So I was in Kankan for a few days for “Warden Training.” Warden training is a day long affair in which we discuss our roles and responsiblities during different states of elevated alert. It didn’t seem particularly useful, but I thought it was at least going to be a fun chance to see other volunteers. But instead I didn’t have much fun, spent a lot of time feeling like I wasn’t connecting with anyone, and wanted to come back to site. Now that I am here my spirits are picking up again, but it wasn’t very fun, which is too bad, since regional visits are supposed to be a sort of vacation.
The trip there went fine. We had four volunteers in one car and so we got a row to ourselves and played games the whole way there. I went running Saturday and Sunday with some other volunteers, which was really nice, and inspired me to get running at site (we will see about that). I had the chance to go back on Monday, but instead I decided to wait for Tuesday and go back with some other volunteers, which was a mistake, cause Monday was a giant waste. We spent the whole time wandering around en ville and waiting for our money to arrive at the bank. Result is that we did nothing but also didn’t get to relax, and I was exhausted by the end of it all. I did win about 17.000 FG playing poker though ($3.20).
There is one plus though. Kankan has copious amounts of frozen beesap (made with habiscus) and gingam (made with, well, ginger). That stuff is so freakin good I could, and did, drink ten or more a day.
Oh yeah, and the taxi ride back was a danger to my life. I will skip the details, but it was ridiculous.
My first day back in Faranah has been good though. I cleaned and organized my house, bought a few things, recharged my computer, and set up a record system to keep track of my finances here. It should be interesting to see how I spend my money. People are always to excited to see me after a trip that it almost automatically puts me in a good mood.
I made pancakes, but they came out more like crepes, and the taste isn’t that great either. Unfortunately I tried several different things this time, and so I don’t know exactly what it was that made them weird. The scrambled eggs were good though.
Okay, nothing specific to report. Mail run comes on Sunday, and Friday Sajay and I are taking our cats to the vet to get their rabies shots. Tomorrow I am supposed to meet with my counterpart to work out a plan for the next few months, which should be interesting, and hopefully will be good.
