From Senegal with Love: Books, Books, Books

Hello again! I know I promised a to be continued stunner on Turkey and WAIST, but since I am still figuring out the picture situation, alas it will have to wait until next time. However, this post will most definitely not be a waste as I have pictures from the family trip in Senegal to contribute.

Now that all the holidays are over life has slowed down once again, except for the politics of course. Sunday is the big day, Senegal's national election. The country has been heating up (especially in Dakar) as President Wade and the opposing candidates make their tours and last ditch campaign efforts. There have been numerous protests and rallies throughout the country, with some getting violent. Not to fear Peace Corps volunteers are constantly updated and are safe in our villages! We'll see what happens after Sunday. If there is a discrepancy or no one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote there will be a reelection in mid-march. I'll keep you all updated!

Since I have a lot of downtime right now waiting for my Peace Corps partnership grant to be posted online, I have been doing a lot of reading. I keep track of all the books I read and I realized I average about 4 books a month. That's pretty good I think! The other week I even read three books in one week! Some good ones that I have read lately are Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser, The Sunflower by Richard Paul Evans and the Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins. I know I know why am I reading a series for teenagers? But let me tell you they are addicting! And the subject matter is kind of disturbing, especially since this series is targeted for young people. I recommend them to anyone for a fast easy read. Fast Food Nation has been around for a little while, and while I have read excerpts from it I never actually got around to reading the whole book. This book is a must read! It really shows you how everything is interconnected with food and how much power and control the fast food industry really has not just directly, but indirectly as well. If you care about food, where it comes from and basic human rights you should definitely pick this one up. On the surface the Sunflower is just another romantic novel set in an exotic place. But the premise is pretty inspiring, going on a humanitarian vacation. In this instance Peru. The author was influenced by a trip he took where not only do you get to travel around the country and see amazing sites, but you do something constructive while there. Like volunteering at an orphanage for street children and providing books and eye glasses to Amazonian Indians. I think this kind of vacation sounds perfect and rewarding. Can't wait to look into it myself!

And speaking of books I am awaiting a shipment of books for my elementary school that was finally sent from America. A few months back I requested an assortment of books from different organizations in the US. Now my village will receive a large box of books from Darien Book Aid. I am hoping the shipment will arrive in the next couple of weeks. I know my school director has been looking forward to the books to start a library at the school. I'll let you all know when they make it to Kaolack.

On a last note I know I have told many of you my mailing address may change. Due to the elections I will keep my address in Kaffrine, since I cannot travel to Kaolack anytime soon. It is the same address as I have always had and is posted on the left side of this blog. Please continue to keep the value of packages as a zero, so I don't have to pay a ton of money in taxes. Also please include a list of items just to make sure that nothing is taken out. Thanks for continuing to send me cards and packages! They are VERY much appreciated. Until next time.