So this will be my first blog post since I touched down in Dakar just over two months ago. The time has flown and all in all I think I have grown to a level of competency worthy of Peace Corps volunteer. This journey has not been easy and there were times that I questioned my reasons for being here but as of today I am confident I can work here and be successful. Along the way I have met a spectrum of interesting people and have had experiences in a litany of departments including food, culture, religion and gender roles unique to West Africa. The following posts will hopefully be an informative introduction to the daily life of Peace Corps trainee and the trial and tribulation one goes through to officially be called a Volunteer. I have chosen to fragment my first two months in Senegal into individual post devoted to a particular aspect of my daily life. To many things have happened for me to coherently write a chronological account of my time as a trainee. I think it is appropriate to start with my first impression of Senegal. This wasn't the food or the transportation or the toilets or even the garbage that I walk over (and contribute to ) every where I go. No, my first impression of Senegal was the weather.
WEATHER- "My face is on fire"
-Andrew Pochedly
As I walked off the plane onto the tarmac of Leopold Sedar Sengor International Airport, the first comparison of Senegal I could create was to a wet sauna. This sauna however had no door and could not be escaped. I wanted to run back into the plane but I thought better of it and continued across the hot pavement and into the airport. The rest of my day was spent sweating and contemplating my decision to come to West Africa. It was comforting however, to find solidarity with other trainees how shared in the my muggy misery. Fortunately we landed on the Muslim holiday,Korite, which celebrates the end of Ramadan meaning that our Senegalese staff was unavailable and we would have the first day to relax after our long flight. Day turned into night and it was finally time to put this day to rest and recharge our bodies for the first official day of training. Sleep, however, did not come easy. Even though my eight person room was equipped with a wonderful fan, once our mosquito nets came down the wafting of fresh air turned to a whisper turning my bed into a coffin. I was however able to peacefully drift off to sleep, but as you learn in Africa and as I learned that night pleasant moments, while common, are often fleeting.
If you have ever chopped hot pepper and accidently rubbed you're face you know what I experienced at 2 a.m. my first night in Senegal. At first I thought my face was on fire, but having surveyed the room carefully I concluded that fire couldn't possibly the reason for this burning sensation. Fumbling around this foreign compound that I had not adequately explored in my first day eventually brought me to a bathroom where I could wash my face and hopefully bring my skin temperature back to a more comfortable temperature. The water, unfortunately, failed to quench my thirst for a more tolerable level of facial discomfort so I desperately searched for water coolers located strategically, or not, around the Peace Corps compound with water that could somehow end this annoying rash. My hunt concluded at the dining hall and with me helplessly pouring cups of lukewarm water on my face desperately telling myself I was better. Three cups of water and a soaked shirt later, I sulked back to my room defeated and confused. I wasn't sure if this was normal, or if I had a legitimate ailment, but ultimately it didn't mater. My face was on fire, I couldn't help myself and I was a million miles from home.
Looking back I realize now that my face was not on fire and I was experiencing a similar discomfort to many other trainees. The weather here is extreme and quite foreign to that of home but it is no reason to give up. When I arrived in September, the wet/hot season was in full force and according to some this was the most miserable time of year. Right now Senegal is entering the cold/dry season which is followed by the hot/dry season which usually begins in March. Hot/dry is followed by by the hot/wet season also known as the growing season. My work along with my comfort will change with the seasons. Heat rash is apart of life and swapping stories of sweat box bed rooms has become enjoyable comic relief. The shock has worn off and I am conquering the extreme heat one patch of shade after another. The climate of Senegal is an important variable in my life; much of my work over the next two years will be at the whim of the weather. Daily weather conditions, along with cultural factors will dictate the amount of work I can accomplish. I look forward to these challenges and will always remember the night I thought my face was on fire.
No comments:
Post a Comment