I hope every one is doing well. It has been a few crazy days for me so far. Talk about a culture shock. We had a staging oin atlanta where we got to meet everyone and become friends. It went very well because everyone in the group is about my age. We mostly spent time talking about what it will be like when we arrive o site. It wasn't very helpful, but it calmed the nerves. The hotel was very nice and each person had a queen sized bed which had 10 pillows on it and a nice AC. I say that since I am in over 100 degree weather with no ac. We headed from atlanta to Dakar. Our plane was also heading to South africa. The funny part was when we landded in Dakar, we were the only ones to get off. Even the baggage guy didn't belive I wwas getting of in Dakar. I think he was trying to tell me something when he said "Your not going to South Africa?" After arriving in Dakar we noticed the diffrence immediatly. It was as if we stepped into another world. There were about three guys working the inside of the terminal while four guys were sleeping on the floor. The baggage came in on the only conveyor belt and then we headed to the bus. As we walked outside there were about 200 men tanding next to the airport behind baracades stairing at us. No one said a word to us except for a few men who hold out their hands for you to shake them. Aftre a long bus ride we arrived to the training center which is called Theis (Chess). The drive was very akward since I have never been to aplace like this. Most buildings are cement or tin. people are walking in the road and everyone is stairing. After arriving at the training center they reeted us with a tam tam, or drumm as you would call it. Then we began the process. we were assigned rooms and given a chance to sleep under these musqioto nets. Which are 20 degres hoter inside. Since trainuibg we have been doing survival Wolof which is the main language spoken. I have been having a very difficult time since words ar crazy. Like thank you is jerejef. Words can have mb right next to eachother or tudd means name, but the dd has to be said stuttering. I wa really getting frusytrated since I can't get it. Luckily we have had a chance to go to dymistification which sends me and another trainee to a village where people voluntering are. We are right now in Joal which is a fishng town south of Dakar. it is beautiful and the people are great. The children run and yell toubab toubab every time we pass by. Which means white or foreighner. I hear that about a thousand times a day. It satrts to get a little annoyinhg but that is what the kids do. I hope to send some pics soon but it still may be a little. When I walk in the street I have to greet everyone and that is the nmost important thing. For example:
Asalaa Malacuum
Malacuum Saam

Nanga Def
Mangi Fi(rekk)

Naka Waa keer ga
Nunga fa

Cava
Cava cava bien bien

Nanga laa tudd
Josh laa tudd. (Every one calls me Jass)

Fan nga Joggee
Americ laa jogee

Fan chi amric
Michigan Chi americAt this point i jhave no wolof left so I go to cava. A five min walk can take 20 min. I havn't had a meal on teh floor yet with a family except for training so far but i have eaten at the house of momadu nji which is a very generous man. They always make you try to eat more than you can which is makes it difficult to say no.they always ionsit kind of likle mom with the appetizers.Any who i have to get going i am out of time. i get my family this thursday and I want to say happy b day katie. I love you all and i sweat non stop.