Contrary to some understandings of Peace Corps, we do get a fair amount of vacation time for our 2 years of service. Thankfully, as being in country does get tedious as the newness wears off and the nostalgia for home kicks in. I am choosing not to go home during my 2 years, though many volunteers do fit a trip into the states during their service (especially those on the east coast, it's only 8 hours to Dakar). Luckily, the parents and I had an opportunity to meet up in Spain for 2 weeks, and I tacked on another week in London with some friends. (This vacations was slyly timed during Ramadan, as village life dies down quite a bit during this time, though I did fit in one last day of fasting with my community upon my return.) My escape into the western world was incredible. Seeing my parents for the first time in 17 months was amazing. Spain was beautiful and delicious, and fairly reminiscent of the California countryside, and wine country, that I miss so much. London was too fun, the city would have won me over but seeing some good old friends really sealed the deal.
However, coming back to Senegal was both exciting and difficult. I was happy to get back to the life I've established here, but also thoroughly unsure how I'd deal with readjusting back to the quality of life... Going back to first world luxuries is easy enough, even despite my new perspective, but my first bucket bath back in village was a less pleasant reunion. It's taken some time, but after the memories of delicious food and comforts wane I'm finding my place more easily back in Senegal. Vacation was a nice reminder of the world out there and what awaits in the future, but I'm getting myself back on the horse cart (literally) and getting back into village life.
