What's in a life?

As Peace Corps Volunteers we work under three goals.  The first is the most quantifiable but the second and third are more about the exchange of culture, ideas, and language that we have with host country nationals.  So much of my time is spent talking with people in my village and around Senegal about everything and anything.  The following is by no means a complete list of things I have discussed.  These conversations happen in Bambara and so often the exact translations and sense of words do not come across, but I do my best.

Living off the grid (in Vermont).  Acne and other skin issues including but not limited to, sunburns, heat rash, and bug bites.  The moon and the stars, yes we have them in America too.  Trees, our trees are not the same as here in Botou but we have lots of trees.  Why my mother is "so old".  Cows, donkeys, horses, goats, sheep, and chicken can all be found in America.  The difference in development between America and Senegal as it relates to our respective independence dates.  Farming, and how we do it in America and how we used to do it in America.  Industrialization.  Skyping and the fact that I can see my parents and friends as well as talk to them.  Looking something up on the internet i.e. googling, particularly Senegalese holidays.  Meteorology and what weather prediction people do.  The fact that our milk generally comes in liquid form, not powder.  Why I'm still not married and why I will not get married in Senegal.  Why people in America have fewer kids than the Senegalese (I tell them that it is expensive to have lots of kids in America).  Obama and how Obama essentially paid for me to come and work here (it is the simplest explanation I can give for how I came to Senegal without paying any money directly myself (for the ticket and visa).  The war in Yemen.  British/Gambian English versus American English (Where does American English come from they ask?) My father's profession (I describe it as a doctor for people who are sick in their heads).  The fact that we get wood on horse drawn carts too (West Braintree).  Villages in America and their similarities and differences between villages in Senegal.  Starting a Bambara language school in the U.S.  Reading for pleasure.  Married couples in the Peace Corps.  People early terminating their service.  The fact that I play the saxophone.  Swimming.  Mountains and hiking up mountains.

This is obviously not a complete list but this should give you an idea of what people ask me about.  If you have any things you think might be interesting to discuss, feel free to let me know.