Tid-bits of Dakar

Our lovely tree and my host sister playing on our swing.

Just a bit of silliness really - I was laying on my bed and this is what I see out of my door

My bed.

Me on the second night - I have bronzed A LOT since this picture.

Before I get to that goat sacrifice I feel the need to share some tid-bits of randomness with you. Although there is definitely a routine in life here, NO DAY IS EVER THE SAME as another day.

• The first time I used the bathroom at my house I got stuck inside of it. I could not open the door. I stood inside panicking, racking my brain on how I was going to shout or explain in French that I was locked in. I was so scared because there is only a key from the inside. Eventually while I was fidgeting with the lock someone yanked open the door. Thank you Pape (hosty-pop). While chuckling he animatedly explained that I simple needed to use a little gerth when opening it.
• I do not chew my food. Well, that is a partial lie. I do not chew the meat I eat… I swallow it. I know, it is terrible but... I can't chew it, I will gag. There is simply tooooooo much meat. It is especially difficult for me when I do not know what type of meat I am eating or that the sheep lying in front of me in delicious sauce had been standing next to me breathing the same air 4 hours earlier. However, I would say I am doing really well for a vegetarian of over 5 years before this trip.
• I love the night life here – I also did not know that it was humanly possible for men to move their bodies the way they do here! Ha ha ha!! It is fantastic to watch.
• Sometimes random women ask me if I need my clothes washed. I used to be slightly confused but figured out that they offer to wash them assuming to be paid if they do; it is job they are asking for. Women ask many people here because money and work are a struggle to find so here Americans, Europeans, or most anyone are great people to ask. I politely decline.
• Fanta and Coca Cola here are the best! No high-fructose corn syrup? Yes please.
• Sometimes people who visit Africa during the rainy season get terrible allergies... I am one of those people.
• I was taking a late night walk with friends and saw the first homeless child sleeping in the bushes. His pillow as a large empty tomato sauce can. The image broke my heart; I wanted to go put his head in my lap and take away the loneliness that was exuding from his sleeping body.
• The flavor or the food here is incredible! Delicious! I am served sauteed onions basically every day and I cannot get enough of them. The food dishes all have rich seasonings and are delightful... as you can tell, the meat is just a little difficult for me to handle.
• A social norm with taxis is that the drivers sometimes make noises, "pss, pss" out of the window or honk if they are available. Being a white girl, EVERY single taxi honks at me if not once, then twice. During orientation sessions we discussed how there are definitely other intentions for some of the honking...
• I secretly have dance parties in bed under my mosquito net – my family has no idea I can actually dance :)
• My host father is a HUGE TALKER. One of the ways I discovered that I am part of the family are my non-verbal interaction with my siblings. The kids are constantly motioning to me when our dad is BS-ing.They motion behind his back when he is wrong or lying. It is hilarious; he is innocently talkin’ it up but it is fantastic when the kids stick their little finger out and wiggle it back it forth at me while he is still talking – it is incredibly difficult for us not to bust-out in laughter in front of him. Words are most definitely not always needed in life.
• I have conversations with random people in the streets every day. A huge cultural aspect of daily life is the greeting exchange. It is very important to say hello and greet people in Wolof, taking the time to ask how they are as well as ask about their family. I talk to random men and women most everyday; because I am obviously limited in speaking the Wolof language, once the Wolof exchange is finished we chat a bit in French. It is wonderful language practice and I feel great after most conversations because the people here are genuinely interested in speaking to me.
• I did not believe the people at the Center when they told us that physical affection, as in a smack or punch in the arm or a nuggy or head pat can create a bond with family members… well… they were correct. I have punched my brothers a few times in the arm and now they talk to me a heck of a lot more. I am more of the loving type though so usually I pat them on the head or do fake nuggies.
• There are patches of sand everywhere here. There are also piles and piles and piles of shells in random places. I mean Dakar is a small peninsula but I do not live near the beach and my house is surrounded by sand.
• I am in hip-hop, R&B, and RAP heaven. The consistent dance beats in my mind help keep a happy heart.
  
• I hand wash all of my undergarments – I find it quite enjoyable.

That is all for now. Loves.