3.16.2008

Getting The Heck Out of Dodge

Since my previous journal entry Ive found several new projects to start working on, 40 new volunteers have arrived in country to start their service and are now in training and I celebrated my six month anniversary of arriving in Senegal on March 13. I cant believe how fast the time goes by, its been six months since I left the USA. This is the longest I have ever been away from home. Reaching this milemark makes you reflect on the time youve spent in country and Im happy. Im happy to be living in Senegal, I like my job, I like my friends, I like my town, in spite of its goofy name.

Now that Ive been here so long, its time for a vacation. I am the first person of the 38 volunteers I came in with to leave the country and I leave Wednesday to visit the boy in England for two weeks as well as see my parents for their week long vacation. I could not be more excited. In preparation for the trip I had fudin done, which is Senegalese henna, on my hands and feet. You can have orange or black and so now my hands and feet are black with various designs. Pictures to follow when I get my camera back next week. I like it; the Senegalese love it. Yesterday at the garage when I was catching a bus, random strangers kept walking up and grabbing my hands to admire the work. They look at it and clap their hands together and tell me that now I am Senegalese. Apparantly its that easy. A white person with Senegalese henna, its wonderful. I also had two little girls ask me for my henna. I am used to being asked for things here, but this seemed an odd request. I offered them my right hand and they giggled, I guess they were joking? I am still trying to figure the Senegalese sense of humor out. It may take the next eighteen months. Maybe I will never figure it out?

3.07.2008

My (Mona's) Big Fat Senegalese Wedding

Maimouna, one of my friends here, is getting married tomorrow. Senegalese weddings all tend to be the same, and so I anticipate sitting around in plastic chairs being served amazing food, drinking tea and listening to music thats been turned up just one notch too loud. Two nights ago Fatou, Maimouna and I went around to lots of houses in the neighborhood inviting people. We walkted into a given compound, greeted everyone , mentioned the wedding on saturday, and then left. This is very un-Senegalese where everyone stays to talk , but I guess the protocol is a little different when weddings are concerned? I couldnt help but think of all the American couples who waste so much time and effort picking the perfect invitations, addressing them and sending them out months in advance and how much simpler this is. As I recall, everyone is coming, inshallah, or godwilling. Tomorrow morning I will get up early, put on my Senegalese complete, or skirt and top, and spend the whole day sitting and talking with my neighbors. Six months into service this task does not seem nearly so daunting as it did when I first got here and couldnt talk to anyone and didnt know what to expect. I am beginning to figure this out.