Christmas in Kaolack

I spent Christmas this year in Kaolack along with 15 other volunteers. Another volunteer headed up the festivities for Christmas eve: many desserts, spiced cider, and a white elephant exchange. There were around 7 or 8 of us who decided to go to the Catholic vigil. So after the gift exchange, we headed out to the one church in town. In true Senegalese style, it started late with the traditional manger skit, along with some kind of skit about a rainbow. I'm not really sure--it was all in french. At the end when Jesus was born, they let loose a live white dove. That was pretty cool.
Friday morning, we made pancakes, bacon, and hot cocoa. Yummy! For lunch a couple of other volunteers made some tomato soup and grilled cheese, from scratch.
And then dinner. I made a five pound honey glazed baked ham, along with sweet corn, sauteed green beans, mashed potatos, and millet (corn) bread. Everyone said it was good-especially since we had pork twice in a day. Much smaller than Thanksgiving, too (and thus much easier to make the food).
I uploaded a few more pictures (from a long time ago) so click below and check them out. Also byron has many good pictures, so look at his too!

PST

chugging along

i'm still here! last week I went into Kaolack to do a radio show. Well really just introduce myself along with two others from my stage on air. Somehow we promised that in January we'd do the show ourselves, since the two who normally do it wouldn't be availiable (i.e. vacationing in the us). Bonne chances to us I suppose.
I haven't been doing much as of lately. Just learning some language, reading some books, and making attaaya (senegalese tea). There are about 10 or 12 high school guys who come over every afternoon now and for around two hours, talk and make tea in their customary elaborate ceremony.
Next week, I'm going to Kaolack againg for Christmas. Should be fun. We're making desserts and having a white elephant exchange Christmas eve. Then for the 25th making a gigantic dinner. yum.

More Pics

More pictur, slowly coming...

PST - training