First Days

The trip started with adventures... The flight from Brussels was suspended because of orders from Senegal. We spend 9 hours in the airport instead of three, but then were placed on direct flight to Banjul instead of going through Dakar. We landed at Banjul after the midnight and we were greeted by the warm Gambian weather, chaos in tiny airport and Peace Corps staff. Pizza and cold water was our first meal here, which  was followed by the night dinner at the lodge we are staying. The intensive schedule started early next morning after the hearty breakfast. Cold shower in the morning was not what I was looking for but slowly getting used to it. The lodge is nice but simple. We have electricity only after dark, but there is no much need for it during the day. Our group consists of 30 health and environmental volunteers. We are learning about The Gambia, its culture and society, projects, language, survival skills. We also got a workshop on gardening and looking forward to have my own garden with vegetables. I am amazed with  Peace Corps staff here in The Gambia. They give us with tons of information, are very helpful and friendy.

I still do not know what language I will be learning and what part of the country I will be staged but the experience so far has been beyond the expectations. I have been enjoying every minute of stay here, however, I know that many challenges are waiting ahead.

Yesterday we visited the reptile zoo and learned about the snakes in the country. Well, I do not have a desire to see them again in captivity or wild.