Salaamaaleekum!

I have finally arrived in Gambia after 28 hours of travel. I am one of 35 trainees who are apart of the environment program, like me, or the health and community development program. So far we have had two days of training including learning greetings in 3 languages, mandinka, wolof, and pulaar. Its pretty overwhelming to try and learn all three at the same time, which makes me even more excited to find out what language I will be speaking for my service at some point next week. Next week is when we move out to the training villages as well and I start living with a host family in a family compound. Right now we all live at the PC training house and are definitely being spoiled.

As the plane was landing I was struck by how amazingly green and gorgeous this area is. There are a ton of trees and beautiful flowers between and along the compound walls. So far the temps have been in the 90s, but we're told they should be cooling off in the next couple weeks. Sounds like perfect timing to be heading out to the village. I can't wait to learn what life is really going to be like for the next 2 years. :-)

I'll let you know what village life is like when I get back!

~Jenna

Hard to believe, but November 3rd has finally arrived. Tomorrow I start my travels to the Gambia, Africa. I am going to try and maintain this blog while I'm there...... hopefully it works out better for me then facebook did. ;-) At this point, I only know some basic information about the Gambia, but I thought I would share a little bit of that quickly before heading out.



The Gambia is the smallest country Africa and is located in western Africa. It is almost completely surrounded by Senegal except for a small coast line on the Atlantic Ocean. Fun fact, it is slightly smaller then Connecticut. (thanks Grandpa K) There are 5 major different ethnic groups and approximately 6 different languages throughout the country. I do not know which language I will be learning yet since I do not know where specifically I will be living during my 2 years of service. I am working under the broad spectrum of an environmental volunteer and I will have more specifics for you on exactly what that means as I go through training and move to my village.



I am really excited to have the opportunity to live in the Gambia for a couple years; the Peace Corps is something I've wanted to do for a long time. After graduating from college I started my "career" of full time service in the United States with two years in AmeriCorps NCCC. Somehow it seems fitting for me to move on to a couple years of service in Africa.



I look forward to updating you all on life in the Gambia soon!



~Jenna