After a great weekend at the beach, I am now phoneless. Early this morning, I tripped over a rock on the beach and fell into the ocean. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem, but this time it was, since my phone got wet. Currently, the SIM card and battery work, but not the phone. Hopefully tomorrow will be a new day. If not, I'll try and have a new phone (will have same number) in the beginning of September.
Hope everyone is doing well. Miss all of yall a lot.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
I just wanted to let everyone know that I will be heading to Thies tomorrow morning for three weeks of In-Service Training (IST). I should be returning to Dakar in early September. My internet time will be limited and the likelihood that I update this site during this time is slim. I even plan to leave my laptop in Dakar. Hopefully, I will have some pictures for you by the end of IST.
Also, while I picked up five birthday packages of mine from the Peace Corps office this week (some were mailed in mid-June), there are a few that are still MIA that I know of. I do not know why it is taking my packages so long to get here (letters still taking about 2 weeks or so). Hopefully, by the time I return from IST, they will all be waiting at the PC office. Thank you to everyone who sent a letter or package, it has been nice to have a mid-July birthday in August and September. Yall are great.
Thanks again for all of your support during the past five months I have been in Senegal. I can’t believe it has been that long…only a year and 8/9 months left.
Sunday, August 5, 2006
This week is going to be far different from the past two and a half months. I am going to be working at the ACCESS Summer Camp put on by the ESL (English as a Second Language) Program at the US Embassy. The camp corresponds with the ACCESS program that the high school students are involved in.
There are three camps going on across Dakar at various high schools. I will be working at one about a mile and a half from my house, so it will be nice to do some work in my neighborhood. Also, there are thirty kids attending the camp that I will be assisting. Along with myself, there will be another PCV and two ACCESS teachers.
Because it is an English language learning program, the purpose of the camp is to help the kids utilize their English skills, but also gain a better understanding about the United States. On the agenda:
First, we are hoping to discuss American geography, values/beliefs, and history all with an emphasis on diversity. The reason for the focus on diversity is to show that the US is not just a single entity, as many here believe, but far grander. In this segment of the camp, we are also hoping to discuss pop culture. I probably won’t be doing any dancing, but the plan is to show the evolution of American music and its origins.
Second, play games such as capture the flag, kick ball, Scrabble, and ultimate Frisbee.
Third, some sort of hula hoop thing. I don’t know what its about, but some American “specialists” have volunteered their time to come for the day and do their thing.
Fourth, critical thinking discussion.
Fifth, some sort of gender role discussion/talk/game.
Sixth, a field trip
Well, that is what I will be doing every morning between Monday and Saturday. It is far from the camp dynamics and lifestyle that could be found at Westmont, but it will be a nice change of pace and a good way to interact with people here. It should be interesting.
Saturday, August 4, 2006
So I have a new buddy. He is a street vendor that I pass everyday going and leaving the hospital. Typically everything he sells, from fruits, snacks, to drinks, are overpriced…typically by 50 CFA or 10 cents…basically a lot of money. I told him awhile back that I refused to pay 350 CFA for his .5 little Cokes when I could go to any other boutique and buy it for 300 CFA. You gotta be a bargain hunter. I won the battle.
Anytime I pass, whether I’m buying anything or not, I always ask what’s up. Well, this week, I was invited to sit down and have tea with my street vendor buddy and a few other folks. Tea in Senegal is far different from that in the States and is also a time for conversation. I ended up sitting there for nearly two hours hanging out. It was awesome. I was told that I needed a Senegalese girlfriend if not 4 or 5 (which might be cool in some sort of fantasy don’t get me wrong), but they just didn’t understand my preference for American girls. Also, during out conversation we discussed a lot about the United States. People are always curious. It is always cool to hear what people’s perceptions are and how often times they are very flawed…I am always amazed.
Throughout the tea time, I opened my Wolof notebook for the first time in two and a half months. What was great was that they were so nice, understanding, and willing to help me with my Wolof. Learning a language for me has never been easy for me, so being in a positive situation to learn it is great. Also, learning Wolof on the streets of Dakar is far better than in a classroom setting. This is like the wild wild west, people don’t always talk as it is written in a text book.
Needless to say, I’ve stopped back by to hang out with my new friends a few times this week. I feel that this is a step in the right direction not only for my language learning but also in feeling more comfortable in the city I live in. I have even done some selling of some goods.
It is weird, but because I stand out here, people typically remember who I am. I feel bad because I am terrible with names, especially Senegalese ones, and here I am bad about recognizing people that I have met (even briefly), but I have learned how to play that off. It is crazy though now because I will be in the area surrounding the hospital and people will be calling me by my name or even stop me on the street. It is really kinda cool.
Things are starting to come together…Inchallah!
Thursday, August 3, 2006
I don’t know what it was, but for some reason, all the people asking/wanting money from me today got to me. Everyday, I’d average between 25 and 50 people ask/want money from me in some way. It was no different than any other day, so I don’t know why I let it bother me, but I guess it just gets old sometimes.
It is a weird, double edged sword situation Peace Corps volunteers are in here, and a tough one to say the least. It does not matter what sacrifices you made to come here or your desire to assist the people of Senegal, it will never be enough…some people just want your money. It is a frustrating situation.
It is frustrating in many capacities. First, a lot of people in Dakar are poor, in a way far different from that found back home. There is a problem with poverty, unemployment, and lack of money in the system. With the facts at hand, it is difficult not to feel bad for those who have difficulty helping themselves. I would probably be doing the same thing if I were forced too. Unfortunately, some are not trying to help themselves, which makes it even more frustrating. It is also difficult to see people who you are close to, know they work hard, yet still have no chance to make ends meat. You could say that this is life, which is true, but we have it so lucky back in the States. That is one thing that I have learned immensely the past 5 and a half months. Second, every time I get asked for money I always say “beneen yoon” or “another time”. It is the proper way to respond to these requests. If I continually get asked or pestered by the same person, I say “Amuma xalis leggi” or “I don’t have any money right now”. This is where the frustration comes in. If you say this, they will laugh and say that you are white, American, and have money, regardless of how many times you say you are a Peace Corps volunteer. It stinks because they are partially right, especially when it comes to their situation. It also stinks to always wonder what the next person wants from you…it makes you very cautious. Third, what is giving 10 CFA to one person going to do? Probably nothing. From my point of view, it is not a sustainable practice. It is not why I’m here.
Wednesday, August 2, 2006
I got kinda excited tonight. I had heard a rumor several weeks ago about the BBC World Service Radio network being in Dakar. After a few unsuccessful, yet haste attempts to find it, I gave up, turned on my IPOD, and put it into the pile of other rumors I’ve heard. Attempts to locate Oreos, Gatorade, and Miller Lite have all proven to be unsuccessful
Well, tonight I came across the English speaking news service that I had so long ago heard about, but crazy accents they have. Following current events here can be somewhat difficult, so it was a nice relief to come across it. Normally, during every trip to the Internet, I try to briefly catch up on events covered in the headlines of the USA Today, AJC, and Charlotte Observer, but because time is limited, the only true current events news I’m following in detail surround the Bulldogs. Every once in awhile I’ll catch up on my celebrity news so I can stay current as well...I mean you gotta know about Katie and Tom's secret wedding or when Angelina is gonna come to Senegal.
Needless to say, I have gotten caught up on world events tonight and even got to hear part of Bush’s radio address. I kinda feel like I’m back in the States now.
Monday, July 31, 2006
One thing that I have done in my down time is read. Whether I am in my room/house or at the pool or beach, I typically have a book or my IPOD with me. I don’t know why, but I guess it is nice to read or hear stuff in English. It is weird because there was a span of time that I didn’t read a book for a few years, with the exception of my textbooks that is. I figured I’d jot down what I have read over the past 4 and a half months here. Most were good, but a couple were terrible. I wish they had a Pizza Hut Book It Club here...yet alone a Pizza Hut.
Character: Presidential Profiles
The Water is Wide (Pat Conroy)
Condi: The Condelleza Rice Story (Antonia Felix)
All the Best (George Bush)
Into the Wild (Jon Krakauer)
Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors (Piers Paul Read)
Seabiscut: An American Legend (Laura Hillenbrand)
The Flanders Panel (Arturo Perez-Reverte)
Friday Night Lights (H.G. Bissinger)
Confessions of an Economic Hit Man (John Perkins)
They Call Me Coach (John Wooden)
American Bashkir Intercollege Camp Handbook (ELO Moscow)
All Fisherman Are Liars (Linda Greenlaw)
I’ve got a few books that are in the line up to read soon: The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinback), To Kill a Mokingbird (Harper Lee), Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight (Alexandra Fuller), Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand), and Along Came a Spider (James Patterson).
