Since there are no functioning postal services in The
Gambia, the delivery of letters and packages to the volunteers falls on Peace
Corps shoulders. The mail (packages, letters and other items) is delivered to
volunteers every two months during so called mail run.
Usually two selected
volunteers together with the driver do this trek. There are many volunteers and
only few spots available for the mail run so it is competitive and done by
drawing the names. If you are lucky – you go! Even though the trek is very
tiring everyone wants to do it – to spend a week traveling to all of
volunteers’ sites and see the country.
I got to go on it last October by a
chance – another volunteer gave up his spot. Valio! I traveled together with
Jen, a fellow volunteer, and John, the driver, who kept himself awake by
constantly chewing cola nuts. The five-day mail run trek started somewhat
roughly but things got better as week progressed. We traveled right after the
rainy season so got a chance to admire the beautiful green Gambia. Some
pictures from the trek are here:
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