Whew! This week and next, we'll be analyzing our survey data on solar oven use. It's been a challenging but satisfying process- inputting rows upon rows of field data into spreadsheets, double checking, and using the magical and awesome powers of SPSS to perform statistical functions. These tasks were made manageable by splitting it up between the three of us on the project. At the same time, I've been trying to take advantage of my last days here (I'll be leaving for NYC on the night of Aug. 27th, early morning the 28th). Our field work in Casamance was topped off with touring and was a nice change of scenery. Now, I'm polishing off my days in front of the computer with nights eating grilled fish on the beach with friends and trying to get healthy amounts of sleep.

I feel sad and happy about leaving. I think it really hit me last night in my sleep that I'll soon be facing the unpleasant but really interesting experience of re-orientation culture shock. I put my mind at ease by imagining myself reunited with the one super-sized American product that I truly miss: soft-serve, chocolate ice cream cones. Oh, America, the beautiful!