Variety

One of the most amazing and outstanding things about America is variety. Both breadth and depth.

For example:

- Meat: All animals, all in various packages and combinations. You can even get a whole pack of chicken drumsticks! That versus - 1 sheep killed this morning, first come first serve.

- Beer: I just went to Seattle to a place that has 150 beers on tap. WHAT?! My choices in Senegal were "watery and gross" or "more watery and more gross"

- Shampoo: This morning in the shower, I decided to go for the Body Booster instead of Sleek and Shiny. And I was just getting used to the fact that I found a bar of soap (1 of 4 choices) that both smelled good and was antibacterial.

Choices are great, but also extremely overwhelming. I'm still at the point where I stare at a menu in awe, then finally ask the waiter for a recommendation.

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Byron Yee

Peace Corps Volunteer - Senegal, 2009

The good ole Greyhound

I've always loved taking public transportation in any country/culture as it provides such a fascinating cultural insight and a chance for some very fun people watching. Needless to say, the Greyhound's clientele does have makeup the most - classy of Americans in this country...

First off, our driver was not the most articulate of individuals. Except at one point during the ride, she did say quite clearly and powerfully, "If someone is in the bathroom, you've been there for far too long and I'm going to say you need to vacate there right now."

One of passengers was staring at two gentlemen and out of the blue asked "are you guys twins?" when all they had in common was white skin and similarly unkempt goatees.

But the ride itself was lovely. We stopped at a gas station, which is my new favorite heaven as they have an endless selection of chips, crackers, and just way too many Snickers bars to consume in one sitting. Also, I found a quarter in the payphone I was using.

Today has been fantastic.

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Byron Yee
Peace Corps Volunteer - Senegal, 2009

5 strange things about the first 5 days back in America

After being back in the US for a few days, there are things that seem totally normal, and other things that are seemingly mindless, yet are very strange to me.

1. Auto flush toilets: I literally jumped off the seat mid-poop out of fright and confusion. Then I proceeded to be further confused by a full roll of toilet paper next to the toilet. What is that stuff for?

2. US Coins: What are those strange shiny objects I just got back from the cashier? Why are they a different weight, size, and shape? How does one determine the value of them?

3. Electric Outlets: Oh my, there are several outlets in one room! But why don't sparks flight out or why do I not feel 220V of current running through my arm when I plug something in?

4. Kitchen Pantry: Forget the supermarket, an American pantry has an overwhelming selection of snacks. So much food, so little time...

5. Cars: Wait, I don't have to push start the car, then run and jump into my seat when I need a ride? And I get a whole seat to myself?! I love this place.

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Byron Yee

Peace Corps Volunteer - Senegal, 2009

Travel Stories in America

Well, as frustrating and angry I've been over the past two years when meetings and deadlines are respected, there are times when being overly punctual can hurt as well.

The homeward bound story:

Flight 1 from Dakar to Casablanca: Fine. No problems, no issues.

Flight 2 - Casablanca to JFK: Also great. Except that I was sitting next to a 20 month year old and walked out of the airplane with my pants and shoes plastered with Dora the Explorer stickers. Also, the girl in the seat in front of me pooped her pants during the flight.

Flight 3 - Missed. Our 2nd plane landed in time, but stayed on the runway until it could dock at the terminal. Add that hour of time to the waiting for immigration, customs, baggage claim, more lines...I was not able to make my 3rd flight and had to wait another 12 hours before the next flight left to Seattle.

So me and the JFK airport had a cozy little sleep over that night. I wouldn't be a good Peace Corps Volunteer if:

a. I had $127.00 (plus tax) to spend on a hotel room.

b. I was not capable of sleeping anywhere at any given point in time.

Also, I happened to have a travel pillow and travel towel (aka blanket), so life was just fine. Unfortunately, the guard in Morocco confiscated my toothpaste, which I would have really liked using.

But a hot cup of Starbucks coffee and a McDonald's Big Mac never tasted better in my life.

Well, 36 hours after leaving Dakar, I'm finally home. First task: shower, Second task: laundry, Third task: Sleep. More updates from the home front coming soon...

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Byron Yee

Peace Corps Volunteer - Senegal, 2009

Au revoir Sénégal

Au revoir Sénégal, et merci pour tout. Farewell Senegal, it's been real.

A very special thanks to:
- Peace Corps: For the wonderful and amazing opportunity
- Waa Keur Badou Mboup: The best, most gracious, most wonderful family in Senegal

- Assane Badiane: My handy counterpart and great friend

- Lamine Diop: Local supervisor

- Cassie Blass: An awesome sitemate, a fantastic work partner, the toughest trooper I've ever met, and my best friend.

And thank you to everyone on the "home front" for supporting me throughout these past 2 years. Byron Yee is homeward bound...

Jerengeenjef, Yallah na Yallah fekkleen ak jamm. Ma'a salaam.

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Byron Yee

Peace Corps Volunteer - Senegal, 2009

Peace Corps: The Final Days

Dear friends across the world,

My t shirts are no longer clothing, my pants are no longer patchable, my feet are bloody and bruised, my eyes are dry, sandy, and yellow colored, and I haven't showered or changed my clothes for the past 3 days. Granted those last two were totally in my control to fix, my point is that I'm very tired and very much ready to come home. And yet, despite my empty stomach's heavy craving for a beefy American burger and a slurpee from 7-11, my heart is very full of life.

36 hours ago, I said farewell to my friends and family who so readily and eagerly accepted a strange and confused American into their community. 36 hours later, I'm still very much, if not more so now, a strange and confused American. Yet the past 2 years of my life have been the happiest, saddest, most challenging, and most rewarding moments ever. Now the final countdown begins as I'm wrapping up the last few reports, tests, and forms before flying back to a country I used to call "home." The USA will always be home for me, but not in a singular or sole sense. Senegal has taught me so many very valuable life lessons, many of which I'm eager to share with you all.

I'll be flying home July 18th, and have tried my best thus far not to countdown and maintain a solid attitude. I'll then be in Seattle for 2 weeks before heading to a very different and much more personal adventure in China. I hope to see you all when I'm back, but please be patient as I've been an expatriate now for 23 months. In the meantime, please wish me the best of luck and the smoothest of transitions out of West Africa. Anytime you throw your heart and soul into something, it's difficult to tear yourself away from. My blood, sweat, and tears (yes literally) will forever be in Senegal. So please, be patient with me.

With much peace and joy,

--

Byron Yee

Peace Corps Volunteer - Senegal, 2009

On Senegal and Technology

I just got 5 emails from people back in the US. Each of them ended with a tag "sent from my iPhone" or Droid, or Blackberry, or any other fancy smart phone.

Sometimes I enjoy the simplicity of my life here, other times I really do miss technological advances of the rest of the world. For example, my email tag here would read something like:

"Sent from my battery powered computer connected to a battery powered internet phone, sitting in a dark powerless room with my headlamp on, violently swatting mosquitoes away in between keystrokes."

At this point, I'm just grateful if my email says "sent"

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Byron Yee

Peace Corps Volunteer - Senegal, 2009

My Life Is Average

This event was something that should be posted on http://mylifeisaverage.com/. But the context is within my strange Peace Corps life, which is anything but average.

This afternoon, I was on the phone recalling how exciting of a day I had had with another PCV Emily. "Oh yes, I do remember now. I traded a Backstreet Boys song for a picture you took of a nut shelling machine." The sad part was, that was really the most exciting part of that day.

So for those "jealous" of my experience here, don't worry. You're sometimes really not missing anything.

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Byron Yee
Peace Corps Volunteer - Senegal, 2009

Fresh samples

This morning, I went into the doctor's office in order to arrange for my Fresh Stool Sample (their exact terminology) to be made. Backing up, I ate a fried egg sandwich from a street corner and a very large mango given to me by a driver last night in preparation for this event.

I asked the doctor what sort of sample size she wanted. She replied, "About a teaspoon, no more."

I immediately bit my tongue as to stifle my urge to as a follow up question "Is that heaping or level?"

It's a good thing I've still held onto some twisted sense of professionalism. And all professionalism aside, that's just kinda gross.

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Byron Yee

Peace Corps Volunteer - Senegal, 2009

The Last...lunch

Well, there was no wine involved, but there were about a dozen people. There was also an intensely delicious chicken lunch cooked by me, my mother and my sister.

It's already that time, time to say goodbye and leave site. I spent the last day with my family cooking lunch, playing with my siblings, drinking tea, and just trying to be present and patient. I showered my family with all sorts of gifts (if you visit and see the entire family wearing "Relay 4 Life" Tshirts, you can guess where they may have come from). I am extremely grateful and forever indebted to their care, comfort, and patience with me and my silly American ways.

So to the family of Badou Mboup, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I could say that in every language I know and it still wouldn't suffice.

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Byron Yee

Peace Corps Volunteer - Senegal, 2009

Time for another Sarax

Sarax: A charity or religious event involving Senegalese millet porridge and prayers.

This time, my dad held a sarax for his daughter Diambal. Her husband died (may he rest ak jamm) and Islamic law holds that she must mourn for 3 months and 10 days. Well, the countdown finally finished and now she is officially, for lack of a better term, "on the market"

So yet again, please allow me to insert my prayers and blessings.

- Diambal, may you become beautiful again to the eyes of the eligible bachelors

- May you marry well and have a fulfilling life

- And may your new husband be understanding, patient, unselfish, helpful, and NOT a chauvinist like the rest of his stupid buddies

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Byron Yee

Peace Corps Volunteer - Senegal, 2009

My first kill

I just killed my first scorpion. I didn't want to, but it really would've crawled under the doorway and into our bedroom and possibly walked on top of me while I slept. Is that justifiable?

The death was quick, and quite juicy. But Karma has it's ways. It sent a large and very fast camel spider to bother me in my sleep instead that night.

I slept "like a ninja" that night. Meaning, every time I heard a noise or felt the slightest weight on my mattress, all of my limbs flailed violently.

Now I know exactly why Senegal's government is working so hard to pass out bed nets.

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Byron Yee

Peace Corps Volunteer - Senegal, 2009

Girl's Camp

Kaolack's PCVs just hosted the 2nd annual girls summer camp in Sokone. It was a week long event run by Americans, just like a good ole American summer camp should be - except it was conducted in French, Wolof, and Sereer.

Garrison and I got a chance to test our theatre arts and did some social change work using theatre and art as a discussion tool. It was challenging, scary, but well accepted and went very well. That, the s'mores, and the kickball made the week just awesome and fun.

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Byron Yee

Peace Corps Volunteer - Senegal, 2009

It's a Girl!

Well, my mom did an impressive job hiding the fact that she was pregnant (it's a cultural thing), but when she finally popped, it was quite a celebration.

It's traditional to have a baptism and naming ceremony one week after the child is born. Her name is Mame Siga Mboup, named after her older mom (the 1st wife). Unfortunately, I was off in Dakar working during the party, so please allow me a moment to send my blessing:

- Alhamdulillahi (praise to Allah) that our new girl is healthy and strong
- Praise Allah for her great name and namesake
- And Alhamdulillahi that my dad, despite his age, is still firing strong. Way to go dad!

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Byron Yee
Peace Corps Volunteer - Senegal, 2009