Domanding, Domangding!

Oh lord, please help me. Learning a new language is hard enough but having to learn greetings in three languages that you're completely unfamiliar with is just a weeeee bit more difficult! So as we say in Mandinka (the language i will be focusing on) - Domanding, domanding! (Slowly, slowly!). I've used that phrase with my instructors MANY times already!

So in one week, i've learned the following:

- Gambians hate snakes/lizards/salamanders and will avoid them at all costs!

- I share the Gambian sense of humor which = loud, lots of laughing and teasing for those people you like

- Dancing in class while trying to learn a phrase is not only acceptable, but highly encouraged!

- Group building activities include: profusely sweating together, avoiding rubber-band assassinations, eating potatoes 34 different ways by Omar the Peace Corps cook who owns a rocket ship "restaurant" by the side of the road, and comparing pain levels after your 16th immunization shot of the week!

- Owning a watch does not = actually using a watch!

- Drinking attaya (the local tea that everyone drinks all day/everyday) on the way to the bathroom will delay your trip by 15 minutes because you spend the time greeting everyone and sitting under the shade in the heat of the afternoon

- You get a LOT of medicines in your medical kit. A TON! I feel like i could open my own pharmacy to supplant my income right now (haha, Peace Corps people, i won't do that...no...of course not...).

- Its sunny. I mean really, really sunny. Beautifully sunny. There is not a cloud in the sky right now but that's because i arrived right in time for the dry season so i have 7 more months before i see rain!

- The beach has a lot of bumsters on it and they looove to talk to you. Wikipedia it, and ask me more by email if you want!

Of course that doesn't capture every awesome thing that's happened this week, but its a start. I move to my training village on Friday where i will be learning Mandinka from morning to night as well as going through cultural and technical training. I will be planting a garden and learning techniques for teaching disease prevention as well.

After my 9 week training, I will have to pass some tests and then will officially swear in as a Peace Corps volunteer in January. Then i get placed at my permanent site. So if you don't hear from me for awhile, then no worries, i am in my training village learning the basics so i can get off to a good start!

These next couple of months will be extremely intense so wish me luck!