Service Training, which will last two weeks. Still much traveling and learning to come. The adventure continues!

Pictures...

(We've got every language represented in this group of volunteers! Mande, Pulaar, Wolof, and Sereer!)

(Me and Aviva in the kitchen of the Kolda regional house cooking for Christmas!)

(So. Many. Christmas. Cookies.)

(Me and Justin on the roof of the Kaolack regional house)

(Walking to the Mangroves in Tubacuda)

(Adventurers of the best sort)

(Gross blistering reaction to doxycycline, my anti-malaria medication. Good news, I've switched medication!)

Meet some of my friends (that are better at blogging):

Check out the website of my very first friend in Peace Corps, Jubal Faircloth. We were on the plane together from Cincinnati to D.C.. He draws daily comics of his life here in Senegal as a volunteer. I show up in the comics more than a few times. Go to his "Comics" section and enjoy!

http://thefifthcircle.com

An admittedly bad blogger with good intentions,

Missy!

Hut-Sweet-Hut

Welcome to my new home for the next two years! I'm settling in well to my village, Salamata. I spend my days exploring the village and talking with villagers. My priority right now is to learn the language and identify needs and opportunities in my community. Sometimes I walk out to the cow fields and help milk or I go to the women's dry season gardens to figure out what techniques they are currently utilizing. It's all new and I'm surprisingly exhausted by 9:00 pm (bedtime!).

There are several trainings and conferences through Peace Corps in the coming months, in addition to holidays, so I'll be traveling a little around Senegal. I'll try my best to update when I can.

Here is my Hut-Sweet-Hut!

Left: This is a view from my front door to the back door. My water filter is by the back door and there is a tarp on the ceiling to help with leaks during the rainy season.

Below: This is my back yard! I usually have my hammock up over the green mat on the right but it's too cold to sleep outside right now. There really is a cold season! The water spot under the tree is where I take bucket showers.

Left: This is another picture inside m

y hut! My Ancien (the previous volunteer) left me the furniture. I bought a bed and had a frame built so it really feels like my space. It has such a great atmosphere at night when it is lit by candlelight.

Below: This is a view of my back yard garden/back of my hut. Yes, that's a banana tree on the left. I also have two papaya trees in my garden and three pepinieres (nurseries) for guava, cashew, and papaya trees. There's just so much potential!

Left: Annnd, here is my Douche--where I go to the bathroom. No toiletpaper here folks. That pot is filled with water and you use your left hand. Don't worry, I have soap. Also note that I have ALOE!!!

I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a refreshing New Year! I'll be celebrating here with new friends making new traditions.

Warmly from Senegal,

Missy!

Heading to Salamata, Kolda

I wanted to post more before I ventured down south but have been quite busy with:

-swearing in officially as a volunteer at the Ambassador's house (see picture left!)

-spending the Tabaski holiday with my host family (imagine massive sheep slaughter)

-packing for installment to my permanent site

-and enjoying the time I have left with my wonderful Stage mates

I'm about to jump on a bus and take a 12 hour bus ride to my region where I will then install into my permanent site (on November 11th). I can hardly believe it's time; but, I welcome the opportunity to unpack and settle into this new home.

I won't have internet access for the coming months as I won't really be leaving my site. I will be trying my best to integrate into my community, enhance my language capacity, and build relationships. I will have a new mailing address which I will send out when I can and hopefully have organized reflections to share around the New Year.

Just know that I'm well, living to the fullest, adventuring everyday, and trying to have a positive impact. I will post when I can and am always sending love to my dear friends back home.

Peace (corps) and Love,

!

Count down... 2 weeks!

The wireless is working at the Thies training center again and it feels liberating to easily connect with the world! The last two days have been our Counterpart Workshop where our village partners--one male and one female chosen by the community to work with us--come to the Training Center for orientation/sensitization. It's been exhausting for all parties involved but there has been a lot of good information transfer, in at least 5 languages. I only have one Counterpart at the moment because the other one is in Guinea Bissau for an undetermined amount of time. My female counterpart's name is Hawa Jamanka. She is very excited to have a female volunteer and says there's a lot of work in the village. The last two volunteers have been male and it should be an interesting challenge to navigate my way. I found out today that I will install to my permanent site on November 10th; yep, it's about to get really real.

In response to Taylor's detail requests:

Which is hotter: concrete furnace or mud hut kiln?

It is MUCH hotter in the concrete room and tin roof. I'm sure it's quite similar to what you experienced in Thailand, Taylor. The mud hut with a thatched roof tends to be cooler--in comparison--but it can still be unavoidably, and yes, oppressively hot. I'm so happy to have a thatched roof hut because it has impressive character. Some of the character though is that the rain leaks through in the rainy season. If you would like to enter my front hut door, you'd have to double over to crouch under the roof and swing in. The back door is straight across from the front and opens into my backyard douche (a concrete hole for a bathroom). My backyard is very shaded though and I have some space to garden. The first thing I'm going to do once I install: set up my hammock and choose sleeping option #OUTSIDE. I'm hoping to sleep outside for most of the next two years, inshallah (which means, God willing). Senegal is Islamic, for those of you that don't know. I'll be reflecting more on that in later posts but feel free to ask questions!

Photos?

Yeah, I know. I personally cannot believe I'm not taking pictures. They will come, I promise. Why am I not excitedly taking pictures? Because it's a big deal to have a camera out and I haven't felt like being even more the center of attention than I already am. It'll all be easier once I settle in and people get more used to me being around. I mean, I've got TWO YEARS :)

Pulaar Lesson #1:

A jarama = Hello/Goodbye/Thank You

Di wuuli buy= It's really hot!

Mi owli buy nannde woo nannde = I sweat a lot everyday.

Greeting is a big deal here so there's a slew of phrases for greeting at different times of day. Most greetings will be from more than one language. But the response is always some form of JAM TAN (which means, peace only).

Other updating:

I've only got two weeks left of Pre-Service Training!!! Those exclamation points are as much panic as excitement. I'm anxious about installing into my permanent site but it will be nice to settle in and figure out how to make it home. I know I still have months of transitioning, training, and language acquisition though before I even start feeling like I'm settled. One day at a time.

Animal Encounters...

-I slept with a chicken in my room the other night (on accident)--oops!

-When trying to chase the second lizard out of my room with the help of my host brother, we clipped the tail off with the broken handle of rake--oops again! FYI, the tail continues to move for quite some time after dismemberment.

-In the darkness of my concrete room with only my headlamp as a search light, I chased a mouse out (with my weapon of choice, a broken handle of a rake). I followed it out of my room and realized that I not only looked crazy to my host family but I also am out for blood. However, it's only the blood of things that can burrow and destroy my things or eat my seed. I'll have you know that I live quite happily with at least 10 beautiful wall spiders.

-There is a herd of camels down the road in the neighboring village.... named Iraq.

Peace Corps Joke:

So, there's a Pessimist, Optimist, and a Peace Corps Volunteer sitting at a bar. In front of them, there's a glass of water.

The Pessimist says, "That glass is definitely half empty."

The Optimist says, "It's obviously half full!"

The Peace Corps Volunteer says, "I could shower with that."

A la prochain (until next time)

!

This Senegalese Life

I can hardly believe it's been over a month since I left for Peace Corps. Training is jam-packed, learning the language is difficult and overwhelming, and oh, by the way, I'm seriously enjoying myself. Pre-Service Training (PST) is predominately focused on language acquisition but we also have technical, cultural, and safety/security training. I've been back and forth between the Thies Training Center and my host family site in Samba Loube--about 30 minutes from the Center. While at the center we have sessions all day on various topics such as soil amendments, Volunteer expectations/responsibilities, language classes, field crops, compost, volunteer credibility, and more. While at the homestay it's language class in the morning, speaking the language with my family in the afternoon, planting/growing a garden in the early evening, and more language practice in the evening. My host family is great. It's a big family: my host dad has one wife who has nine kids; there's also an uncle, a grandma, and more relatives around. I'm their first volunteer so we're both learning. The evenings are a little cooler and I often sit in the dark with my host dad or over on the mat with the women and kids after eating an 8:30 pm dinner by flashlight. Dinner, by the way, is communal, served in a big bowl on the ground, and eaten with hands. I get a spoon though!

At my home site I pull water from the well for bucket showers and also for watering the garden in which we planted both garden and filed crops for practice. My name at site is Fatimata Jiamank but it's shortened to Fatu by my family and to Ol' crazy fatty Fatu by my language partners. I was named after the 12 year girl in my family who takes care of me, shows me the ropes, and otherwise does all the housework.

I know I'm going to miss a lot of details but I'll try to give everyone a glimpse into this Senegalese life:

-The food is fine. It doesn't have many vegetables and the vegetables are boiled to death--with meat. That is, if there are any vegetables in the first place. It's a lot of rice and fish at my homestay. But my family does cook me beans and eggs! Oh, and there's sand in everything.

-I sleep on an awful foam pad that has a permanent dent, on a regular wood bed frame, under a mosquito net, IN A FURNACE. It's a cement block room with a tin roof. I do have a window that helps... a little. I get up often in the night to open the door to feel some fresh air. I'm developing many techniques of fanning within the mosquito net.

-The other trainees are from diverse backgrounds from fine arts to meteorology; and, as expected, we've bonded quite well through our common experience. It's a great group of supportive, quirky, intelligent people. Lucky me :)

-I haven't taken any pictures yet but will start soon (I hope). It's hard to explain how different things are here. I'll save those reflections to accompany the pictures.

I found out my permanent site placement a week ago! My village is Salamata, a village of 1,200 people. It's in Kolda which is in the soouth of Senegal, under The Gambia. There are lots trees and weeds that are taller than tall people! It's nice and vegetated which is good for the mental health; but, it's really far away and separated from the rest of Senegal/other volunteers. I just got back from visiting my site. It's beautiful and I'll be in a round clay hut with a pointy thatch roof. And it will be easy to set up my hammock in my backyard! (My super awesome camping hammock that makes me feel very, very loved.)

Of course, I forgot to take pictures, so bear with me for a bit. Everything goes slower here. There have been two other volunteers at my site so the family is fairly used to Americans. Also, I have a Health Volunteer site mate 3k from me and she seems awesome. I'm glad to have someone so close and we're already talking about collaborating on a garden at the health center to better educate children on nutrition. There is also a Master Farm at my site which is going to be a lot of work but is a great opportunity to demonstrate sustainable agriculture techniques. A Master Farm is a site working with a Senegalese partner that follows Peace Corps agriculture techniques and helps to share with other farmers in the area. I'll tell you more about it once I know more about it.

Overall, it's exciting. Time passes so differently here. Sorry for not updating sooner--I most often don't have internet and when I do I barely have time. I obviously won't have internet at site but will hopefully be able to get to it every two weeks. I'm looking forward to finding a rhythm, getting to know my site and my permanent host family, and to stop living out of a bag.

I know there's more to share but I'm out of time for today. If you want to know something in particular, ask me in a comment and I'll try to respond (in the next month).

Peace (CORPS) and Love,

!

Shamefully Quick Update

I'm here. I'm alive. And I love it.

I'm learning Fulakunda, a dialect of Pulaar, and I thoroughly enjoy my host family. They don't speak a lick of French or English so it's true immersion! I will be heading back to my homestay site for 2 weeks, which is a difficult stretch of training, but I'm confident I'll continue to learn and excel. My language teacher has high expectations for me and I'll give it all my '!'.

Won't have another update for a couple of weeks. For more details contact mom or Taylor, they know the most.

Next you hear from me I should know my permanent site placement!

Love always from Senegal (which isn't really that far away),

!