Visitors from America, Thank Yous and Good Byes

Over the past week I met some people, said good bye to some people, and remembered a lot of people. Sort of a weak way to satrt the blog but it's true and the electricity could run out any moment so, I am just going to go with it.

I was asked and agreed to host some study abroad (CIEE-Council on International Education Exchange) students. I was worried when I heard my students were two girls. Not because they were girls but because we don't have enough house bikes and wuld be walking around my Community Rurale (its roughyl 5 km to the next village). I was pleasantly surprised when Sarah and Catie didn't complain, bicker, or tear up. Instead they just smiled and asked question as we trucked along in the 110 degree sun to or destinations. We saw waterfalls in Segou, visited the Dimboli Post de Sante and Bambaya Primary School, and went to the Lumo in Fongolimbi. The icing on the cake I think was our Lumo car (massive dump truck) ride down the mountain back to Kedougou. We had to get out once on our descent because the car was so full with people and mangoes. We eventually made it to Kedougou, barely as the gas ran out when we crossed the river. So, we called a cab and got a ride to the house just in time to eat the last sandwhiches in Kedougou for the night. Perfect really (atleast they said they had a good time). They left early this morning back to their home-stays in Dakar with a little different perscpective on Peace Corps and the Senegalese culture.
Speaking of people leaving Senegal. I also said goodbye to 3 PCVs who have completed their service and are on their way to bigger and better things. It truly is a weird things to say good bye to these people even though I haven't necessarily known them for that long.PC creates a special and strong bond between people that just doesn't seem to rub off. Maybe its the intestinal infections or the struggling with culture and language or maybe its just the amonut of free time one has to think about what he or she is doing. What ever it is it makes communicating, shooting the shit, dinner talk what ever you call it so easy here. Everyone has a story that leads to a story that leads to some laughter. Its strange to share those moments and then say good bye to that person with a simple hand shake and a few akward works before he rides off to the garage on a bike filled with luggage to find a car to take him to Dakar. Just like that your service with Peace Corps ends. It definitely ism't as glorious as it started. However, everything is alright whether you're just starting something or finishing it as long as there is someone/something you can go home to.
I was reminded of that today when I received some wonderful packages from wonderful people (my mother and Father and Kyle Kaveny. Thank you so much. It made my day and many others. Thank you.
I'm going to go know. Figure out what I am bringing back to village and relax maybe watch a movie if the electricity agrees. Either way I am in good company and will hit the road nice and early tomorrow before the sun gets to hot.

Finnee e jam. (wake up in Peace)