Bringing it back

Barber Shop Shave

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

There was a time about a year ago when I said that I would never get a hair cut in Senegal again. One of the times I have valued most in my life has been going to get my haircut with my dad…it didn’t matter if I was going to the barber growing up in Conyers or nearly every $9.99 haircut place dotting Charlotte and Houston. Throughout 25 years of doing this, I’d have to say that a few bad haircuts have come out of these father-son bonding experiences. Well, none were as bad as my 400 CFA (80 cent) haircut last year, which is why I vowed to never get another one in Senegal.

Well, I guess I have softened up a bit over the past year. I think I may have mentioned a few months ago about getting reinstituted into the Dakar haircut scene when I needed a haircut for the Laura Bush visit. Well, since coming back from vacation, I have been back to my new favorite barber shop twice. It is run by some Cape Verdian guys and let me tell you, they do a pretty good job…actually, one or two of the best haircuts in my life.

Today, I decided to get a nice cut for an upcoming social event this weekend, but halfway through the cut, I decided to take my barbershop experience to a whole new level. I’m sitting there in the chair about to fall asleep (I find getting my haircut one of the most relaxing things) and I looked in the large mirror in front of me and thought, maybe I should get a shave here too. I was far from the 5 o’clock shadow and into 5 or 6 days without shaving.

So, after my haircut, I asked if they shaved as well, and it just must have been my lucky day. The procedure started with pulling a headrest out from the chair. Then out came a brush which was delicately used to apply shaving cream to my face. Next came the long razor blade that you’ve probably seen in movies. It was dull and rusty (only kidding, new blades are used each time). Carefully, the barber worked my face and neck, shaving it one direction. Next, shaving cream was reapplied and the barber worked the opposite direction. Afterwards, a wet cloth was put on my face in which I dozed off for a second or two. Following the cloth came what I assume was some sort of alcohol based man product because it made the skin burn a little.

Far from what a Mach 3 Turbo or other high tech razor can do, I must say, this shaving was an experience, and the results were pretty good. For any guy out there, I highly recommend, at least once in your life, going to a barber for a shave…you’ll probably keep going back.

As for the cost, for the haircut and shave, which lasted about 45 minutes, was 5,500 CFA ($11.00). That is somewhat pricey, but not unaffordable and much better than looking in a mirror knowing that you got the worst haircut of your life.

Camp ACCESS

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Much like the past month, this past week was spent away from the hospital in which I work and from gardening. Six other Volunteers and I assisted with a summer camp at 3 different high schools around Dakar. Some of you may remember from my posts last year that I participated then as well.

The camp was part of the ACCESS Program, a U.S. Embassy funded program to better equip high school students with English. In addition to attending English classes in school, the participants take an additional 6 hours of English each week through the ACCESS Program over the course of two years.

While this program is relatively new here in Senegal, the coordinators of the program have set up a summer camp each summer in which Peace Corps Volunteers have led the activities. One of the reasons for this is due to the importance of learners of English to be able to be surrounded by native English speakers. While their teachers have near flawless English, they are Senegalese themselves.

For this camp, I worked at Lycee Thioroye with two other Volunteers. For the week, we had about 45 kids, well, not really kids, they ranged in age from 18 to 21. We managed to luck out all week with no rain. We went day by day as what to do and became very flexible the more we got a feel of the situation. For the first part of the week, our activities centered around team building, leadership, and physical activity. Slowly, as the kids became more comfortable around us and even each other, we started more discussion based activities.

As I think I said last year, hearing these kids talk about issues facing them as young people and as Senegalese was incredible as well as their eagerness to learn more about the United States. For me and the other Volunteers it was moving.

These kids are Senegal’s future and have a strong desire to make it a positive one. Americans back home should be proud about programs like this. Their ability to speak English was very good and encouraging to their personal and national progress.

Weather

Sunday, August 12, 2007

One of the biggest differences between the time I left for the United States and since returning is the weather. It has gone from being mildly hot but bearable to moderately hot, humid, and rainy/flooding here in Dakar.

You stateside readers may say it can’t be that bad, with respect to the record highs facing much of the United States this summer. You are right, it is not unbearable but the difference between here and there is that a small floor fan just isn’t the same as air conditioning, an indoor job behind a desk is far different from outdoor manual labor, and from a sanitary standpoint, a flooded street in the U.S. could possibly be compared to that of Evian water instead of that found in a dirty toilet bowl.

I have always been a believer in the little things in life and how they work together to affect the larger picture. When it comes to the ability to adapt to the weather in the United States, it is the little things that we often times take for granted to make the unbearable, bearable…air conditioning in homes, offices, cars, constant electricity, well made sunglasses, smoothies, etc. One thing that I enjoy about my experience here in Senegal is to see how Senegalese handle situations and compare it to the way American’s handle it in the States.

When it comes to weather, the reliance on electricity is key in the United States. Here, while some offices and homes have air conditioning, it is far from the majority and expensive. Instead, shade structures are constructed, hand held fans, hand towels, and cold water are sold in plastic bags on the side of the street, and those with outdoor jobs often take a mid-day siesta during the hotter months. During the summer months, the power situation can be iffy at times making electronic floor fans iffy. While we always say in wolof, “Tangana trop!”, when it is hot, life goes on and doesn’t typically slow people down too much. It is not too often that the weather makes the front pages of the newspapers here in Senegal.

The one thing about the increase in temperatures here in Senegal that I really just don’t remember from last year was the amount I sweat. I am not talking about how much I may sweat outside walking around, but when I lay on my bed to take a nap or for the night. Well, anytime I wake up, I look down and my bed is literally soaked…actually, it is more like an outline of wetness of my body…its kind of neat. Just by looking at it, one may think I wet my bed a lot.

Hope you all stay cool and manage to find a pool to relax in. If you are bored and want to compare a portion of your life to that of many Senegalese, turn off your air conditioning for a week, don’t use it in your car (rolling down your windows is ok), and eat a lot of rice. Miss you all.

Once a wetter, always a wetter

Wednesday, August 1, 2008

While today was my first day back at work, it was a short one. My schedule for the next few weeks is somewhat out of whack due to other commitments, so I have decided to hold off in getting too dirty until things slow down. So, after my trip to the hospital, I decided to stop by a boutique to get a Sprite and head to the internet café like I typically have done in the past.

The minute I sit down, I open the Sprite, and it explodes all over my pants and a bit on the floor. When I say all over my pants, I really mean just over my crotch region. The place was somewhat empty, so I don’t think anyone saw the initial accident. I wasn’t too worried, I had an hour of time for the internet…plenty of time to dry.

Unfortunately, what I had yet to truly grasp was the weather changed a lot while I was away. It has become very humid and muggy, making it very difficult for things to dry indoors. My time had run up, and sure enough, there was a nice large stain on my pants. I was starting to wonder if I had actually peed in my pants or not.

I can’t say I knew what to do. It is my first real day back in Senegal and people are going to think I have a bladder problem. So, very quickly, I decided to get up and get out of the place. For about 400 yards on one of the busier sidewalks in Dakar, I am walking awkwardly with my bag being held right in front of me. I can’t say I’ve seen anyone do it since my pre-school years, and it was probably when I was looking at myself in the mirror.

Finally, after a lot of walking, getting stopped by a friend on the street, and some odd glances, I finally found a place I could change into shorts for the remainder of my trip home.

I learned three things from this incident. One, be careful opening drinks. Two, always carry a spare pair of clothes. Last, always have a close by place to change.

First Day Back to Work

Wednesday, August 1, 2008

Today was my first day back at the garden and let me tell you, it felt like first day of 3rd grade. In elementary school I remember, there would be many friends you wouldn’t see all summer, so that first day back was exciting, as well as the new outfit that typically came along with it. Well, going home to America for a month and coming back was just the same.

Little work was accomplished this first day back because I had to greet everybody, tell each of them individually how my trip home was, and apologize for not having enough space in my suitcase for them to come along. A few asked where their presents were, which was followed by a quick apology. Several people noticed that little Aziz had put on a few pounds and I must say, I was quite proud of that.

I didn’t really know what to expect coming back to the hospital and Senegal. I guess the best way for me to sum it up is that while I know it is not my home, I have now been living here longer than a lot of places I’ve lived in the past 7 years. While some things I can’t say I missed, it was nice to come back to those that I work with closely at the hospital, my host family, and my adapted host family that I teach English too. This is what it is about.

First Day Back

Tuesday, July 30, 2007

Today was my first day back in Dakar after nearly a month long vacation in the States. It was a full one as well. My plan was to get off the plane, go home to drop my bags off, and go to the garden…that didn’t happen.

My flight into Dakar ended up being late by about an hour. We sat on the tarmac in Atlanta for about an hour and a half due to weather and because they “wanted to wait for the last few pieces of luggage to be loaded.” This stuff happens, not a problem. It is an all night flight and can’t say it is inconveniencing me one bit.

So we get into Dakar around 6 or 6:30. About 20 people got off the plane with the remainder going on to South Africa. Going through customs was a breeze. Next up, baggage claim.

The only people waiting for luggage are the few from the flight I was on. While the Dakar airport is an international airport and major transportation hub for West Africa, it does not have a high volume in traffic, especially this morning. After about 5 minutes, the bags start coming through. I spot one of mine which is soaking wet, apparently due to the conditions in Atlanta, and then I wait and wait. There is myself and another gentleman. I realized at that point that while the plane was waiting for more luggage in Atlanta, one of those pieces was not mine. Its weird though because the bag I did get had been checked by Homeland Security. Who knows.

I have heard horror stories from friends about lost luggage so I was a bit concerned. I went to an office in the bowels of the airport and submitted a lost baggage form. Fortunately, I got great customer service. (The next day, I ended up getting 4 phone calls (I was asleep for the first 3), letting me know my bag had arrived. I picked it up and it was being kept in a locked room away from the 100s of bags just sitting there. I must say that I had a great lost bag experience.)

So after the airport, I walked out of the airport grounds, glad I don’t have all 130 pounds worth of luggage, to get a cab. The drivers on the grounds are sharks. I did meet a guy who tried to just jump in the cab with me and go to my neighborhood. I don’t know why, but it was very shady, and I managed to give him no option but get out.

Pretty much exhausted, I got home with it starting to rain. Parts of my neighborhood were already flooded from rains the previous few days. I greeted my mom with open arms and went to my room to take a nap. While there were a lot of things I needed to do, they had to wait, this kid needed a blankie and a nap.

A few hours later, I managed to get the sleepy out of my eyes and head downtown. I had several things on my agenda, but didn’t know how much I would get done. My first stop was the Peace Corps office. I needed to check my mail and drop off some health forms. It was funny. I knew a package was coming for me ever since February and well, 5 months later, it arrived. The system may not be perfect, but at least it works. Afterwards, I decided to go to my new Cape Verdian haircut place for a trim. They give some of the best feeling haircuts I’ve ever had. So I go only to find out that the power is out and their generator is being fixed, so no haircut. Very typical here in Senegal. After my unsuccessful haircut experience, I head to find a bookshelf. My room/house is getting crowded and I need to make space, so a bookshelf was my best option. I go to about 5 places and either they didn’t have them or wanted more money that poor Aziz has.

By that time, I was exhausted and managed to make it back to the neighborhood. While it wasn’t the most successful day, it was a good day to get me re-acclimated to life in Senegal.

Trip Home - Frequently Asked Questions

Tuesday, July 30, 2007

While I was home in the States, there were a few questions I was always asked, so I figured I would take some time and answer them now.

When are you finished with the Peace Corps?

While I have not decided the exact date, it will probably be between April 15, 2008 and June 15, 2008. A lot of this will depend on what projects I have going on early next year and what stage they are in, job offers, and if there is a need for me here.

What are you going to do when you get done with Peace Corps?

While I wish I could give you a straightforward answer, I can’t, nor can I predict the future. In several ways, I am torn with trying to decide my next step but one I think about everyday. Since going to college, it seems I have always done something alittle different, whether it was going to UGA for college, going to work in Pennsylvania for 3 summers, or even joining the Peace Corps. Living in one place all my life is not something I truly want, but at times, I do envy it. Being on the go and doing something a little different all the time can wear you down. So, I am trying to decide if I want to focus my job search in Atlanta or go anywhere in the world. I just don’t know yet. Ideally, I’d like to live in Atlanta but work internationally. While I am still young, I am somewhat ready to live in a place, hopefully the developed world for some time in which I can settle down.

When it comes to what I want to do, I want to have a job that meshes well with my passions and interests but also provide a salary that I can live off of comfortably. Some people have jobs just for financial reasons and that is their only prerogative. Others have jobs just based off their passions and don’t care about money. I am hoping to have a job somewhat down the middle. As to what that job is, I am looking at ones in the international business arena as well as some companies that I believe would be enjoyable environments to work at.

While I say all this, my next step will probably be to a place somewhat different with a job that I will hopefully enjoy and can live off of. Basically, I don’t know for certain, but have ideas, and know I want to be happy.

I’m sure this isn’t the best response, primarily because I am holding back a few thoughts. As to why, my interests span several sectors and getting into details only clouds things at this time.

Hopefully this time next year I can give you a concrete answer.

Was it hard coming back to the States?

Not at all. I do not know if it was because I live in a city where I have modern conveniences, stay in contact with many family and friends back home, read several American newspapers almost daily, possibly just have an ability to adapt easily, or a list of other reasons I can’t think of.

Do you think it will be hard to go back to Senegal?

No. Realize that this is something I signed up and committed myself too. I have no option but to go back.

It turned out it was a little tougher than I thought to get readjusted but not detrimental.

Just wanted to let eveyone know I made it back to Senegal. The rains have begun in Dakar, meaning a longer commute to work, flooded streets, and a leaky roof. I hope to have a few posts written and put up in the coming days.