Lessons from Week 1

I survived my first week in the village and am in Kolda for the day to resupply (i.e. go to the bank) before heading back out. We’re supposed to try to stay in village (either ours or visiting other volunteers) every night for the first 5 weeks. Luckily for me, I can pop into the city to shop, relax and check email while still making it home for dinner.

Here’s what I learned this week:

1. When the man at the hardware store tells you to dilute your chalk paint, he is wrong

2. Always bring your own flashlight to dinner

3. Sleeping outside without a mosquito net is a bad idea

3b. Sleeping outside with a poorly hung mosquito net is no better

4. Napping under the mango tree for 4 hours each afternoon is both acceptable and expected

5. Do not watch a TV show about a serial killer before going to bed in the village

5b. Those footsteps are most likely a goat, not the aforementioned serial killer…and sleeping with your back door closed will only bake you alive – not keep you alive

6. All white people look the same to Senegalese children. 6’2”ft white guy = 5’5” white girl.

7. Decorating your hut will make you feel both happy and sad. It will also cause your family to wonder who that girl is who sort of looks like you but is clean. They will also wonder who the Asian girl is.

8. Leaving your poo kettle in the sun is a bad idea.

8b. Leaving your shower water in the sun is an ok idea…but can result in an uncomfortably hot bucket bath.

9. You will always feel the dirtiest

10. Children and dogs both take 2 days to overcome their fear of white girls

11. Repeating the same phrase faster and louder will not make its meaning any clearer

12. Puppies are everywhere

13. Calling and texting fellow volunteers is key to maintaining mental health

14. It’s ok to cry

15. New straw roofs will shed for an undetermined period of time, leaving all your possessions with a fresh coat of dust and debris.

16. There is no limit to the number of mangos you can consume in one day

17. Dried fish does not enhance the taste of food, but will raise your blood pressure

18. The hot season is aptly named

19. It is flattering to be told you can speak Pulaar…and discouraging to then not understand the rest of the conversation

20. PCV life is pretty nice so far