I guess its about time I write an update on the past few weeks. I was away for IST/AVC (In Service Training and All Volunteer Conference for those of you who have yet to figure out the Peace Corps Acronyms) for a week and then in Fogo. IST seemed more like a brainstorming to help with the future PST than actual training to benefit us at our sites. But it was really nice to see everyone and have a little break from site.

I spent the past week on vacation in Fogo and had an excellent time. Fogo is beautiful and I was so excited to finally see the volcano. I arrived on Wednesday and was met at the airport by one of my friends. We walked around Sao Filipe for a bit, grabbed some breakfast and I got in a car to head up to Cha das Caldeiras to visit my primo and climb the volcano. Another volunteer was up there visiting so the three of us hung out a bit, climbed the “active” volcano, which by the way is not the huge one you see in all the pictures and drank the infamous home made Manicon wine. Thursday we arose really early and set out to climb the big volcano, the highest point in West Africa. After not having been on a hill like area for the past 6 months, climbing the volcano was quite a challenge. But I made it to the top and I was dreading having to climb back down. But the way down was the best part. Once we got past the rockyness towards the top of the volcano you come to these small pebble like rocks that you basically walk down the entire rest of the way. I imagine its kind of like walking on the moon. Well, at least that’s what I was thinking while I descended the volcano. It was great. That afternoon my friend that came to the airport came up to Cha and we hung out, napped, and went to drink Manicon and listen to music.

Friday, we went down to Cova Figuera to see her site. We got a ride part way towards her house and then with the lack of transportation, walked about 2 hours to her town. We met her families who were so friendly and then picked up eggs to dye for Easter. To keep in the holiday spirit, we made Matzo Ball soup for dinner.

Saturday, we walked to Mosteiros to visit other volunteers. We walked pretty much the entire way which was another 3 ½ hour walk. As tired as my feet were, it was such an incredible view, there’s all this lava flow left over from previous volcanos and you can just see how it flowed. Its really neat to see how people just built over it. This probably makes no sense but I don’t really know how to explain it adequately. I was so excited to see that Mosteiros had sunflowers! I got a tour of the town from one of the volunteers that lives there and then we headed up the road to lunch with his roommate and a Nigerian friend of theirs.

We walked back in the afternoon, fearing the lack of transportation, and went on more house visits.

Sunday, I slept in and got a little work done while my friend went to church. In the afternoon we walked to a town close to hers to visit some of her colleagues.

I came back from Fogo with a bug bite that managed to make my entire hand swell up. So for the past few days I’ve been drugged up on Benadryl. My hand is finally back to normal and I can start back up to work.