Sorry i've been MIA recently. It's been hectic but definitely very fun. Alll 61 of us swore in as volunteers on Oct. 15th at the Ambassador's Residence. The ride there was awesome. We took four huge Peace Corps buses from Thies to Dakar and to ensure we wouldn't get caught in the heavily ingested Dakar traffic we had police escorts. I mean afterall, this was government business! We drove on the opposite side of the road towards head on traffic. It was awesome. After we we're officially sworn in; I got interviwed by national Senegalese television and then ate delicious hors d'oeuvres and went swimming and hung out at the pool of the Atlantic Club. That night all the volunteers went partying and then we all dispersed into our regions.
I went down with my two of my fellow Kedougou volunteers in a sept place with all of our belongings. ubnluckily towards the end of our 12 hour journey, our car got an irreparable flat. Our driver was also very dehydrated. Some really goofy Australian miners saw us on the side of the road and tried to help but they spoke no local languages. They attempted to speak to our driver in english which didn't really help. Some of the other volunteers sent their sept place to come pick us up so we finally made it there in the ity of Kedougou. When I was shopping for the supplies of muy hut, it was crazy to have people recognize me and shout my name. The Bassari peope are very excited to have their first Bassari volunteer. Four volunteers and a Peace Corps employee installed me in Ethiolo. The road was very mountaainous and muddy. We we're forwarned that we wouldn't make it there by the villagers who came down to forwarn us of the road conditions. Our Peace Corps driver, Boubou, was determined to make it and w did. It took us one and a half hours to drive 9 km. But we made it and the villagers we're so excited. All the volunteers and myself received beautiful bead Bassari jewelry and we had a party. the party of course involved a ton of palm wine.
Ethiolo is wonderul. It's remote and serene and and peaceful. the people are lovely and some of them are goofy, actually VERY goofy. So, I fit right in :). The parties are happening right now vbecause it's harvesting season and they are some of the coolest event si Have seen. The young men and women dress up in colorful intricate Bassari beads and clothing and dance the night away. Some parties can last up to 36 hours! I've uploaded some pictures on facebook and will update them later here. Sorry, my computer time is very limited.
But, I'm getting used to village life with no electricity, running water, or cell phone service. It's very quanit. there will be more to come soon. Peace.