Graduation Day

Yesterday, I became an official Peace Corps volunteer!

The ceremony was held at the American Ambassador's residence,which comes equipped with a swimming pool, a cadilac, and enough space for over 100 people. Needless to say it is a nice place.

We were escorted from The training center in Thies by the Gendarmerie, and by "the Gendarmerie," I mean one dude in a uniform on a motor bike with a siren less potent than the one on my tricycle. Nonetheless, we arrived on time and had no trouble getting through traffic, which is perilous at best!

The ceremony started around 10:30 and we were presented to the Japanese and Korean Ambassadors to Senegal. Surprisingly, there is a Japanese Peace Corps, but we never cross paths and the only thing I know about them is that they have greater trouble pronouncing the languages. The highlight was the speaches given by the trainees in the local languages we are learning. There were many laughs, though I only understood the French, and Wolof speaches. I was at a loss with Mandinka and Pulaar. Finally, we took the Foreign Service Oath and became volunteers.

After the ceremony, we had a reception with tons of American food ranging from cheeseburgers to guacamole and I stuffed my face knowing I would have to face Ceebu Jeen (Fish & Rice)for a very long time.

Tomorrow I leave for the city of Kaolack, which is my regional capital. There, I will buy what I need to get set up in my residence. Pots, baskets, rugs, all these things. I feel bad for the drivers who have to take us.