So... I apologize it's been a really long time since I've updated this blog. I was actually thinking about deleting my blog, but decided what the hell I'll leave it up and try and write in it every now and then. I was never a "blogger" in the states and don't know why I thought I would keep up with it here... so just bear with me and I'll try to come up with some interesting things to say.
That being said.... damn I can't believe here for over 5 months already! I mean... it seems like just yesterday I was stepping off the plane, getting thrown in a bus bound for the training center, and having absolutely no idea what the hell I was getting myself into.
The cold season is making its escape, as I'm sure those volunteers down south can testify. It is getting hotter every day here, which I guess just happens until it rains for a long time, is still hot, and muggy, and the streets of Dakar are filled with sewage, and you can't grow any vegetables. Sounds.... great?
But, it still gets pretty cold at night here right now, and during the peak of the cold season it would get down to the low 60's where it was too cold to shower every day (sorry, I'm not sorry). And yeah, low 60's is freaking cold... I know you're rolling your eyes... but I'm sorry you don't set your house to 63 degrees and take a cold shower. Especially when you're already used to 80-90-100 degree weather. But yeah, packing my sleeping bag was absolutely necessary, and I still need it at night.
Ok... so whats new you might ask? I just got done with a very busy month involving West-Africa's All Volunteer Conference, WAIST (Softball tournament), and IST (In-Service Training). All volunteer conference was great, as there were elective presentations from volunteers in Senegal and neighboring countries who shared their projects with us. The softball tournament was a nice touch of America: softball, beer, and REAL GRASS (sorry I see a lot of sand here). Our team didn't win or anything, but it was an awesome weekend with various events to really get to know other volunteers from Senegal, Guinea, Gambia, Cameroon, Benin, Burkina-Fasso, etc.
In-Service Training was 2 weeks of nonstop gardening classes (and really pointless nationally required sessions about who knows what?) The gardening stuff was actually really helpful, answered a lot of questions I had, and sent me back to site with some great new ideas for my current gardens. The best part is I got to spend the whole 2 weeks with my awesome 56 stagemates, who are all really great to have around. Sadly, it will be the last time our whole agriculture stage will be in the same place at the same time until next All-Vol Conference. I'll miss everyone, except Urban Ags are obviously the best and I'll see them at our training in May down in Kedougou, the land of monkeys and rivers and waterfalls! Sounds magical compared to my concrete jungle, doesn't it?
Life in Dakar is.... interesting... to say the least. Sometimes I love the place, sometimes I don't want to leave my room, and sometimes I'm just not sure how I feel about it. I definitely take a lot of shit from the other volunteers, because I have running water, electricity, etc. And yes there's ice cream downtown, sure I can go to Chinese, Lebanese, Ethiopian, Cape Verdean, etc restaurants. Sure I can go to the grocery store, or the mall, or bowling. But... in general... I don't. There's not really money for me to be noosing (having fun/spending money) all day every day. Or even every other week for that matter. When other volunteers come to Dakar, they're here to spend money, to eat at restaurants, to go to the beach. I'm here to work, and given if the right group of people come to town and I'm not working that evening I'll go out for a beer after eating dinner with my family.
But... being in the city isn't all amenities at no cost... the trade off? In general, you can find my ginger ass pedaling down the busy streets as fast as I can so as not to get hit by a bus. Or, riding busses smashed in with 50 Senegalese people trying to get to my gardens. I've had two pick pocket attempts (both on busses) on me since I've moved to Dakar 3 months ago. Last time, I pushed the dude onto the ground of the bus, gave him a Wolof "F*ck you!", flipped the bird and went on my way. People are just more agressive here, and that's a fact... sometimes I wonder if I'd be happier in a small town where everyone knows me, I can go for a run without worrying about getting hit by cars, and people are generally nicer. Who knows? I love the city... and more times than not if somebody is bothering me there's enough people around to come to my defense, but it definitely wears on my patience at times.
My family is still absolutely amazing. They are always willing to chat and hang out when I'm around, or let me chill in my room and read if I'm in 'one of those moods'. Sometimes they make fun of me like: "today you don't speak Wolof"... I'm just like: "It's true.. I'm tired today, sorry." But other days I'm complimented on how well I'm speaking. My family always makes sure I've had enough to eat, and is always willing to help out in any way whether it be language, figuring out prices of things, directions, etc. They really make my time worthwhile here, and I think my most important job in the Peace Corps is learning about and sharing cultural differences with Americans, while sharing my own American upbringing and values to minimize stereotypes from both ends. I definitely don't feel like a stranger here anymore, and every day is getting easier (although I need to keep studying language which I've been slacking). I'm sure I'll bring home with me some bizarr behavioral changes that you guys can all laugh at after my service.
Ok... sorry but I've reached my limit of being able to write a blog post. My projects are going well, and I will talk more about them and other side projects in my next post. I've been asked to put more pictures on here, but it's really a pain in the ass so if you look on Facebook you can find them there... or just email me and I'll be happy to send them to you!
