The New Volunteers of America

Well, my class and I (minus one Early Termination—they expected more, but we are super hard-core!) have now finished Stage and are now full Volunteers, with all the capitalizations that entails.  I'm in Kaedi again, trying to rest up in the one night I'll be spending here.  For some reason my feet and ankles have been chewed to pieces by the local wildlife.  I counted 30 bites on one side of one foot before counting them became too itchifying.  Blame that on the rainy season—plenty of standing water!  At least I have my malaria pills!

Tomorrow I have protocol, which is what we call our greeting of the local officials.  I'll meet the Wali, the Hakem, the Mayor, and various others.  I'm not sure what the equivalent in America would be (except for the mayor, of course!) but feel free to look that up.  And then I have to run around like a chicken sans head in the market trying to snatch up a leeso or three (floor mat for sitting on/"carpeting" for my room), a makaresh of my very own (or butt pot, as we call them), some cups, a tea service, a matlah (a sleeping/lounging mat), a mirror if I can find one (who knows what I look like anymore?!), food, and various other necessities.

When I get to my site I'll probably spend most of the day receiving visitors/visiting.  Hopefully I'll have the chance to at least set up my mosquito net!  I've got to run (sorry this is short!), but rest assured I miss you all so very much!  And expect some letters in the next month, because it's Ramadan and I'll finally have time to write them!