New Pictures! Yay!!

Over 100 pictures from my past couple months in Senegal have just been added to my blog. Enjoy!!

http://http//picasaweb.google.com/thebyronyee

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Byron Yee
Peace Corps Volunteer - Senegal, 2009

WAIST

Every year Senegal hosts the West African Intercollegiate Softball Tournament (WAIST). For three days, PCVs and other NGO employees from Senegal, Mali, Mauritania, Gambia, Niger, and even Togo gathered to play softball, drink too much beer, and eat real American hotdogs. There were also costumes involved.

My team played well; I was not on the field due to my complete lack of athleticism. But after 3 days of softball, swimming, and partying, I’m ready to get back to work.

Pictures coming soon…

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Byron Yee
Peace Corps Volunteer - Senegal, 2009

Superbowl Party

As a reward for staying at site for the first 5 weeks of our service, our awesome director threw a Superbowl Party at his beautiful house in Dakar. There were some great hot dogs, Pringles, and real American cereals. The next morning, we were fed a delicious bacon and egg breakfast.

The game itself was broadcast live, so the kickoff was 11:30pm, which made it a late night. But it was great seeing some American (vs. Senegalese) football and eating some American foods.

Thanks for the party, Chris!

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Byron Yee
Peace Corps Volunteer - Senegal, 2009

Speaking of fun transportation…

The other day I was heading to a major city. The car seemed to run okay; we did have to stop a couple times to refill the radiator so the car didn’t overheat and explode. Also, there was a runaway horse-cart, whose driver was missing and whose horse was running wildly on the loose; wreaking havoc both on and off the road.

Finally, we did have to stop a final time to push start our car. I thought it was a rather pleasant ride overall. Every ride is an adventure, and an authentic one at that.

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Byron Yee
Peace Corps Volunteer - Senegal, 2009

A new transportation vehicle

You remember the “sept place” (a station wagon with 7 seats)? Well the other day I rode a “neuf place” (9 seats). The car is the same exact vehicle, just you magically stuff an extra two bodies into the seats. Luckily the ride was not very long, but an extra 2 bodies makes things that much more crowded, heavy and slow, and less comfortable overall.

Apparently, my PCV friend from Mauritania informed me that the “neuf place” was a standard form of transportation. What’s my slogan? “It could be worse…”

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Byron Yee
Peace Corps Volunteer - Senegal, 2009

Another lovely GI issue

This time it’s not my GI Tract that’s in jeopardy; it’s our horse. I never knew it was possible for a horse to get diarrhea, but “when in Senegal…”

I feel bad for him as there’s not much we can do. It’s not like we can change his diet of hay and water. I’m just glad it’s not me right now. But don’t worry; my turn will come again soon. It’s inevitable.

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Byron Yee
Peace Corps Volunteer - Senegal, 2009