Hi Everyone (Asaleem Malekum),

I won't be able to write a long post unfortunately because I'm on someone else's computer but I just wanted to let everyone know that I arrived safe on Wednesday morning. Staging was quick but good and I absolutely love all of the volunteers-they are all amazing people. It already seems like I have a lot in common with them :) Better yet, we had our interviews today so they can get a better sense of where in the country to place us and it sounds like I might be able to work with cows for one project and run soccer/basketball camps for girls in another! I can't wait to find out where exactly I will be going and what I will be doing.

"Survival" Wolof started today and to my surprise, although French is the national language, it doesn't sound like I will be using it very much. It's much more likely that I will be learning one of six regional dialects (Wolof being the most widespread). So far I love the language sessions and I have learned basic greetings (including the very important-do you have a husband?). I also found plenty of people who like to stay active so in two days I've already played a game of soccer, basketball and volleyball.

John Foskett this is for you: The food is absolutely delicious. We eat large pieces of baguette for breakfast with chocolate and peanut butter and lunch and dinner are eaten from a communal bowl (4-5 to a bowl). Dinner and Lunch usually consist of a rice base with delicious meat and vegetables with onion or peanut sauces. It's been a little hard adjusting but everyone is in the same boat so it makes me feel better about missing home.

This morning I woke up to the sound of birds chirping (which actually sound like monkeys) so I felt like I was waking up in a tropical rainforest. The days so far consist of language classes, quizzes and interviews, introductions and training overviews. We can't leave the Peace Corps Center until Monday when we are allowed to walk around Thies and use our allowance. And then on Tuesday we all live for our homestays where we will train for two weeks at a time and then come back to the center. Supposedly its hillarious and completely awkward because at that point we won't know enough Wolof to have real conversations! Even still, I'm so excited!

I feel immensely better today but yesterday at several points I thought to myself: "why did I decide to do this again". This was after learning about squat toilets (sans toilet paper), the fact that I will definitely get violently ill and get staph infections or some variation at some point, and that the malaria pills will most likely give me intense nightmares, anxiety and the feeling of a sunburn. But then I think about the support I have from my family and the fact that I have been wanting to do this for 6 years and that I am positive I will love the experience. I'm sorry I can't write more but I have to give up the computer-will write soon!

Love you all,
Erin