Back To Work

So Id been away from site for over a month and got back on Thursday night after three weeks of training and a week in Dakar for waist. I was sad to say goodbye to all the other volunteers, especially since I dont know the next time I will see some of them, and it very well may be at the end of our Peace Corps service, but also glad to get back to site where everybody knows my name. Literally. As I rode in my donkey cart back to my house, the children were running behind us yelling Aby Toubab!!! I just smiled and waved pretending I was in a parade. Whens the next time I will get to be in a parade, after all? Spent the weekend resting up and went to my first Catholic mass ever at the Keur Moussa monastery located 11 k from my house, which was really interesting. They dont use any organs, only drums and koras, traditional african instruments. The singing was beautiful and after service I bought some of the best grapefruit Ive ever had and some homemade goat cheese. The monks make so much money selling fruit and cheese that they dont need to take collection.

Monday morning I was up early and ready to work. A month of sitting around thinking up ideas and I was ready to be productive. Made a list of 13 things to do/people to see to look into doing some projects and went to my supervisors office 1st thing only to be told that he was headed to Touba for the Grand Magal de Touba 2008, which is a religious pilgrimage for the Mouride muslims, one of Senegals denominations or brotherhoods, and so were a lot of people. They get back Wednesday but will be tired, so its probably best if I wait until next week to get work done. So much for productivity. Argh. This is an excellent example of one of a Peace Corps Volunteers biggest challenges: Trying to do work in Senegal at an American pace. Things here go much more slowly and religious holidays (for both Christians and Muslims) are strictly observed. No questions asked. Im learning to slow myself down, but its frustrating as hell. Also, On the way home yesterday stopped by the market to pick up some food for dinner and they moved it. I leave Pout for one month and they move the whole freaking market on me. Finally found it, but still. Life is full of surprises these days.

Spent the rest of the day catching up on reading, which is apparantly what I will be doing all this week. Just finished Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and I would highly recommend it to all. Its a bit hoakily written, but such a good, uplifting story of excellent, sustainable development work. Check it out at www.threecupsoftea.com. Next book: King Leopolds Ghost about King Leopold IIs reign of terror in the Congo at the turn of the century. This ones going to be a bit depressing. Btw, if you know of any good books, send them to me. I read a lot and good books are always appreciated here in Peace Corps Senegal.