I Love 'Merica.

In case you were only following my blog and did not see me, I actually did make it out of Peru and back to the US on my way to the Gambia, West Africa. Unfortunately during my whirlwind tour of the States, I did not take the time to blog and I hope it does not take you by surprise to hear that I am leaving for Africa in under twenty four hours.

Yes, you heard right. I am leaving this beautiful country with its McDonalds and Papa John's and sushi and hotdogs, with its indoor heat and hot showers and clean bathrooms and carpet, to go work as an agri-business volunteer in the Gambia.

To prepare, I did everything American. I ate disgusting quantities of fast food followed with my mom's amazing cooking and several visits to sushi and Vietnamese restaurants on the side. I went to a political rally. I celebrated my sister's 21st birthday and my own twenty-something birthday. I shopped, I clubbed, I partied, I sang, I learned all the new hip-hop and battled young bucks. I went to a party to welcome my brother back from his three month long motorcycle ride. I crashed friend's houses and invited people over, I learned to play guitar and drums after first learning what exactly Rockband was. I saw all my best friends (minus Viet), and even got to hang out with a fellow B46 volunteer. Add into that several tall iced caramel machiattos from Starbucks and my never-ending reveling in the fresh scent of public bathrooms and the soft feel of toilet paper and my US visit is complete.

Wish me the best as I embark on travels to a post with no electricity, no running water, no internet and no cell phone. If you would like to send me letters, I can receive them at the following address:

Tammy Truong PCV
US Peace Corps

PO Box 582

Banjul, The Gambia

West Africa

And yes, the rumors are true. I cut off all my hair in preparation for bucket baths in the Gambia. Locks of Love now has the hair I had and I now wake up with major bed head. But it doesn't matter when you don't have a mirror!