Home-sweet-home

I'm in Mboro, installed with my new family and a whole new setup. I've got a lot to do and not too much time to do it. PST2 (Pre-Service Training 2) is only a few weeks away and I have a large report to write by then.  But actually the past two weeks were very exciting so I will recap and take a step away from that. 

I think the last time I wrote here we were leaving our CBT families. The next day we had our Wolof exams. Luckily I passed. The day after that we had a little field trip to Popenguine for Thanksgiving. To say it was gorgeous would be an understatement.  So if you really want to know, come visit and you can buy me dinner at a nice French restaurant on the beach there. We cooked our own meals which was beautifully hectic. We had a very American spread with stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy, chicken (turkey is extremely expensive here), and even chocolate/pumpkin/apple pies. Altogether the two day stay made for the most memorable (and warm) Thanksgiving I've ever had. 

After that we had our swearing-in ceremony in Dakar. We were all dressed very well in local attire. It was an extravagant ceremony with many in attendance. Coincidently this year is also the 50th anniversary of Peace Corps Senegal.  This made it a huge party with three artists performing including Baba Mall, one of the biggest in Senegal. Throughout the whole party the Wolof words "Lu Yagg, Degg La" were repeated. It's a Wolof proverb used as the motto of the 50th anniversary. It means "If something lasts long, it is true."  And I can tell this has been true for PC Senegal. Of course our goal is to eventually leave this country, but right now i can see how this hard working staff has created a respected organization in Senegal. Upholding that reputation and working hard with Senegalese citizens is a hope of mine now that I am in my site. Now starts my two years of service!