Getting my groove:)

Henna art its so fun and lasts about 2 weeks.

Hello to you from The Gambia:) It is March and in 8 days my three month challenge will be over and I will be a seasoned volunteer. It's really crazy getting dropped off in the middle of a country and the place/village that is to become you new home without being a little freaked out. Especially since you don't know a soul, don't speak the language and you are the only "toubab" (white person) for kilometers around.
Note: Being a toubab in The Gambia immediately makes you into a celebrity, everyone knows your name, wants to be around you and talk to you so you are NEVER alone and always noticed where ever you go.
There was a big bush fire right outside my village. Everyone had to run out and beat/back burn so it didn't reach the village.
Bush fires are common in the dry season and can be dangerous. This one burned all day and throughout the night and covered hundreds of km. However they are not as devastating as the ones back home because they are never managed, they are left to burn and so its apart of the bushes ecology. Almost all fires are started by careless people.
My mom sporting my sun hat, Yaya my bro, Howa (spozen) and her boy Mahamabo.

I've realized that 3 months is my (or maybe most peoples) perfect time for me the find my groove. My language (Mandinka) is more fluent, I've made friends and acquaintances, I’ve gotten to know my family better (they still kick ass), explored the wuloo (the bush) around my village and within biking distances and had a few adventures.

My work is coming along slowly but surely. PC tells us that our busiest time will be during our 2nd year because your relations are stronger, language is functional and you have a better idea of what projects will be successful. I've started working but nothing major with the park because that seems like a very sensitive job and I want to feel it out a little more. There is a very fine balance between success and "failure" here.

My lunch, rice and fish. Its really really good. Howa is my cook and she always makes delicious food for me. It just that there is ALWAYS rice.

I've started an Environmental Club and the grade school in Dumbuto. It has 35 members in grades 5th and 6th. One day a week I teach a class in environmental science then we go out for an afternoon for a few hours and apply the lesson concepts. It’s a blast and the kids really love it.

I've also joined the kafoo or women's group in the village. They are the wives, mothers, gardeners, rice farmers, caregivers and overall glue of the family. All the women are strong, fiery and amazing to be around. We all meet once a week under the big Silk Cottonwood tree and discuss issues in the village like gardening, market, marriage ceremonies and naming ceremonies.

Kafoo meeting.
As for the park some things are getting done. Repairs and rebuilds are in process and I'm mainly trying to learn how the park is REALLY run, getting to know the rangers and working on small projects like painting park signs, organizing and cleaning the library and "research office", and other small but needed tasks.

Weekly Luumo
I go very week to buy my weeks worth of fruit, veggies and peanuts
Sometimes I get fabric and get cloths made
I still spend most of my time hanging with my family, visiting other compounds and exploring the area. I get together with my site mates a few times every month and we go to the luumo (weekly market 7 km away), go on a hike or just visit. I'm very lucky because I have 4 awesome site mates and I love them. Note: a site mate is another PCV that live close to you. Some PCVs only have one. So I’m never lonely.
My site mate and good friend Kat (with her cat).

Yeah some of the things I've had to deal with lately is the 110-125 day temps and scorpions in my house. They tell me that the sting of a scorpion will make the toughest man cry all night. I hope I don't get stung.

OK signing off for now. Know that I am happy and still healthy and doing very well:)

OXOX