Rockin a Purple Bike

Not only am I now an official Peace Corps volunteer, but I also have a sweet purple bike. On Friday we had our swearing in ceremony at the Ambassador's house in Dakar. The house is huge and very nice. We left Thies early in the morning decked out in our finest Senegalese gear to get to Dakar by 10. The ceremony was two hours long with speeches from our Country Director, Training Manager, Ambassador, Assistant Peace Corps Director for Health & EE, as well as a trainee from each language group. There were a lot of people at the event including all us trainees, some current and returned volunteers, Peace Corps staff, all of our Language and Culture Facilitators (LCFs) and people from USAID. We took our oath as volunteers and then gorged ourselves on delicious cocktail food outside including quiche, mini tea sandwiches, meats of all varieties, fatatas, and dessert! It was epic (especially those chocolate drizzled cream puffs). After the ceremony we headed over to the American Club for pool lounging and drinking. White wine has never tasted so good!

These last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind. We had our Counterpart Workshop, said goodbye to our PST families with a big party at the center, got our bikes, took our final language test, and packed up. It was hard to say goodbye to the center (food and internet) and my friends that will be going to different regions. Luckily we will all be reunited in July for our two week in-service training (IST) in Thies. Let the shenanigans continue!

I am currently in Kaolack at the regional house waiting to be installed into my new village on Wednesday. I will spend the next couple of days hanging out at the house and shopping for everything I will need for village life. I can't wait to pimp my hut! I have a lot of plans for that little mud house. I will also be staying in my village for five weeks (inshallah) in order to complete the "five week challenge" with the reward of dinner at the PC Director's house, and I guess integration too. We'll see if I can survive! I'll be going in the bush for a while so communication might be even worse than I have already made it, but feel free to call or text (or email) as I'll still have cell service!

A Note on Mail

Mail in Senegal is a bit interesting. Letters seem to take about 2 weeks or less, packages are another story. Usually packages take about 3-4 weeks to arrive, but of course that is not always the case. From talking to other volunteers the cheapest option for packages are the international flat rate boxes. Paded envelopes are also nice because they are cheaper and take only about 2 weeks. For packages be vague about what's inside like: papers, toiletries, candy, etc. If you are mailing something expensive hide it in something else. Packages coming into Senegal are always opened no matter what and I pay to pick them up. Ususally it is a set sum, but if it is really heavy or has more expensive items it costs more. I am leaving the training center in a few days, so don't send anything to that address. I am still trying to figure out what my new address will be in Kaffrine and I will post it as soon as I know. Thanks for all of the love, it is very much appreciated!