What to do with all your extra money!

I know you have lots of extra money just waiting to be spent. Here's how you can spend some of it- like $5. (or $100...) PC/TG is working with Against Malaria to raise money for treated bednets, and more importantly, develop and implement an education and awareness campaign to see that the nets are properly distributed and USED! (Crazy, I know) PC/TG has a goal of $40,000, all of which will go to purchase treated nets! (That's about 10,000 nets!)
So click on the link, give some money, and make sure you click the RED Sponsor Now! buttton, instead of the 'Donate' button!
Ashley vs. Malaria

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I LOVE AMERICA!!!!

Flying into America was amazing. Flying into JFK you cross over neighborhoods with swimming pools, roads and parks! I couldn’t believe I was finally home! It always seemed like July was so far away, and now, here it is! The airport was a marvel! I was feeling reverse culture shock. Everything was so bright and shiny and clean! There were so many white people, and people of other colors! People were speaking English! And I understood it!
Atlanta was the same way.
Finally, the Rocky Mountains came into sight! Colorado! How I missed you! Beautiful mountains! Home of my soul! Hooray, I’m finally home home!
My fabulous loving awesome great family met me at the top of the escalator with a huge sign ‘Ashley From Africa!’ and hugs and tears.
Here’s what else happened in America, otherwise known as my Africa Bucket List:
Texas Roadhouse with Amy, Alison, Christina and Elena (Steak and Beer!!!!), Sweatpants, reading on the deck with iced tea, grandparents, aunts and uncles, Girl Scout party, Church presentation, church, no cavities at the dentist!, new contacts, nachos with Shivaun and Karl, haircut with beer on tap and facebook by Travis, Oreo Thursday with BCSO Fire Crew, Riding with Christina (2x!), Bars with Tyler, Brent, Alison, Christina, Shivaun and Karl, Wii and ice cream with Amy, pesto, glory burgers, giant chocolate chip cookies, rhubarb bread, banana bread, home time w/ family, Harry Potter in the theatre with Heather, house hunting and lover time with Heather, Rockies Game (Rox won!), bachelorette party in Denver, beer w/ Brady, wedding prep, hike w/ Alison, toast w/ jam, scones, cinnamon rolls, omelets, breakfast burrito, breakfast with Cowboy (and a marriage of convenience), the main event: Amy and Jeremy’s wedding, Ft. Collins w/ Lisa, Sushi, CB & Potts Bingo nights and Road 34, Millsite with Pam and Margie, climb Mt. Audubon (13er!) with mom, lunch w/ Kailen, Whistler’s Café w/ Mallorie and Christina, shopping w/ Mom, packing, internetting, chilling, eating, drinking beer,
…and a whole lotta loving from all my friends and family!

The only white person on the bus...

I caught the first ferry out of Banjul, at 7am, with my giant blue suitcase and my green bag. On the ferry I was save from having my cell phone stolen by a nice women who spotted the would-be thief and alerted me to his intentions!
Firmly in possession of my, er, possessions, I exited the ferry and made my way toward the bus to Senegal and Dakar. As I walked up it was clear to me that there was no way I would get on. It was over full and people were yelling and pushing to get on. But, a young man approached me and asked if I wanted to take the bus. ‘Sure’ and then I was being shoved on the bus with my giant suitcase. People yelled and the boy was getting angry at people. I was plunked in a seat and told to stay there, no matter what. So I did. The bus eventually started for the border.
At the border I was cleared by immigration (shockingly, I was the only white person on the bus!). Then 50 ft later I was cleared by Senegal immigration.
As we neared Dakar my seatmate asked where I was going in Dakar. This was an interesting exchange, since she didn’t speak any of the languages I speak. With the help of some other passengers they figured out where I was going. Another kind woman took me under her wing and rode in the taxi with me to the Peace Corps Transit house.
Although the experience was hectic and a little scary, kind and gracious people helped me all along the way! Both Gambians and Senegalese were great! Thank you to everyone who got me where I was supposed to go!

Up and down the country in 4 days...

After All Vol and a BBQ at Rodney’s house I raced back to Hella Kunda (an all day trip) and adventured through the bush to Kurau and Kasey’s to take Pondo to Puppy Camp. The interesting part was that I took one road to get there, not the one I wanted, and then on the way back I took another road, again not the one I wanted… But I made it, and Pondo only got in a few fights with other dogs.
The next day, I planted some trees at the skill center, so if they don’t die I will be a successful volunteer.
Then back to Fajara, and then, Dakar!

Toubabodu of The Gambia

Our All-Volunteer Conference was held at the Sheraton, and was very sweet. The Sheraton has: an infinity pool, a private beach, fluffy white comforters (my favorite part!), tubs and glass showers, balconies, beer, rich food, electricity, air conditioning, cable TV, and mini-fridges. It’s Toubabodu. And amazing.
We did manage to have several successful meetings and break-out sessions. The Open Mic Night was well attended and the performances were fantastic.