Dad's Interpretation

So Dad is home back in the best country in the world - America. A few days after my parents arrived, I told them that I would like to put on my blog what they thought of their trips. To give you another opportunity for interpretation of my life. I hope you enjoy what my dad has to say (although some of it was hard for me to hear, the thing that I love is that he knows now, rather than just guessing or assuming what my life is like):

Interesting -
Best: Seeing the leadership of Ndem advance its people in many ways; art,culture, science, technology and health.
Least: As an engineer my life and work are built around improving upon thecurrent model ... of everything. So, as normal, my expectation was to havemany ideas on how things should be changed to make the Peace Corps workbetter. But, I am not the one to ask how to change the way it works. Myanswers would be of no help. I suggest you look to the current volunteersfor good answers.

Food -
Best: We arrived at the beach resort La Pierre de Lisse. We enjoyed anice lobster dinner that surpassed any meal I have ever had before. The other meals were also terrific.
Worst: Spicy beans on a dry French baget for breakfast. This is a moderntraditional meal and Kira enjoys it almost daily. She can have mine aswell. To be honest I think I put on a bit of weight on this trip as Ienjoyed about everything I ate. While I did not have much in the way ofstomach distress, my wife had a bad bout of travelers-runs. She got to seefar more of Kira’s bathroom accommodations that desired. She was leftbehind for a day to get better, which she did thank heavens. But, thesefolks need more peanut butter in their diet.

Hotel -
Best: While the La Pierre was clearly charming, with its TIKI hut stylerooms, ocean view, and elegant pool. I don't want to spend my whole timetalking about the La Pierre so I am going to pass them by. (That said, Irecommend this resort to all American parents - just make sure you haveeither French or Wolof speaking skills and a healthy amount of money in youraccount) So for my money, the Dakar Savanna gets this vote, the pool wasfun, the bed was softer, the beach looked nice, the poolside bar wasenjoyable and all in all it was great.
Worst: This is a bit unfair as we only stayed for a couple hours as wearrived after our overnight flight. We did come back the next evening justbefore heading out of the city. We were so tired I don't remember much ofthis. The hotel was called Hotel du Phare (lighthouse) and was near Kira's side of town. On the first night, Erin a friend of Kira's needed a place so she spent the nightonly to suffer from bed-bug bites. They were loud outside our room late atnight and early in the morning as we were just off the lobby.

Transportation-
Best: We got around mostly in cab rides. We used the sept place ("setplace") to go longer distances. These are small economy station wagons inwhich you pack 7 people. I think it was when we were getting from a townoutside Dakar back to the city (the memory blurs) but Kira took upconversation with the driver in Wolof the native tongue. He of courseoffered his hand in marriage. Kira complimented his car and he acknowledgethat he had no money left for a wife right now as he was wanting severalwives. Anytime I got to ride anywhere no matter what, I enjoyed watchingout the window. Another interesting trip was heading to Ndem through thecountryside. The "road" to the village was a charett path (horse-drawntrailer). It would compare to a fire-lane through a remote NorthernWisconsin forest. But the interesting thing was that people wereencountered all along the way - much like a trip to town here at home.
Worst:We got in a sept-place for another ride and a man got in and promptly told uswhen he found out we were Americans that Osama bin Laden is his favoriteleader. This should scare all of us. But perhaps by having a car ride witha family of Americans who were friendly and “normal” might give him adifferent impression of us. His view of us comes entirely from the TV showssuch as "24" and news reports. This my friends gives the rest of the worlda very misleading twisted view of us as a people. The fact that we as apeople and our government do nothing about this is nothing short of stupid.
I think I also dislike Kira having to negotiate the price each time. But, Iadmit she was quite good at it. She has to get a bit nasty in some cases.She needs to make sure this is viewed as part of the game and not part oflife. We as a people should not live comfortably with conflict in themundane portion of our lives. I feel bad for the drivers who clearly didnot make much money on several of our trips. The cars did not fall apartfor us on the road but 50% of the cars on the road there would be in ajunkyard here in America.

Surprises-
Best: The people. They were interesting, kind and caring. They wereintelligent, hard working, and had the same values as me. They were familycentered, and have a great culture. They are truly a handsome people. Thewomen walking and working along the roads were often in beautiful clothing.
Worst: My daughter is taking risks with her health and welfare that make afather worry. (I am known to be a worrier.) She drinks the water untreated,she gets skin infections and lots of bug bites. She gets around in atransportation system that is not known for its safety. She eats riskyfoods. She travels a lot. She stands out and attracts attention to herpresence. She lives so far from good medical attention that she can notexpect to call 9-1-1 and get help when it is needed. I fully intend to rideher butt for the next year to take fewer risks. This girl needs her daddylooking over her shoulder…

Insight -
Best: My opinion is the single biggest thing the Peace Corps does for theworld is it puts our best people in touch with the people of the world. Ofcourse the projects matter, but the shear presence is the thing thatmatters. Our new President, who I am saying with confidence will beextracted from Africa, has an opportunity to change America's relationshipwith the world. This change in global relationships has the potential to bethe most significant since World War II - and the atomic bomb. It will beinteresting to see if we leverage this or squander the opportunity.

Thing about the trip:
Best: The best part of the trip was hearing Kira's laughter.
Worst: Having to leave both my wife and daughter behind.