Whoa...

So, we flew into Banjul last week... we're staying at this little place run by a Catholic mission, with dorms and a cafeteria and a huge mango tree that everyone sits under to have "sessions".. There are 25 of us, 13 guys, 12 girls... all very very cool, like surprisingly cool. It's been good fun getting to know each other... there is Gambian whisky, cards, and Ipods with speakers involved.

We have 2 older volunteers here with us, Kelley and Kelley actually one boy one girl, their rad and very helpful answering all our questions. Our days go like this:

Wake up, breakfast at 8- that's corn flakes or outmeal with pineapple jelly and Nescafe.
Chill.
Language Session- my language is woolof. there are only four of us learning woolf, all the rest are mandinka or fula.
Tea break- spam or fish sandwiches, "digestive cookies" yum.
Chill.
Language session, or immunizations, or cultural sessions led by one of 8 of our rad Gambian teachers. they are so funny, beautiful and cool people.
Lunch- some meat, rice or coos, some veggies.
More sessions.
Dinner.
Hanging out with the crew.
Take a cold shower so that you sleep... not that there's hot water!


Yesterday we got to go to the beach, which was exactly like Atlantic coasts beaches except there were Gambians everywhere... "bumsters" are young Gambian men who run around excercising in front of you and offering to be your guide/ escort. We had Julbrew, the local beer, collected shells, played some ultimate frisbee.

Today we went to the market, which is HUGE, like a million times bigger than the Guatemalan market, approx. It was just the coolest experience, just craziness... I busted out my few Woolof phrases and bought some cola nuts, which are just these wierd things that are very important in the culture. Next week, I'll go with my other PCV's who are speaking Wolof out to a tiny training village called in the south, with our wollof techer, haddi sou. After a week there, we spend a week with the rest of the crew at ten da ba...

Anyway, I won't have much time on the internet for awhile, so sorry about the crap quality of this post, but i just wanted to give a little info to everyone.

It's really hot and humid, but there are beautiful tropical plants everywhere as a tradeoff. The culture here is so neat, crazily different. I will be writing and sending letters soon... I'm having a great time needless to say, I'm just thrilled and totally excited. I really miss everyone, esp. my sis, my mom, bro and my cat. I love eveyrone and will be in touch!!