if it's getting any colder in the usa (and all sources tell me it's true), I really can't tell here. The rains have stopped. I can tell that the baobab trees in my backyard are starting to lose their leaves. People are talking about Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it seems like mid-August. I'll have to get used to this I guess.
To my suprise, I received two big boxes of food from my dad; then another from my sister today. Made my day--no strike that, week. Everyone keeps asking what's ok to send so I'll address that. What makes a good care package? Anything really. Just don't send anything valuable, the postal service has been known in the past to check, (fortunately my boxes weren't opened this time). It costs similarly for me to send back to the us, but keep in mind that a dollar is worth a heck of a lot more here (I give about the equalivent to 2 bucks a day to my family for food). A stamp for a letter is 550 FCFA, you can look up the current exchange rate at xe.com, but it's about 500 per dollar. So what can you send? Anything that will last and not spoil for 2-3 weeks in transit. I suppose that reduces your options. Things like dried fruits, rasins, oatmeal/granola and cereals, nuts of all types (they have cashews and peanuts here, but they arent the same), along those lines PeanutButter (the stuff here is horrible, and I love some creamy PeterPan), any *hard* candy (it's hot here, things melt) (oh, and christmas is coming...candy canes!), dried meat such as jerky or canned tuna, drink mixes, and pens and paper. The last one may come as a suprise, but the paper here is weird and the pens rarely write well. Be sure to tape up any packages well, they are coming a long distance!
Today is my 100th day in country. Seems like a long time yet I'm only 1/8 done.
The wolof is coming along, tutti rekk.
Happy thanksgiving to everyone! We're going to try and fix thanksgiving dinner at the regional house in Kaolack. Then, maybe, I'll go the week after to the north to Ndioun for a Christmas party; Not sure yet.
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Hi Kenny: I will try again to post, computer says it will not update, try again. That was yesteday, maybe this time it will work. Thanks for the news. I read to grandma. She was excited. Everyone at Larry's today. Lots of goodies to eat - as usual - I'll eat on biscuit for you - OK? Hope you have a good thanksgiving. Let us know how they celebrate since this is a US holiday. Should be interesting. Everyone is bringing something for you today, so I will mail it next week. Watch your mail for a box. It will probably be late for christmas, but better late than never! Happy Thanksgiving! Love, Martha
ReplyDeleteKeep the blogs a comin lil brother!
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