This is what it took to get here. After months of planning and preparation I have officially started my Peace Corps training here in Thiès Senegal. Alxamdulilah! My journey began last Sunday with a series of airline snafus; my first flight was cancelled, the next one delayed, and I ended up at two different airports before even leaving the bay area. After a layover in Dallas I finally made it to Washington D.C. late on Sunday night with sore arms and quite an appetite. Luckily, my roommate arrived just minutes behind me and the two of us were able to split a midnight pizza and start getting to know each other.
The next day was full of many more introductions as our class of 48 new health and environmental education volunteers (a huge number for a single training class) met for an orientation to the Peace Corps. We have people from every corner of the United States, ranging in age from 21 to 31 and it seems to be a really great group. Seeing all these young, enthusiastic and like-minded people definitely renews my faith in my generation and reminds me that while I might not agree with aspects of our government or foreign policy, Americans on an individual basis can be extremely generous, open, and compassionate.
Our orientation lasted most of the day and afterward we dispersed for dinner around Georgetown. It was fun to see a part of D.C. I hadn’t before and I ended up having a very nice Thai dinner and then a few birthday beers at a nearby tavern. The next day we got yellow fever shots and headed to the airport (not my favorite way to celebrate my birthday, but the tradeoff was a trip to Africa, so I’m not complaining). We arrived in Dakar very early on the 9th and immediately got on a bus to Thiès.
The training center is beautiful with lots of big trees and flowering vines. I’m in a room with 3 other girls and our accommodations are pretty comfortable, although its going to take a few days before I get used to taking cold showers again. The food is good, the weather is perfect and I am having so much fun already. Overall, I’m just so happy to be here at last!
I am so happy to hear that you are having a great time, and if the showers are what you have to worry about most, your set. It's nice to hear that so many young americans have volunteered their time and emotions to a great cause. Talk about selflessness. Awesome job on the blog. Yellow Fever shots, damn. Hope you get my letter soon.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a busy and fun time. We're happy you will be going south! Love, Mom and Dad
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