Beach!

The beach was amazing. That's pretty much there is to it... but I'll give you a little more. We were given a weekend off... well and by weekend I mean Monday 5pm-Tuesday 5pm, but it's the first time we've had off since we got here August 12th. Before you think "but Katherine, you say you sit around your compound staring a dirt most of the day," remember that EVERYTHING is in French... and just generally work, even if it's not real work, it's hard. But back to the beach!

Along with another girl, I organized 50 trainees to take 2 Alham's (basically an emptied out large van that's been re-cramped with seats.. they each sit 30 and are no bigger than a mini-bus, if not smaller) and go to the beach for a day. We rented two houses and piled in for a relaxing 24 hours. Once we got to the beach town, we stopped at a boutique to fill up on drinks (let your imagination wander) as well as on things for dinner. Later that night along with a VERY HELPFUL group of other trainees, I made dinner (pasta and red sauce) for everyone.

The rest of the trip was full of swimming, walking, hanging out, and generally letting loose. There were times it was almost possible to forget I was in Africa and not on Spring Break... until I saw the bugs, swatted a mosquito, got hissed at, or had to use the bathroom.

I'll add more pictures soon (hopefully tomorrow afternoon) but I've linked to another friend's blog and she has some pictures.

Our counterparts start to arrive today which means I sleep in the village tonight, Thursday, and Friday, and driven to Thies each day for sessions with my counterpart and supervisor... I'm nervous to meet them because this could really determine a lot over the next two years (aka if I'm able to work with them or if they're just in the position for credit).

I'll try to blog at night and post them during the day if anything exciting is happening.

KO