And it comes down to four more days until swearing in.
Oh, and a little language test on Wednesday.
But we're not worried about that, are we?
Nervous. As. Hell.
The required level to move into our permanent site is Intermediate Mid. From what I can understand - as they really don't explain it to us that well - that level indicates that you can carry on a basic conversation, ask some basic questions, don't need to ask people to repeat what they say and explain why you are in Senegal, what the Peace Corps is and what you are going to do in the country. Perhaps it doesn't seem like a lot. Or maybe it does. All I know is that from the point of view of my host family in Mbour, I speak the worst Pulaar out of the three of us in my language group.
I tend to agree with them.
But I suppose I'll find out just how bad I am tomorrow afternoon when they tell us our results. My test is at 9:40 am. I probably won't sleep much tonight either.
I suppose I need to tell myself now - and continue to tell myself afterwards - that what I know already is an accomplishment and I should not compare myself to all the other trainees who are learning their respective languages as well. Way easier said than done, but hey, I'll give it a shot anyway. Peace Corps is supposed to be famous for those personality/life altering things. Maybe I'll be turned into an optimistic while I'm here.
Doubtful, but considering two months ago I got embarrassed when a woman was breastfeeding while sitting next to me and now it's just normal and I don't even seem to notice, I think anything is possible in the next two years.
Speaking of the next two years...
My install day is May 15th (as long as I pass the language test and don't have to spend an extra week at in Thies doing intensive language study in order to get up to the right level). So we swear in on the 11th. Drive to Kolda on the 13th, have ONE day to buy everything I need (the 14th) and then move in the next day. A note on the buying what I need - and this is a rant: the Peace Corps differentiates between new site volunteers and replacement volunteers by adding 20 thousand CFA to our move-in allotment. That is about 40 dollars. 40 bucks. Even in this country, 40 dollars doesn't go far to set up a house you'll live in for 2 years. So, for those of us who need everything from a bed frame, to cooking supplies, sheets, buckets for water storage, cups, a rug for our floor and a mattress, etc, the amount of money they give us is not enough. But for those who get to inherit the bed, buckets, chairs, tables, etc..they have an inordinate amount of cash to spend on the luxuries we - as brand new volunteers in a brand new site without even the basic tools - may never get to have because the Peace Corps also pays us all nearly the same per month, with only few differences between those in super rural areas who will have to travel a lot to get places we are required to go and those who live very close to cities/resources.
It is bull shit - in my very small opinion - and it is completely and totally unfair to those volunteers who have to try and find the very basic necessities to be able to sleep and bathe everyday from day one. Especially when a lot of us who are in new sites are extremely remote and do not have access to the larger towns in order to feasibly purchase and transport those needed items later on in our service if we can afford them.
Okay, I'll end the rant here.
Swearing in is televised here in Senegal and one person from each language group speaks in front of all the assembled important people to say a little in the local language about the training and such. Julia Bowers is speaking for the Pulaars. She is amazing at the language and will totally rock the speech. Look for the video to be posted on Youtube. I'll try to post the link on my facebook page if I get the chance.
My counterparts both told me before they left Thies to study hard and get intermediate mid so I can install on time. I told them 'inchalla' -which means 'God willing'.
We went to Dakar for a quick tour of the Peace Corps office and got the most amazing ice cream ever at this place called N'Ice Cream. They even had an Obama flavored ice cream. They love Obama here. They've got Obama underwear, Obama mattresses, t-shirts and baseball hats. It's hilarious.
We also went to a very popular tourist beach called Popenguine. It was gorgeous, glorious, and all things wonderful. Really didn't want to leave. It was so great to go swimming, wear my swimsuit and work on getting some sun to those parts of my arms and legs that are always covered.
We also made some pretty darn good spaghetti and I snacked on some candy I have fallen in love with here. It was a nice break to have before returning to CBT and then back here to Thies for the last stressful stint to swearing in. My last stay in Mbour was a bit weird and the goodbye was a little hard only because I will miss some of the members of my new little family - though I happily said 'good riddance' to that damn city. We exchanged phone numbers before I left so I hope when they do call me I'll be able to understand them.
Hardest thing was knowing that I won't be there to see the twins, Abby and Hamed, grow up a bit more. I would have loved for them to be an age where they could remember living with a white person and perhaps have them not call other white people 'Toubabs', but that is probably asking too much. They are also really close to being able to crawl. Their eyes would rove the compound, seeing all these places they want to explore and being soooo close to being able to go there. Abby is going to be hard to keep an eye on for sure and I don't even want to think of the things she'll get into once she starts walking.
Perhaps I'll be able to visit further down the line in my service, but neither of them will remember me. That will be hard.
We went to Dakar for a quick tour of the Peace Corps office and got the most amazing ice cream ever at this place called N'Ice Cream. They even had an Obama flavored ice cream. They love Obama here. They've got Obama underwear, Obama mattresses, t-shirts and baseball hats. It's hilarious.
We also went to a very popular tourist beach called Popenguine. It was gorgeous, glorious, and all things wonderful. Really didn't want to leave. It was so great to go swimming, wear my swimsuit and work on getting some sun to those parts of my arms and legs that are always covered.
We also made some pretty darn good spaghetti and I snacked on some candy I have fallen in love with here. It was a nice break to have before returning to CBT and then back here to Thies for the last stressful stint to swearing in. My last stay in Mbour was a bit weird and the goodbye was a little hard only because I will miss some of the members of my new little family - though I happily said 'good riddance' to that damn city. We exchanged phone numbers before I left so I hope when they do call me I'll be able to understand them.
Hardest thing was knowing that I won't be there to see the twins, Abby and Hamed, grow up a bit more. I would have loved for them to be an age where they could remember living with a white person and perhaps have them not call other white people 'Toubabs', but that is probably asking too much. They are also really close to being able to crawl. Their eyes would rove the compound, seeing all these places they want to explore and being soooo close to being able to go there. Abby is going to be hard to keep an eye on for sure and I don't even want to think of the things she'll get into once she starts walking.
Perhaps I'll be able to visit further down the line in my service, but neither of them will remember me. That will be hard.
I'll try to post either after my language test or before I move to the land of no internet to give a last update before 'going dark' for who knows how long.
Cheers!
Christine
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