It's Official!

Today I officially became a PCV for the second time! Something I never thought would happen after being medically separated with one year to go the first time around. The swearing in ceremony took place at PC Headquarters with the PC staff as witnesses. The top picture is me receiving official swearing in document from my Program manager for health, Gilbril. I wore my Friday outfit that I had made on my last visit and asked one of the women to help me tie my head scarf. She told me I looked like a Princess with a crown! I certainly felt dressed up! After the ceremony, I walked to the medical unit (to pick up my mefloquine) and was amazed by the number of compliments I received in just the couple blocks it took to get there. The Gambians really love seeing us make an effort to fit in, whether by dress or language. My final language and culture lesson was a trip to the Serrekunda market. This was to help me practice transportation, numbers, and market words. While I would normally draw attention for being a toubab (person of European desent or white person), today, it was for my Friday dress. The ladies all told me how beautiful I looked and how pretty my dress was, while the men called me beautiful African lady. By responding jerejef (thank you in wolof), that allowed them to open a conversation. How are you? What is your name? Where do you live? All of which I can answer in wolof! I have really enjoyed my language classes and again, something I never thought I would ever say...I wish I could go through the whole three months of PST so that I could become more fluent in wolof!


To the left is a picture of me with my county director, Leon.

As I was finished with my very short training and will be moving into a furnished house (thanks Hanna!), I asked PC if it would be possible to move to my house in Busumbala a day early. I am anxious to get settled and start teaching. I visited my house and site (Gambia College) yesterday. I met my host family, the local akalo (sp? village leader), and introduced myself to the local police. I definitely want to be on good terms with the police! And since they are right next to the Farato market, I can stop and chat with them on a regular basis when I shop for food. I also got my teaching schedule! I teach Writing Skills on Monday and Wednesday, Epidemiology on Tuesday and Thursday, and Risky Behaviors on Wednesday. The Gambia recently went from working a half-day on Friday to no work on Friday. It is a little uncertain how this will change the school schedules, but as of right now, UTG and Gambia College are extending the hours on the four days M-Th. But, they may end up having to start working on Saturdays. I don't think this will change my schedule since I am not scheduled to work on Friday, but I am a little sad since no one will get to see my Friday dress if I don't go to campus! Several people asked why I was dressed up and my response of, "It's Friday!" got delighted laughs. Most Gambians dress up on Friday since that is the day most people go to the larger mosques for afternoon prayers. When I said, "It's Friday" to one lady, she broke into song. I had not realized that Rebecca Black's viral youtube video had made it all the way to the Gambia, but that song is now stuck in my head...and I hope yours too. Misery loves company and if I have to hum that song, so do you!

Last night I reconnected with the family Ganzell for dinner at a restaurant on the beach. It was lovely to see them again and I look forward to seeing Lucy and Emad in the near future. It's amazing how relaxing it is to be near the ocean. Kicking off my sandels and walking in the surf is the perfect stress relief. It doesn't hurt that there is a great view..and I'm not talking about the ocean. Late afternoon/early evening is when all the young men descend onto the beach to exercise. And potentially attract the eye of a older, European woman. So while I won't be taking the bumpsters up on their offer of a 'local guide', I'll admit, it's fun to watch them do pushups on the beach!

Be ci kanam! (Till later!)