We've arrived at the training center! After a short delay at Dullas and an 8 hour flight (I was able to sleep most of the way), we landed in Dakar just as the sun rose. After nervously going through customs (no reason to be nervous just the whole adventure of it all) we collected our bags. My first bag (the bigger one) came right away... after a while of waiting and starting to think that it wasn't going to come... my 2nd bag came and I was able to leave the airport. As the parade of people with luggage carts started leaving, people kept coming up to us and trying to take our luggage carts in exchange for money. Once we all got settled on the bus we started the trek through Dakar (and lots of rush hour traffic) to Thies. In Thies we were introduced to the training staff and shown our rooms (4 beds in each room, girls in one long set of rooms, guys in another across the way).
If you've ever romanticized about sleeping under a mosquito net, then this is the pace for you. I'm currently sitting on my bed under my net with beautiful printed sheets on the bed. Breakfast was a piece of bread and some instant coffee. We were given a nap time (right now) and later are meeting for lunch and, I'm guessing, the start of training.
I'm really excited about everything going on, all of the volunteers who met us seem to really love being here. So far I've heard that basil is a really good thing to grow because it grows well and adds flavor. There are 2 kids in my group that are looking to get goats (they're both SED- pronounced “said”- so we'll see how well that goes). I saw a few stray dogs in Dakar... who knows... maybe I'll come home with a new friend for Nikki and Sacchi!!
Best!
We've arrived at the training center! After a short delay at Dullas and an 8 hour flight (I was able to sleep most of the way), we landed in Dakar just as the sun rose. After nervously going through customs (no reason to be nervous just the whole adventure of it all) we collected our bags. My first bag (the bigger one) came right away... after a while of waiting and starting to think that it wasn't going to come... my 2nd bag came and I was able to leave the airport. As the parade of people with luggage carts started leaving, people kept coming up to us and trying to take our luggage carts in exchange for money. Once we all got settled on the bus we started the trek through Dakar (and lots of rush hour traffic) to Thies. In Thies we were introduced to the training staff and shown our rooms (4 beds in each room, girls in one long set of rooms, guys in another across the way).
If you've ever romanticized about sleeping under a mosquito net, then this is the pace for you. I'm currently sitting on my bed under my net with beautiful printed sheets on the bed. Breakfast was a piece of bread and some instant coffee. We were given a nap time (right now) and later are meeting for lunch and, I'm guessing, the start of training.
I'm really excited about everything going on, all of the volunteers who met us seem to really love being here. So far I've heard that basil is a really good thing to grow because it grows well and adds flavor. There are 2 kids in my group that are looking to get goats (they're both SED- pronounced “said”- so we'll see how well that goes). I saw a few stray dogs in Dakar... who knows... maybe I'll come home with a new friend for Nikki and Sacchi!!
Best!
KO
No comments:
Post a Comment