Sara Samba revisted…
I just returned to Kombo from a visit to Sara Samba. It was very nice to see the old host family, especially little Isatou and to give them gifts again. The journey to the village is not most comforting, especially when you have to take public transportation. A vehicle the size of a mini-van is jammed full of people and the roads are the worst I have ever experienced. Usually the vehicle needs a good push start and you can’t move for the next 5 hours. It was a true experience when the vehicle was leaking brake fluid so in order to stop, a small boy had to get out and get rocks to throw under the tires to slow down. I will not complain about coach class on an airplane again after this! Let’s all appreciate what we have back at home.
In the next posts, i’ll be posting pictures I took at Sara Samba, I get a lot of comments on cute Isatou so she was the main focus.
sad but true…
South of The Gambia on the border of Senegal, there are still landmines. I helped NSGA with some posters which are posted in the region. I believe two children were killed last year near the border.
promo for the Y…
I designed and took the photo’s for a small promo card here at the YMCA. 
at the Swear In for new volunteers….
On the left is Ambassador Barry Wells and the right is Gambia’s Peace Corps Country Director Mike McConnell. I was the official photographer for the Swear In and was held at the beautiful Ambassador’s house near the beach. The other picture is Haddy Sowe and I, she was my instructor for language and culture.
Obama and family!
This picture of my dad, brother Jay and now President Elect Obama. It was taken back in 2007 at Simpson College where Jay will be graduating from soon. Obama supports the Peace Corps and doing service for the country. It might not be the highest priority on his long list but hopefully will increase the Peace Corps budget so I do not have to eat egg sandwiches and wonder if I have enough for a drink everyday! I am also proud of the Walton family and their accomplishments in life.
My first Billboard!
Well, it might not be for a big brand name back in the States but its the main telephone company here in The Gambia. (Gamtel). I helped out “The Studio” with the photoshoot. Just interesting to drive by that and see my two photo’s up there.
Happy Holidays and a New Year….
I wish everyone a great New Year. I hope 2009 will be productive here and I guess I’m already for 2010! The holidays here were not quite the same as back as home. Christmas morning I woke up wearing just shorts and asking myself, what should I do? I attended a small gathering with other PCV’s for a potluck lunch. Well, there wasn’t that much food on the table so I could only eat one fajita 
New Year’s eve I was sick and all the cold and flu medicine kicked in and I was out at 11:30 pm, exciting huh?
I’m back to work on January 5th, nice to try to get busy again. To start off the New Year I want to say a big thanks to my parents for all their support. Thanks to Marti for about 100 calendars that were donated and also Mrs. Chapman. Good karma to you all for 2009….Peace to everyone.
From Budung again….
Cute kids from my friends compound in Budung.
