W.A.I.S.T. Deuxième

Another year, another round of well-played softball. Teams from around Senegal, as well as other countries (Gambia, Mali, and Cape Verde) made a showing to the annual Dakar event. Most teams (the PC ones), really stepped up their costumes.

TambaGou (Tamba & Kedougou): Baseball Corps, The North: Snorkel Corps, Kolda: South of the Border, Kaolack: Girl/Boy Scouts, Dakar: French, Linguere: Suits, Cape Verde: Weird Medical Gear

The magic wasn’t only found on the field. An incredibly competitive talent show was scheduled for the first night, followed by a prom themed masquerade ball the second night. The third night culminated in an all night, festive soirée.

A good time had by all.

Characters tested. Lives changed. Morals bent. That’s about the gist of it. Sooooo….here are some choice photos to sum up the event.

August 12, 2010 (Teaching Rhianna)

The ceiling fan is on full blast. Washed my clothes this morning, or at least I tried to. They’re hanging on the line outside. They’re almost done. This is my recovery time from the last week and a half. After IST there was an English camp in Thies. Teenage kids, all wanting to practice they’re English. It was an experience. The other PCVs and myself split the kids into groups. Wilma and I took 13. Team Scorpion. They gave themselves English names like Tom, Maria, Rhianna and Beyonce. Jessica and Eric, Team Lion, had kids named Lincoln, Honey, and Weezy. There was also an Eminem and Akon in another group. The whole camp was essentially a regurgitation of every icebreaker and trust exercise that we’ve ever learned…ever. Human Knot, Zip Zap Zop, Telephone, Zoo, Limbo, to name a few. The week ended with each group performing a number. Our group sang “Give Thanks to Allah.” Not all English, but it was still awesome. Then we danced. We danced, they watched.

The rain poured over Thies that whole week too. That city was not built for water. One minute, African heat. The next minute, biblical rain. Jessica brought an umbrella. Smart girl. Although the umbrella couldn’t help the flooded open sewers and the river that formed down each street. Feet, ankles, half of my calves, wading through dirty weird water. Shivers. Gag reflex.

After camp we decided to venture to Dakar. Oh Dakar. Where my money goes to die. What can I say about Dakar? Went to Keuhl Graul, a monthly forest party. Found legitimate Chinese food. Found not legitimate Mexican food. Ate pork. Swam in a chlorinated pool. I had a good time. Now I’m back in Tamba. Ramadan begins today. Eric and I just made ramen noodles with canned chicken. Maybe I’ll fast later.