The Next Step

In just 10 days I will make my final move in country to a small village of 378 people called Thiewal Lao located in the south of Senegal near the regional capitol of Kolda. I will be living in the village chief's compound and am the first volunteer to live in the village... there's a first time for everything! We are incredibly fortunate to be in the south because the fruits and vegetables are everywhere, unlike in the north. Last week I actually ate four mangos and six cashew apples (PS - cashew apples are easily the coolest discovery I have made thus far in country) in one day right off the trees. Despite the obvious cause and effect concerns from such a sugar intake, it was easily one of the best days I have had and plan to replicate it as often as possible.
The adventure really starts when I am dropped off in my village to figure things out for myself. I feel great about the language skills I have, but am fully aware that I know absolutely nothing. And I don't think that my extensive vocabulary describing the furniture in my home is going to come in handy on a day-to-day basis, but I am learning much faster than I ever imagined possible... so here we go!