Thursday, November 13, 2008

11/13/08

OhMyGosh!
Tomorrow we go early to the training villages. I'm going to Bombako with 4 others. We should get there in the mid afternoon.
Today after training got out we went to the beach! So much fun! Are you kidding me? I'm at the beach in Africa!

But- after tonight we'll be up country so no e-mail for about 2 months... aka- no blogging (i'm so good at this...) But still e-mail me and write me! and Facebook!

Gambia is fun- I'm learning Mandinka, which abou 40% of the country speaks (the majority).
There are HUGE spiders with fangs here. seriously big. and we went to market on Tuesday! some guy tried to sell me ugly belts, and we were called toubab (foreigner) soo much! but i bought amazing beautiful fabric! so exciting!
also: we went to a snake farm and i had a boa constrictor around my shoulders- it was like a 10ft snake!

We're in language class everyday and our teachers are amazing and hilarous. One of them (Babukarr) looks like mini Dave Chapelle. He is awesome.
so yeah.
Fo sama! (Till Later!)
ashley

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

11/12/08

Get Excited! I’ve been gone only a week and I can’t believe all the incredible things that have happened to me in just seven days!

I flew by myself to Philadelphia and waved a sad good-bye to the Rocky Mountains! I won’t be seeing them for a while! When I picked up my luggage in Philly on of my suitcase wheels was missing. So it’s been pretty fun lugging 50 lbs around by a not-substantial handle.
In Philly I had a cheesesteak (who knew they are actually kind of gross and made with CHEEZE-WHIZ!!!! are you kidding me! you can sell Cheeze-Whiz in a restaurant for $8!!!!) And I also met the 24 other amazing volunteers who come from all over the country, from many backgrounds and ages and ready for the next adventure!
We left the City of Brotherly Love after getting shot! (By needles, in the arm, Hooray vaccinations!) and bussed to New Jersey. It’s a nice place. Then I boarded the plane for my first International Flight! (BTW- I was the only one who hadn’t been outside the US!) As it turns out, international flying is just like regular flying, only longer, and with more food.
In Brussels we got our Visas stamped and checked in for our flight to Gambia. Unfortunately, due to time constraints and shenanigans I didn’t get a Belgian Beer OR a Belgian Waffel! Lame Sauce.
I'll post pics as soon as i get time! and i love you all. and i have better stories coming!

So. that’s all for now because other trainees need the computer.

And here’s my address:

Ashley Garrison, PCV
C/O Peace Corps
Po Box 582
78 Kairaba Ave
Banjul, The Gambia, West Africa