First off, some things that I dislike:
- Donkeys – The squealing sound that they make is very annoying and they do it at all hours of the day.
- Limited Communication – Sometimes staying in touch with people back home is difficult. Internet access is scarce and no one back home can call my cell phone. For me to call people back home it costs about 50 cents a minute.
- Bony Fish – The fish that is eaten here is very bony. Whenever I take a bite I have to pluck a few bones first. One time at school, a bone got caught in between my teeth and I had no floss.
- Toubob – The people here call foreigners “Toubob”. It is not meant to be derogatory, but I still find it annoying. To me it is like nails on a chalkboard.
- 20 Questions – Often times I am approached by people wondering who I am, and they ask me questions. Which I know I stand out as a foreigner and they are curious to know where I am from. But information such as where I live in The Gambia, where I am currently going, and ways to contact me is given on a need-to-know basis.
Next, some things that I like:
- Domoda – A dish made up of white rice and peanut sauce that I find really tasty. Just keep the bony fish out of it.
- The Beach – I love swimming in the ocean. Also watching beach sunsets makes for a great way to unwind and get rid of all my troubles.
- My Host Family – My host father is awesome. He always has my interests at heart. My host mothers are two caring and hardworking women who make sure I never go hungry. And the kids are cool, fun, and respectful.
- Biking – I like traveling by bicycle. I get to where I need to go while getting exercise and I do not have to worry about gas prices.
- Time on my Hands – Sometimes this can cause my mind to wander and lead to negative thoughts. However, I keep myself busy with productive activities like reading and exercising. I like that I am able to read here. So far I have read over 30 books, which I never had time for back home.
Moving on to some of my worst moments:
- Spinning Out of Control – Recently I suffered a massive headache and it felt like the room was spinning. It felt like I was placed on a carousel, spun around at 1,000 RPM for five minutes, and then had to sprint 100 yards. Once I got it to stop I could not move. If I moved my head even a little, it would start back up again. It got so bad that I threw up from it.
- Losing my Grandfather – Losing a family member is difficult as it is. But losing a family member while you are halfway around the world makes it all the more difficult.
- Seeing Friends Go – An experience like this can create strong bonds. I have become good friends with some of the other volunteers, and recently some of them have returned home. And it will not be too long until more of them go home as well. It is hard seeing them go, but it is all part of the Peace Corps experience.
Now some of my best moments:
- Marathon March – This event took place during my training. My group and I went on a day hike through some of The Gambia’s rice fields, forests, and mangrove swamps. Hiking is one of my favorite recreational activities. So I loved being able to go out and explore some of the Gambian wilderness. I have done Marathon March twice now, and I get to do it again next month!
- Talking to Loved Ones Back Home – It does not matter if it is through the internet or on the phone. Any chance to talk with a loved one back home is a Godsend.
- My Birthday – My birthday was back in December, and two of my friends came to my village to celebrate with me. Also some of the volunteers put together a little event for me one time when we were all at our transit house in Basse.
Lastly, things I am looking forward to when I return home:
- Various Food Items – Sushi, Jimmy John’s, and slurpees, just to name a few.
- Weddings – Some of the best people in my life will be getting married shortly after I return home!
- Catching Up With Family and Friends – That goes without saying.
- The Next Step – For the moment I am not sure what I will be doing after Peace Corps, but as far as I am concerned the sky is the limit.
- A Good Night’s Sleep – My mattress will be comfortable, I will not be sweating like crazy, donkeys will not be waking me up, and I will not feel smothered by my mosquito net.
