Its beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.....

Well, not really, if you count the endless summer of death that I am currently living in. Who ever would have thought it true, but I do miss freezing my butt off walking to class/making Chris drive me in any temperature below 50. More than anything, I miss Christmas in the city. Don’t get me wrong, I did pretend like I was window shopping outside Marshall Fields while shopping in the Kaolack market. But, the endless hissing and shouting “hey toubab” or for those who pretend to speak English “hey sister” (or brother when they really cant speak English), tended to annoy me more than make me smile. And especially following Tabaski, the streets were covered with trash rather than snow and Christmas cheer. Ok so that doesn’t reeeeaaaallllyyyy happen, but since I’m here, I like to pretend like it does.

I came to Kaolack, once again, for a number of reasons. I am certainly spending my time in the village and trying to learn pulaar (tons of fun let me tell you), but the dramatic drop in number of fruit trees in my backyard and the random disappearances of personal items let me know that it was time to leave for a night. That, and I wanted to decorate Chrismas cookies. So here I am, spoonless, toothbrushless and alarm clockless (all taken by the fam…random) but I’ve got cookies. Not that I can eat them. However, I will eat them all in front of my family out of spite. Hey, maybe I’ll even eat them with the new spoon I bought, fully equipped with my initials via permanent marker.























However, it is questionable if I will go back to the village today. Yesterday on my way into Kaolack, I found myself stuck in Nioro because the Alhum driver decided he wanted a nap. WHAT?!?! Oh Africa! Being without my nalgene and dying of thirst, I had no other option but to buy water from a street vender. In some circumstances this is okay because the water is in “sterile” water bags. Meaning, purified water bags instead of the one I drank: Pretty much a plastic bag that tasted like someone’s hand and was filled with puddle water. Greeeaaaattt….. Needless to say, my tummy hasn’t felt so good since last night and I’m afraid Galaas is rearing his ugly head again….NOOOOOO!!!!

On a brighter note though, the Alhum I rode in today was extra classy. When I stepped on, I wasn’t sure if a Mexican birthday party had thrown up all over the inside of it or if Snoop Dog was throwing a party. First, the festive blue with white ruffled fabric hanging down every row and down the windows was perfect length to just touch the top of my head. I wonder how many other people’s heads it has touched? Ew. The gauwdy gold pictures of Muslim Cheiks hung down like Pinatas all around the car constantly bumping people as they walked by. But with the windows obviously lacking a tint, the sun reflected of the disco ball hanging from the center of the car. Right from the stomach of a life size cut out of Snoop Dog. Again, WHAT?!?! The entire ride I had the pleasure of listening to “gin and juice” dubbed into French, while being blinded by Snoops disco ball bellybutton. It was great. Not to mention the chickens that were under the seat in front of me pecking my toes for the entire 3 hours. I swear it was an accident that I dropped my bag on them. 6 times. Whoops!

I’ll keep everyone posted on my whereabouts. Keep stalking me on google earth Chris haha! Maybe you’ll see my hut sans banana and papaya trees. I’ll probably be back in Kaolack on the 22nd or 23rd before I head to Dakar for Christmas. Yay Beach!

Oh also, if anyone can find some information on NGO’s who deal with building wells or info about grants and that kind of stuff let me know!!! I think I’m going to start working with that. When I went to the gardens, the people digging the wells made sure to stop for about 2 hours to tell me how tiring it is to build a well. Think they were trying to drop a hint? Well, I caught on so I’m going to see what I can do with it.

Enjoy the snow and downtown Chicago for me!!! Steal a present off the big tree since I’m not there to do it dad!


Also, there is a new critter in my hut....Look closely and see if you can find him. He needs a name. Unfortunately, Tyler, has already be taken by Rachel's roommate.

Tell me Sira Ba, have the lambs stopped screaming?

Actually Dr. Lecter, no they have not!!!!

Tabaski-- the Muslim equivalent of Christmas sans presents. I think the best way to describe any type of Senegalese holiday is anti-climactic. There was so much build up from my family about it for days before, a countdown even. Waking up that morning, i expected a breakfast of something other than well, my best friend millet. I was sadly disappointed. Thank god for my scrambled eggs and starbucks espresso that I made for myself instead. Sorry millet and fish heads, there are much better things in life than you.

Looking sadly at the sheep who is going to bite the big one, I waited uneasily as it frolicked around the yard completely unaware of his fate. As he was tied to the tree I fought back tears and ran into my room and grabbed my IPOD. Theres nothing like a little Barry White while you're forced to watch a sheep get slaughtered. Utterly horrified and unable to hide it on my face, my families laughter was less than appreciated. Especially when they tried to hand me the rusty machete. Yea laugh it up guys, ever seen a creepy mutant sheep movie called black sheep? Well I have. Jerks.

An afternoon snack of "Teew," meat, was a pretty broad description of what I ate/might have ate. A spoon full of sheep testicles accidentally fell out of my hand and on to the ground. Accidentally. Im pretty sure I don't need testosterone, especially from a sheep. Egads! And the bowl filled more with bones than actual meat was attacked by hands and mouth noises more than I could handle. Oh wow, mi haari! I'm full. Time to break out the food stash in my room. Damn it, those starbursts are a poor substitute sheep balls. Yea right :)

I didnt even have to wear my senegalese clothes because only the younger girls changed into their nice clothes and dolled themselves up "libby lou" style. Glitter galore. This turned into me as a personal photographer, I was not impressed. My camera just happened to die and I have to buy the batteries in Dakar. I don't but it gets me out of picture taking until after new years I suppose. Oh well, another lie whatever. But as I sat, cameraless, on the rugs outside, the sun began to set and the other sheep were returning from the fields. I swear to god they new what had taken place earlier that morning. Well, it could have been the blood soaked sand everywhere. But as they walked past my hut and into the compound, they all stopped, dead in their tracks if you will, and looked at me. Then at the blood, back at me, blood, me. I think I have it coming when I go back to the village. Those sheep are plotting against me. I swear I didn't do it!!!! I didn't even eat it!!!! Those sheep are creepers and they definitely knew.

Coming out of the village this time was a much needed break. A few nights ending in tears and the never ending battle with the termites has finally started to get to me. Although I am growing rather attached to the bat. His name is Felix. But, having things "borrowed" from my hut only to be returned broken was fun. Even though they are only scissors, they were golden. What the hell. Oh and my wonderful bananas are no more. My family came in and chopped them down. I asked for some, but the response was that "well sira ba, you didn't plant them so why should you get them?" Newsflash genius, neither did you. I cried alot and didn't talk to them for a day and a half. I'm still bitter, a little.

I will be coming back to Kaolack again after a short 2 day stint with the termites and banana thieves to decorate christmas cookies. Then its off to Goree Island for Christmas. Sad that I wont be spending time with my family and friends, but I think the egg nog and wine might help with that. Haha just kidding mom!

I love you guys, Merry Christmas! Call me anytime!

Thanksgiving in Senegal

It was well.....strange to say the least. I spent the day and night in the Kaolack regional house along with about 20 other volunteers. Despite the 100° heat, one thing that did make it feel like Thanksgiving however, was cooking. I made some awesome apple pies and of course pumpkin pies, yum! Also, true to thanksgiving form, I made spinach dip for an appetizer. Overall it was a pretty good time, one of the guys even made some millet bread instead of regular since I cant eat that! So nice!

And while I am a bit disappointed, but slightly relieved, that we did not kill the turkey ourselves I was there for the head chopping (with a dull knife--ick). But explain to me how I can watch this going on with nothing more than an "eww dude, thats pretty nasty" and continue to drink my wine, but when a cricket the size of my foot came into my hut, I trapped it under a tupperware container and kept it their until my friend came to visit and I made him get rid of it. All the while hiding myself under the mosquito net and eating starburst as consolation. Sometimes Im so strange! but the thing was nasty, so i guess its okay.

I really missed just hanging out with the family and am still feeling a little down :( And after seeing some of the events of the evening, Im not really looking that forward to Christmas or New Years. Christmas especially though. There are some holidays that I think are just inappropriate to be out of control drunk. Christmas being one of them, thanksgiving too which is probably why I was feeling down last night. Its just not me, and its frustrating to constantly be in that environment. So, hopefully I can find something to do on Christmas that doesnt involve massive consumption of alcoholic beverages. I hope.

PS--- who are we kidding mom, ill always want a sloth :) Although I fear Im becoming more and more like them each day that passes. Awesome!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!!

The infamous christmas list

ok guys here it goes. So, its that time of year again for the ridiculous christmas lists created by yours truly. This year though, I have a feeling it is a bit more random.

Make up: anything bare essentials, I love their eye shadow and thats what I need the most (pinks, purples, browns and nudes are usually what i wear), I need some eyeliner (brown or black) and of course lip gloss

Cute shirts (plain colored fitted tees XS or S and some cute tank tops too)

flip flops because mine broke and the plastic african ones just dont cut it for me

fun fashion jewelry

Nail polish and remover, pummus stone, nail file etc.

Itunes cards would also be ideal

A reeses peanut butter cup :) please please!!

And the completely outrageous, typical weirdo sarah animal I want for christmas this year is a baby fainting goat, the regular ones here just arent as fun!

Just got back from Dakar though, and had a blast!! Im really excited about maybe getting a bissap juice/jam project started in my village sometime this year. Even though the trip was work related, I still managed to be my rowdy self, swim in a pool, eat too much ice cream and drink too much delicious red wine :) at the moment, im sweating in Kaolack and wasting time before I make some pumkin pie. No spinach dip though sad. Unfortunately I dont have time to write more though. I do have my old phone back so give me a call if you miss me!!! Love you all!

True Life: I'm an awkward Peanut farmer

I wonder to myself about a hundred times a day “what the heck am I doing here.” Don’t get me wrong, I love it and I’m having a blast. There are those moments when I’m biking through the bush (15 K this morning….ahh!) that I think to myself, this is exactly what I should be doing. And I know I made the right choice. But in between those few moments of clarity, I just laugh and wonder, where the hell am I?!? For example, during my bucket bath the other afternoon, while washing my hair, my fence started shaking uncontrollably. Startled, I jumped up, dripping with shampoo and took a closer look. A herd of sheep were scratching themselves and bah-ing like crazy. As one poked its head in to see what I was doing, I couldn’t help but start laughing and think…..Sarah this is hilarious. Or then of course there are always the times when I look across the compound at my hut and wonder if that really was a goat/chicken/cat that came out of my room? The answer is always yes. Yes it was. And again, yes that baby goat was sleeping on my pillow. Nice.

My family is great though. My dad, Samba Ba, is really helpful and he is also my counterpart. He has 2 wives, very strange to me still, but I’m getting used to it. Cumba, his first wife is about 35 and has 6 kids. AHHH! And Awa, his second wife is pregnant with her second one. She’s 21, wow. When I don’t have anything to do, I pretty much just follow Cumba around and do whatever she’s doing. Most days that includes going to the fields and being a peanut farmer. I am the MOST awkward peanut farmer of all times! When they give me my bag of peanuts at the end of the afternoon, I don’t really have the heart to tell them that I actually hate peanuts. Oh well. But, in general, my days are boring. I figure that if I’ve said hello and gone through the greetings with half the village each day, its been a successful day. Completely different from American thinking, but whatever.

****Side note*******However, while greeting the village one afternoon, I started talking to the only man who speaks some English. As he came over to sit, I think he was trying to say he was sitting. It didn’t come out that way. Instead, he said “I have semen.” I couldn’t help but bust out laughing so hard that I had to get up an leave with the only reply of “well, yes. Yes you do!” HAHAHAHAHA!

My hut is, well, a hut. Its cute and I’ve definitely put my touch on it (aka pictures of Shia Labeouf, haha thanks Rae). But, considering that there is no screen door or anything to keep the critters out, life has gotten so much more interesting. Duct tape is saving my life to say the least. This being said, I’ve had some interesting nights with the critters inhabiting my house. As we speak, there is a monster size mouse/rat patrolling the top perimeter of my hut. Every time I hear a noise, I’m terrified that 10 pound mouse is going to fall on my head. That would not be a fun moment in my life. Gross. This mouse is not nearly as cute as the ones in Rachel’s place. Oh Tyler.

Anyways, aside from the rat (who has yet to be named), I awoke the other night to the sound of something rummaging through my thatch roof. Hmmm, pitch black and freaking out. Being the genius that I am, I turn on my light and shine it around. Ha! Good call on that one Sar. No sooner do I shine my light does a bat, YES A BAT, start flying frantically around my head. Holy crap, white girl freak out moment. Think John Candy in the Great Outdoors. Not pretty. But I figured as long as he doesn’t eat through my mosquito net, I’ll be ok. Finally, I fall back asleep only to wake up at 6am next to a monster termite mound literally a foot and a half from my head. Again, gross. Until I can get to Nioro and buy termite stuff, I’ve resorted to do it yourself methods. Enter the duct tape.

I heard that 40 percent of Peace Corps is spent sleeping. And after just a few short days in Pakane Toucouleur, I’ve come to the conclusion that this is certainly plausible. I have found that village life embraces my old lady tendencies of going to bed at 9pm or earlier every night along with a 2 hour nap mid-day. In all honesty, I sleep to fight off boredom more than anything else. I can only read so much in one day and use my small amount of pulaar vocab so often. I mean really, how many times does someone want to hear “its hot today” or “you are sitting.” Yes, for the 10^th time today, I am sitting.

Long story short, my life is quite boring. I’m going to Dakar on Thursday for some semi-american style living. I’ll be there till Monday and I’ll have my phone back yay! Feel free to call me anytime, I’m always up for a call. Chris is was good to hear from you the other night. I hope the Praxis went well and I know you did great. I love you and stop stressing about a job. Mom, dad and Rachel, I love you all too and can’t wait to talk to you again soon. I have a new address finally yay so we can start doing mail again! And to all my friends don’t think I’ve forgot about you. For those of you who have sent letters and emails you have no idea how much they mean to me. I’ll be getting back to you as soon as I can!

let me know if you want my address, I don't want to put it on here because there are crazies who will stalk me :)

Swear In...we made it!

So we are officially volunteers!!!! 40 of us came to Senegal 2 months ago, and now 40 of us swore in as official volunteers. Apparently that is unheard of. At least one person always goes home during training. We're just awesome...I guess.

My last night as a Trainee

Well ladies and gentlemen, it seems that I've made it through training. Tomorrow at 730 AM I will make my final trip to Dakar as a non-volunteer. Hooray!!!! Africa hasn't killed me......yet......

The end of PST is bittersweet. While I will enjoy not having every aspect of my life planned out for me or living with the Taateen Mafia family, I'm going to miss my built in friends and the late night dance parties in the discohut and Peace corps bus. They didn't know we got in it and danced haha! On Sunday afternoon, I'm heading to Kaolack to get ready for my install. Peace corps uses the term "installation" for us to be moved into our permanent sites. However, I'm not sure if that is the best way to describe the process seeing as how I'm not a refrigerator.

I'll spend until Tuesday early afternoon in Kaolack before moving into my hut in Pakane. Ah!!! Also, I'll have a mailing address finally (at the latest Tuesday) and will let you know what that is. Gotta run though. I have to learn the Senegal national anthem..... getting the clicks into the right key might be a little difficult. :)

Wish me luck!

An Ode to Millet

First things first.....I got your packages and I love love love you! Who knew rice crispy treats could taste so good? Mr and Mrs Pittenger, your package caught me completely off guard and I was so excited....I'm making everyone jealous with all my love from home. And rachel, love of my life Rachel. I love the sister box!!!!! Nail polish, cute undies, Shia Laboeuf.......what more could a girl ask for? I love you all so much! And mom and dad you know I always appreciate your boxes.

And now.....an African haiku

Am I eating sand?
Millet is my enemy
I am not a bird.

I have developed a love-hate relationship with the wonderful and favorite grain of Senegal: Millet. Actually, its a hate-hate relationship. Funny thing, a vet once told me that I should feed my parakeets millet. Apparently its like chocolate for birds, is the way he put it. Now, here I am, right along with the memories of Larry....sad.....eating the millet that he would have loved. I would gladly give it to a hungry parakeet though.

I am not sure how much of the lacciri (millet couscous with a bean/fishbone sauce) is actually millet, and how much is good 'ole fashioned African sand. Secretly each night I hope for something other than millet, it never happens. As I plunge the crusty spoon blindly into the dark bowl alongside my little sisters (who all still have pink eye by the way), I still maintain a little bit of hope that its a huge bowl of Cheesecake Factory Nachos. News flash, it never is. Damn.

Crunch! Oh theres that fishbone again digging its way into the roof of my mouth. Funny, we're not having fish tonight? I just keep telling myself to block it out and pay attention the french dubbed Desperate housewives or 24 (my family LOVES jack bauer for some reason). Four bites in and trying my best to take couscous-like millet the same way I would a pill, oh Mi Haari. Again, I'm full, but this time, drum role please!!!!!! The Pittengers sent rice crispy treats! I savor the processed sugar in the safety of my mosquito net and away from the constant "eat more eat more!" In the village, my bed time had turned into 830-9pm. I'm pretty cool, I know.

But, I must give them credit. With the nastiness we know as millet, they have adapted some creative techniques in its plating. There are a number of ways you can make a millet dish. I, indeed, have tried them all. Unfortunately.
1.) Lacciri: my "favorite" millet dish described more detailed in the paragraphs above
2.) Millet and milk: The actual millet is more fluffy than lacciri, which is more of a paste, and then we pour unpasturized, direct from the utter milk. Oh yea....but surprisingly not too bad and I will actually look forward to this one. Maybe, if i'm hungry enough.
3.) Millet pourrage: Cream/fish sauce/millet and maybe some chunks of something I cant quite make out.
4.) Sweet millet ball pourrage thingy: Sugar, balls of millet and milk. In theory it would be delicious. Its like a cereal like dish. But the unpasturized milk that has been sitting out for a few hours in the hot sun give it a soured taste that I cant bring myself to enjoy. Gag!
-Also, if you leave this out over night it solidifies and becomes more of a thick oatmeal/gel. Yes, I have eaten it and surprisingly its better than the original way. I wonder why I got a parasite right?

However, one thing that I am willing to try on my own involving millet is onion rings. I am pretty sure that I could make some bomb onion rings. Do an egg wash and dip them into pounded millet, fry those babies up. Delish. I'm willing to try it, and then eat the crap out of them, good or not. They can't be worse than goat face though right?

Pounding millet however has become a fun past time. Until my family makes me stop because they think i'm tired and cant stop laughing. Jerks. Africa not fun.

Millet oh Millet (To the tune of Homework oh homework, I hate you you stink):

Millet oh millet, I hate you, you're sand,
I wish I could ruin you with my left hand.

If only the bowl would tip over and spill,
even sans gluten, you're making me ill.

I'd rather take baths with a huge centipede
than be forced to eat millet I'll never concede!

Millet oh millet, I hate you, you're sand
I hate when you grow, get out of this land.

Recent random cravings:
-Nachos from Cheesecake factory
-Tuxedo cheescake (also from the factory)
-Chicken empanadas from Sangria in Chicago
-Dark chocolate M&Ms
-Whole clove roasted garlic bread and oil with herbs and balsamic vinager :)

Hell hath no fury like an african parasite in an american girl!

Oh we thought I had problems before......

Maybe its the exhaustion of Peace corps, maybe its the stress of everything here, maybe its a lot of things making my system more susceptible to well....lets face it....a living organism. First the gluten, then a boil, now a parasite? What the hell, I'm a walking medical session in the peace corps.

The good news is that my pulaar is improving enough to tell my family that I have a 103.5 fever and that I am NOT getting out of bed this morning. Of course, the hammering things on to the wall connected to my room and the confused looks when I told them make me think that my african mom = nothing like my real mom :( I don't think they cared. at all. Sad. Oh funny story though....

When I arrived at my village Hawa, one of my little sisters (about 4) ran up so excited and quickly grabbed my hand and led me back to the compound. After jumping onto my lap (before I even sat down) she whipped around and smiled her great big smile. "Binta Sih!" Cute, except for the fact that she was cover in....drum role please.....pink eye. Damn it. I proceeded to mean mug her until she fell off my lap and doused her in purell. Haha not really but that was the scene that played out in my head. My thoughts...under no circumstances are you to touch your eye!!!! I Purelled my life away ASAP! She's still adorable despite the goopey pink eye though.

Anyway....my family definitely noticed that i'm sick. Frequent bathroom trips I don't think are common in Africa unless you are. Because seriously, Africa bathrooms aren't pleasant. Especially at night. But, my question is..... why did they leave a bucket in my room randomly. I'm a little afraid to ask and I returned it the next morning. Hmmmmm...... the question endures.

But why do Africans think that the cure to any malady is food? My fever is 103, I'm sweating like a monster and running to the bathroom. I don't really want to make a pitstop on the way to the toilet to eat a monster bowl of rice and god knows what with the pink eyed children eating with their hands. My "dad" called me out last night for not eating. When I told him why he tried to take me to the hospital. I refused and said that the peace corps would take care of it.....hmmmm not thinking so. When I called I got the typical response of well, drink ORS and take some Ibprofen. Not helpful Med....not helpful.

So this last time in the village, with my health failing and my patience grading......i'm throwing up the Seneglese chicken wing hand motion. I refuse! To eat 3 lunches and 4 dinners, to play with your pink eye and use a bucket for an unknown reason. Haha!

For those of you who may be wondering, I'm not completely miserable. It is fun despite Galaas (my parasite) and my constant stomach ache. I'm excited to go to my site except for one little issue. My closest neighbor informed me that we have a river (YAY swimming!), but wait, dad don't worry there aren't alligators like you asked. No....there are pythons. But then I thought, they aren't poisonous and they dont have fangs. I soon realized that while this is true, they'll squeeze me to death and eat me. Great!

Again, I'm continuing to have random cravings for weird foods in the united states. Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Captain Crunch crunch berries, mexican food mostly and then always Tsukasa. Yum! And the larium dreams are kicking in. I've had a lot where I feel like I'm half sleeping, but not in my bed. In some kind of insect infested area. On our site visit I had one that I was sleeping in a compost pit with monster millapedes. And another the other night where the edge of my bed is actually the opening to like an ant hill or something. So I spend the night crouched in the corner of my bed terrified that these things are actually happened. So i'm not really seeing them which I guess is good, but I definitely am convinced until morning that I'm sleeping with bugs. Yikes!

Africa: 2 Sarah: 0

Love you guys and thanks for the encouragement! I miss you! Also, from this point on, wait to send me anything until I put up my new address. I should have it soon!

rough night

the beach was crazy......like a fraternity party almost.

I miss my buhoe and I think I have a boil on the top of my foot....its nasty :(

thats all for now. I'm exhausted and don't really have the energy to do a long entertaining blog. sorry, love you all!

Charets, Earwigs and one skinny little girl

So the anticipated volunteer site visit has come and gone. Its strange, the days seem so long, but at the same time its crazy that a month has already passed. 23 months left guys!!!!! I leave for my training village with a lot more courage, a little more language confidence and a couple pounds (probably from dinner tonight--i heffed it up and there were bananas for dessert yum!). Africa FUN!!!!

I was really looking forward to this site visit, maybe a little too much. I didn't end up going to my site (bummer), but we went to the girl who's in my training village's site. The volunteer, who shall remain nameless for the moment, was.....well, lets just say it wasn't the cleanest hut i've ever seen in my days. But first things first. After leaving Kaolack via Alhum, an hour later I found myself traveling into the bush by Sharet for another 2 1/2 hours. Yikes!

Alhum: A truck-ish kind of vehicle that seats probably 60. Not comfortably mind you. Only about the width of a pickup truck with 10 rows that seat 5 or 6 people across, the cleverly named Alhumdulillah is not my favorite. I think the direct translation of that is something like Praise be to God. In my opinion, it should be named Inchallah. Translation: God willing. As in, God willing, this thing will make it to its destination, despite the potholes in the road. More like road in the potholes!

Charet: A horse drawn cart. Cute....

It rained all day, so the charet ride was less than pleasant. But surprisingly more so than the way back to civilization. Upon arrival, things were fine. A tasty dinner of Millet flavored sand and beans, followed by the same millet swimming in a bowl of milk straight from the cow. Delicious???? maybe i'll let myself get a little hungrier before opting for that one again. Mosquito net up and we're in bed. I chose to sleep on the broken cot instead of snuggling up to a random non-deodorant wearing, potentially lice infested boy. (Just for you Chris because you know I was tempted on that one :) )

Next morning, breakfast! Starving lets open the bowl!!! What! Thats right all, its the same millet and beans and millet and milk from last night!!!! Ugh, 3 bites and a protein bar it is. At this point i'm not too concerned, or didn't really pay attention, at the fact that after spilling millet and milk all over the floor, it wasn't cleaned up. Hmmm......

A day in the garden and its back to the bucket for a bath where i'm attacked by stink bugs and go running back into the hut still lathered up and the war has officially begun. Sick from the gluten at lunch, I hit the sack early. Never having had an issue before I pop the mosquito net down and close my eyes. Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, I forgot something and turned on my flashlight to find that I was not the only one sleeping on the broken cot. A clan of earwigs decided to take shelter inside my net. LOVELY! Skinny girl freak out MAJOR!!!! it wasn't pretty. The rest of the nights provided entertainment to the volunteer and Natalie while I spent the necessary 25 minutes each night to inspect my net for any type of bug. Regardless, I didn't sleep for 3 days and I now have an ear ache. I think one may have crawled in my ear and nested. Crap---creeping eruption will not be fun in my ear. Actually, creeping eruption isn't in your ear, its a fungal bacteria thing and yes, a girl in my stage has it right now. It sucks.

Anyway, after an endless battle with bugs, earwigs and feeling like the oddball out since i'm more human rights than environmental maniac, we head out. Back to Thies. The sun is shining and i'm on the Charet, leaning against the back with my feet up enjoying the ride. I'ts fairly smooth and I think, this isn't so bad, I almost forget that i'm in Africa (minus the earwigs). Oh whoops! the wheel fell off. Oh yea, Sarah, you're still in Africa, how could you forget? An hour later, I'm sitting across a thin piece of wood and leaning on nothing. Holding on for dear life, I eventually begin to relax again. Oh whoops!!! Your butt fell through a hole and you're stuck practically under the horse. Please don't poop!!!!! You're still in Africa and at the moment---Africa NOT fun!!!

But, bruised lack of butt and all, back in the training center bubble in Thies, I'm relaxed. Clean (yay for showers) and ready for the beach tomorrow. Thats right!!!! Beach weekend, be jealous!!!

I'll be in the village starting Tuesday till next Sunday. Call my cell or else i'll talk to you guys when I get back. LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU!!! (And Chris don't worry, the money will work itself out and we have Paris and the Senegalese waterfalls to look forward to!!!)

--Oh and correction, the hut is not being built now. I'm the second volunteer to go to Pakane, but my family is supposedly amazing and there are banana and papaya trees in my back yard. Plus, Pulaars are herders so I'll have milk (unpasteurized but at least I don't have to worry about osteoporosis!!) And its on the delta yay!

How do you say “I’m allergic to goat face” in Pulaar?

Well, I have to say, the Senegalese people are definitely friendlier on and after Korite. But then again, wouldn’t you be grumpy too if you had to fast for an entire month? Korite: the celebration of the end of Ramadan when Muslims break the fast and eat for an ENTIRE day. On the bright side for me, I don’t have to eat alone in my room anymore, unless of course they hate me ☺ But in general, I’ll eat from the bowls with them. Welcome to your new home germs! My body.

Our celebratory meal of meat, noodles and an onion, garlic sauce was certainly a nice change up from the usual rice (gluten galore) fish (aka fish bones) and some kind of veggie cooked beyond any recognition. However, as my family joked with me earlier that morning about how funny it would be to see me cook the Korite meal, I peeled potatoes and sliced onions in the back while they prepared the meal. Luckily, being a woman, I was not around when the deed was done but I did get to witness the aftermath of pre-cooked goat dinner. Unlike my fellow village trainee Michael. Yikes!!!!

Greeted by a bowl of fur, flies and goat, I put on my sunglasses and pretended to fan myself to keep from looking tooooooo horrified. Dad and Rachel, you know how hard it is for me to hide anything on my face. I’m sure they noticed. Thankfully, they took the glaring goat away from sight and to my knowledge cooked the crap out of it. Can’t be sure though. Soon, they returned with a bowl of cooked something, my guess is the same stuff you pull out of a turkey but in a goat. Haha! I think I ate a kidney.

Africa: 1 Sarah: 0

My question here, however, is not with the goat itself. But, why do we need to eat the goat face as opposed to say, the leg? Yes I know that some cultures have delicacies such as eyeballs and hearts…… But to my knowledge, I’m the only trainee who had to eat a face. Everyone else got donuts ☹ Sad but not surprising considering my luck.

Later in the evening, the women brought out the bowls and while removing the lid, just like out of the movies, the theme from Psycho blasts through my head as I’m greeted with a goat face! BAAAHHHH aka Murderer in Goat language! Maybe it’s the malaria medicine or I’m just going crazy but I could have sworn the goats were loader and more obnoxious that day. As I ate, my family kept throwing the eyeball over on my part and I, like clockwork, kept throwing it back until “Mi Haari.” I’m full. “But Binta, you didn’t eat your eyeball!” I don’t think they believed me when I said “Of course I did, and it was delicious hahaha”

On a lighter note, I kind of feel like a puppet in Taaten. Any time I enter a room its “Binta Am!!!! Dance! They think its hilarious to see a white girl shake her butt like they do. As do I. The uproar of laughter when I tried to explain that in America I have a butt, but in Africa not so much is something that I will never forget. Well, that and the fact that I cant walk through the village without one of the girls or women pinching my back side. Hahaha! Sarah’s butt is loved world wide ☺

Things are looking up here, I’m starting to settle in, even though I think 11 days in a 3 house village is way too long without any outside contact! Also, my bed is lopsided and I definitely fell out one night. The other trainees got a kick out of that one. Thanks for laughing at me guys. Haha!

I got your letters and the packages today! I love and miss you all and I’ll talk to you soon. I’ll be on a volunteer visit for the next week then I’ll be back in Thies. Call my cell for anything I’d love to hear from you ☺

Also, I found out my site!!!!!! I’m going to Pakane Toucouleur in the Kaolack region. Its 12km from the department capital so that’s close to internet and stuff like that. They’re building my house now which is great! NO BUGS AND MY OWN BATHROOM!!!! Its really good too because that means that I wont be living with a family, it’ll be my own house! The roads are paved which is awesome for biking too! I’m not the first volunteer and there’s a JICA volunteer there too. That’s the Japanese Peace Corps which is kinda cool! The best part is that my closest friend here is going to be right next to me!!! YAY FOR FRIENDS!





This is my significant other for the next 2 years :)





---PS my body is adjusting a little better!!! Thanks for all your comments it gives me something to look forward too.

Status: still sweaty but eating ice cream :) and I carried a bucket on my head :) :) and also, it takes forever to upload photos here, thats why there isn't more :(

buckets and ice c

Who's got ameobas?

Status: I'm always hungry, always sweaty, so exhausted all the time, I am a giant mosquito bite, getting skinnier as we speak and getting really sick of flies. My email inbox and mailbox are still empty :( sad

As of right now, I do not but i was informed that I will have them in a few months. GREAT!!!! haha! I guess its more of an initiation thing than anything else. However, this whole not eating business has started to take its toll. I feel weak and shaky almost every day, but I've been willing to deal with it (despite the heat) to avoid a greater fate of being violently ill from all the gluten and wheat in the meals. What I wouldn't give for a delicious dinner in the states. Or an Avocado hoagie--bread and all. I'd put up with the cramps from that if it meant I wasn't hungry.

So the toe.....it was doing great!!!!! But after a "light" game of soccer, I'm back to bandages. Had it only been our PC group, everything would have been just fine. We weren't playing competitively and no one really had to worry about guarding me because lets face it, I suck at soccer haha! Even after some of the seneglese kids joined in (who are REALLY good by the way) things were fine. Until some crazy 30 something year old Iranian dude popped into the game. No one even saw where he came from either! So I had the ball and kicked it away, since i suck and didn't want the ball. After (repeat AFTER) the ball had been gone for a good 30 seconds or so the guy comes up and kicks me right in the toe. I went down. HARD! the guy then proceeded to try to touch my toe repeatedly after I kept smacking his hands away and the guys told him to leave. One of the boys was helping me limp home and sure enough a creepy molester van pulls up, fully equipped with the iranian and tried to get us to get in. Yea right creeper haha!

Random: a lizard just ran across my feet. He was cute. I probably have ebola now.

Last night we went out for the first time and had a blast. Got a little schwastey not gonna lie, but don't worry mom, everything was fine. By schwastey, I mean 2 beers haha! Oh and I do enjoy that the frites are put on the sandwiches here at restaurants. Its the meme chose as chips on sandwiches in the US! yay! But bad part, I just found a part of a plastic bag cooked into my sandwich. Again, I have ebola now, or ameobas :(

Just to warn you all I won't be on the internet probably for the next two weeks. 11 full days at the village should be interesting for sure. Bucket shower everyday with the monster spider yikes! But also if you want to skype me my name is Buhoe1. And don't worry mom, I miss you too!

-i was putting up a picture but its taking too freakin long...sorry no luck :(

Mbiyete mi ko Binta Sih

So, I had my first home stay experience in an African village. And in retrospect it really wasn't that bad. My family is so welcoming and trying to help me with the language (which is absolutely crazy!). Pulaar is definitely a challenge to learn and I feel like an idiot with my family since I can't speak anything and its a complete immersion program. The title says that my name (in Senegal) is Binta Sih. Weird that my sister's name is the exact same. Talk about confusing!

My room is pretty nice. Its HUGE!!! but there's only a bed in it so it looks even bigger. I have to close my window and door at night too keep the critters out so its like an oven. I've lost at least five pounds already in sweat and the inability to eat alone! Since its ramadan, I have to eat lunch in my room which is actually really helpful since I cant really eat gluten and everything here is carbs. Yikes!!! Not to mention the fish head looking at me. Yay vegetarian diet at the training center!!!! Anyway, there's a donkey that lives outside my window and continues to make noise from sun up to sun down and every moment in between. And, if you were ever wonder if Roosters really sound like that. Yes, they do. And no, its not just when the sun comes up. Its when it comes up and every 5 minutes after that! its great. Oh and there all giant turkeys that run around my village and all I can think is THANKSGIVING!!!! haha! But my sisters are great. I sat around peeling beans with them and pointing to a bunch of things and asking what the pulaar word was. I felt retarded haha! and I've never been laughed at so much in my life.

As far as the food. Its tough. I can't eat anything and as a result, I almost passed out at my training sight and succeeded in thoroughly freaking out the town. Which the negative effect is now that they make me eat everything in sight (everything gluten) and i'm even sicker ah! plus the PCMO's recommendation for cleaning water is bleach, so i feel sick even more often. Yay peace corp solutions to untreated water!


As you can see, everything is touching and its all carbs basically....I cant eat anything











My emotional state was questionable since i couldnt get a hold of my buhoe and was sick and frustrated. So we got back into town and got beer and ice cream yum. There's a ben and jerry's in dakar so i'm really excited for that.

Im excited and a lot more encouraged since i talked to him and i cant wait until June when I see him and until next christmas when I'm home for a month. I got a cell phone so shoot me a message I'll give you the number.

I planted a garden today during training, apparently I have to plant 50 trees next week yikes!!!! But its ok, if you all are going to send anything though, make sure its gluten free! Also, please send me some letters. its really depressing when other people get letters and I dont. So get on that people, come on i'm over here in the middle of nowhere while you watch tv and drink your cold beers...i feel so bad for you haha! Love you guys

Peace Corps Quote #3 "So, this isnt FDA approved, but......."

on the way to our site!

Oh yikes Africa.

Today I finally was able to leave the compound which was WONDERFUL!!!! The training site is ok, full of mosquitos and the only green area in the city. Probably why there are so many mosquitoes. I am convinced that I will die by mosquito bite sometime while i'm here. Either that or malaria. Hopefully neither, but i'm convinced. Right down the street is a maximum security prison and a "red zone" but the train tracks which we are not allowed to go (obviously). I guess someone was found dead there last month (not a pc volunteer mom chill out). The town is crazy and confusing.....and sweaty. I don't speak wolof so I cant really communicate unless someone speaks french. Actually, I wont even be learning Wolof. I'll be learning Pulaar which is spoken in more places than just Senegal. Its more of a nomadic language.

For those of you who are wondering when you'll get to see my beautiful sweaty face again. Other than Chris or anyone who is coming to visit, I'll be back to visit the states and put on weight again is Next Christmas for like 2 weeks. So get excited and buy me lots of christmas presents and candy k? thanks

As far as my health, that is questionable already. I've had a stomach ache since I got here. The heat probably doesn't help the nausea and I can already tell that my weight will drop dramatically. The food is decent despite it all touching :) Luckily its taboo in Seneglese culture to take a bite of multiple things at once. Yay for my phobia!! But my stomach isn't really able to handle it and whenever I smell it cooking, waves of nausea hit. Apparently everyone else likes it though. My body is just weird I guess. Which sucks for me since this is when they're feeding us well. I'll basically live off whatever I can make since the sanitation standards are much different from the states. That and I really don't want to get sick in a squaty. The toe is hanging in there all though I'm not sure how long. Keeping it clean is the hard part since i'm constantly walking in sand. Also, I got a rabies, hep A and meningitis vaccine. My arm is going to fall off.

I totally lucked out in my training hut. I'm in a room with 3 other girls and my mosquito net and pictures have become my comfort zone. Never thought that'd be the case, even when my bed has an imprint of my body in it at all times haha! Fat body.....yea right. But, our batiment (kinda like a barrack) has western toilets!!!! Now, you guys know that I cant even pee at a gas station restroom, but i've never been so happy to see a toilet in my life. Fear #1 overcome. The showers are cold and its wonderful!!!!

The days are long but the cultural training is fun. I learned how to carry water on my head yesterday. Its heavy and yes, it is hard. I am the sweatiest person you will probably ever meet. I actually wrang out my shirt today after getting back from the market. I am disgusting. But mascara makes me feel pretty :)

I'll have my own hut which I was disappointed about before, but now I'm really excited and am really looking forward to the privacy and time to make my own food and stuff.

As far as things to send FOOD! and TOILET PAPER!!! I found out the reason its not acceptable to use your left hand for anything and let me tell you, I will not be taking part in that tradition. Toilet paper is a must in my life. Everything else, I'm pretty much set on for a while. Except that my alarm clock doesnt work, but if I have a phone I should be ok, at least for a while.

FOOD FUN THINGS TO SEND:
-Candy that won't melt (skittles, jolly ranchers, etc.)
-Crackers
-Cliff Bars, they don't really melt and give me extra calories and protein
-Dried Cranberries are like my candy
-maybe some pasta once I get to my village so I don't always have to have rice
-cookies (the butter cookies that you can put around your fingers would be delicious)
other yummy non-melty stuff you can think of would be great too

everybody enjoy the american food. i miss it and I cant wait to eat it next december Love you all!

Peace Corps quote #2: "Wherever there's water its wet, and wherever its wet, there's poo somewhere"

I'm officially a hippie

Today was the last day of staging which is nice, long boring days filled with skits/role play, holding hands and sharing our feelings. (insert awwww here). I wore my dinosaur shirt today! It was a big hit especially at lunch when I tore up my food like a t-rex. Just kidding, but seriously I wanted to. Instead, I chewed it really hard. You know, just to show it who was boss. Haha! We're supposed to leave tomorrow at 630am for the clinic. Oh and for the record, we all had to take pregger tests since the yellow fever vaccine is a live vaccine. Nice huh! But tomorrow at this time I will be in-route to Senegal. After all of these people holding my hand I'm starting to really feel like a part of the group. Well, that and I really want to wash my hands.

The luggage is stressing me out. Apparently I'm much more of a city girl than I had realized. My roommate brought a backpack. But I feel a little better that one girl who I met brought like 100 things of lip gloss and hair product haha! I'm not quite that bad, but I did bring make up. She's really nice and is doing the same work that I will be doing, so I should get to know her a little better over the next few weeks. Agroforestry Extension Agents UNITE!!!!


Today, we had to get into groups and do something with our "talents" that portrayed our fears or hopes for service. Attempting to play guitar in front of 40 people was hilarious. At least there were more up there too though.

As for my hippiness, I've pretty much decided to go vegetarian unless it is absolutely necessary to eat meat out of respect for my "family." My chacos are awesome and I think everyone has a pair. The good thing is that it will keep these worm like things from laying eggs in my feet and making me have to pick them out when they hatch. Yum! Apparently though, the RPCV's said we'll get used to it and share war stories of the things we find on our bodies and what may or may not come out. No thanks! haha! Oh to be thrown in with a bunch of strangers and learn everything possible about their bodies. There are just some things about guys I don't want to know (and girls for that matter).

Overall, I'm excited, terrified, anxious, a little hungry, sad for leaving the people I care about the most and the list could go on and on. I can't wait for visitors! And I think I'll feel better about everything once we get in country and I can meet my house family. I am a little disappointed about one thing. We were told that there's a good chance our homestays at our site will only be for two months. Then, we'll get our own place. Which the privacy may be nice, but it would be so much more fun to live with all the kids and would assimilate us so much more than living alone. :( Oh well, I'll call tonight before bed. Love!

First night in Philly

So I arrived in Philadelphia this morning and was completely lost. My luggage is heavy, most people have less (crazy kids, everybody needs a dinosaur shirt!). The good thing is that everyone is around my age, which also tends to be the bad part since for some reason guys can tend to get possessive of girls before they even know your name. Some boy asked my about my Chris and made a bet about how long we'll stay together. Ever since the homeless man I don't really do facial hair. Frankly, I'm afraid facial hair automatically means homeless. So, Chris don't grow a gragg stash/ merkin on your face haha!

Other than him, everyone seems pretty nice. Terrified just like I am of course. But, I did realize one thing that I forgot: a baseball glove. Oh well, that can come whenever or I'll let you guys know if I need you to send one. I'm shaken after tonight. Stupid boys always get to me even when they should be focused on more important things in life. After all, isn't that what the peace corps stands for? I hate him already, I hope he ends up no where near me, knob.


As for my toe, it's a mutant. It is doing better, but wearing heals pushes any type of padding or bandage off of it so everyone can see the mutant tendancies. I'd fit right in at the walmart in Galveston Rachel!!!! Maybe I'll put up pics eventually, but i'm too grossed out right now.

Peace Corps Quote #1: "Oh don't worry, you'll get used to the parasites"

Love you guys, its time for bed but ill write as soon as possible!

And I'm almost ready

I'm leaving out of Philadelphia on Sept. 11 (what a date right?), but I'll be leaving the good ole' midwest on the 8th. And true to character, I couldn't start a new chapter of my life without doing something completely crazy to my hair right? Absolutely not, so I chopped it all off. Good bye mid-back length hair, Hello mid-neck length hair....holy crap what a change. Very cute though, despite the fact that I look like I'm 12. haha!

Before:






After:






























Its so cute!!! In that last picture I was covered in chocolate and ice cream (typical)--hey i have to enjoy it while I can!