Relief, Rindiao, revenge

field journal

The mutederribaat (trainees) vi Sabualla have done a 180 in the past few weeks. Where I assumed would be animosity is now friendship, where I feared permanent personality clash is now a gracious tolerance. Beyond mere civility, we pass entire mornings cursing goats and dogs together, laughing at and with each other, and even pre-emptively missing each other imagining service after affectation. This was a hard-won peace that we all hoped for and can now all enjoy. Relief.

I officially love the boys in Rindiao. Erin got a text today explaining that Patrick had swum across the Senegalese River for booze and been administratively separated (different from ET, an admin sep is the equivalent of being fired). I was crushed. Patrick was hilarious, an asset to our class and now a tragic loss. Why in God’s name would he leave his site unauthorized, swim in shistosomaiasis (a nasty parasite that loves the Senegal River), cross a national border AND smuggle alcohol into a dry country?? So many illegal activities, so much stupidity, so early to sabotage his service. The next text Erin received released us from our horrified disappointment: April Fools. In July. Jerks. Perfectly executed and absolutely revenge worthy. Rindiao, watch your back.