Happy TAMBAween! #Sweet2Senegal

Quote of the Day

The Tambacounda Region

“When in doubt pedal it out”

THE STORY

I saw a real live, out of a cage, meter long African Python.

HOW ARE YOU ALIVE?!

I pedaled it out…

NO BUT REALLY….

Okay so here is the thing… I got my NEW SITE. For the next two years I will be living in the far away eastern region of Tambacounda! It is the hottest region with lots of wild animals, has largest regional house, and of course in my biased opinion, the best village in all of Senegal.

I will be living in the medium size town of Botou with over 1,000 villagers that live 10K outside of the city of Tambacounda. There is a primary school with a newly built garden, a health post that wants to work on building a new garden, running water, a couple of tailors, and a water tower that I have full access to climb as much as I want! Of course in this village is my small hut that has a queen size bed, a small table, and a nice backyard with a brand new toilet that I can call my own!

After getting my amazing site! 

And are you ready for this? I got a new name! Drum roll please….

Tiguida Fofana.

It is one heck of a name that sounds like Tachito's, so I am quite happy with it!

My host family is also a group of wonderful people that made sure during my visit there to check the site out that I was comfortable and ate as much as I could while I was there. They even harvested a chicken for my visit!

Anyhoo, back to the snake.

I have an amazing site partner that I have been friends with since we both arrived in Senegal. The only catch is that to visit each other there is a bush path that cuts through fields to get to the towns. As we were pedaling along, we decided to take a break and eat some breakfast before reaching the next town. As I was enjoying a nice chocolate spread on my baguette, we all turn to see this meter long snake come out of the bush and slither past us. 

Breakfast was over.

SO WHAT IS TAMBAWEEN?

In every region that Peace Corps Volunteers are serving there is a regional house that has wifi, western toilets, electricity, and a place where volunteers can come and just relax. Since it was the first time visiting, the volunteers threw us a Halloween party so that our first holiday away from home was not that daunting. My friends, I ate all the Macaroni and Cheese that was served in front of me! 

The Tambacounda region also is a transit house for other regions that are farther away as they try to make their way back to Thies they can relax and take a break at our house. On the roof of the house holds about 15 outside beds that we can call use to sleep under the stars! 

Let me just say, I love this house, I love my hut, and I love my new name.

SO WHATS NEXT?

Since I am finally caught up with my blogs, we are now getting ready to go to our final CBT homestay to prepare for our install. I will be preparing to do a presentation in Bambara to the Peace Corps staff about why I am ready to serve as a volunteer and taking my final for my Agriculture Technical skills.

Send good vibes this girls way!

In conclusion,

 Foo nefe and Heera Doron.