there are so many homeless animals in Senegal,
but this kitten knows how to live it up!
my brother...being retarded. :D
From left to right;
a very crazy lady from Maracco, my host mother, and me.
My new best friend!
Toubab Dialow
Friday, September 26, 2008
pictures
there are so many homeless animals in Senegal,
but this kitten knows how to live it up!
my brother...being retarded. :D
From left to right;
a very crazy lady from Maracco, my host mother, and me.
My new best friend!
Toubab Dialow
leggi leggi
Hii all! (leggi leggi meaning "now now" in wolof which is translated to see you later)
Sorry it has taken me awhile to write, there has been so much going on. Since we have fall break starting weds of this week, all our professors are having us turn things in and take test before we all vacation for two weeks. And on top of that I have been a little sick. I went to the doctor the other day and she said it’s the heat (that’s the answer to EVERY problem here) and that I’m dehydrated and I have low blood pressure, so I’m taking a bunch of pills…. but I feel better, so I’m not complaining. I am pretty proud of myself because I made my first doctors appointment in Africa all by myself in French!! I am very lucky to have my host brother, Pape, he comes and checks up on me every couple hours to make sure my temperatures not too high and that I’m doing ok. He took me to the doctor the other day and then to the pharmacy, he is definitely an angel.
Last weekend we (the exchange program) all went to Toubab Dialow, which, if you EVER go to Senegal, you NEED to go there. There’s an amazing resort there where we stayed. A very “honeymoon” type of atmosphere, hammocks hanging everywhere, a beautiful private beach, and the rooms where we stayed we very cute with misquote nets hanging over the beds and simple showers in every room. It was indeed very relaxing, just what we all needed.
Many students are going on various trips over the break but I plan on visiting some very nice beaches here in the area and work on this amazing tan of mine!
My host mother had a religious ceremony last weekend. It was pretty intense; there were many religious leaders there. A couple years ago her husband and son passed away and ever since then, they have had this ceremony every year. It started at 11pm and lasted tell 5 in the morning. With speakers, worshiping and a lot of loud noises, of course in a language I didn’t understand. After some people were starting to cry very heavily and fall to the ground, my brother decided it was time for me to go to bed. I was quite excited that he made that decision for me, because I didn’t have any idea of what to do after my host mother fell to the ground thanking god hysterically. I felt I was a little out of my comfort zone but after a couple of days my host mother and I started to laugh about it. I told her that she could probably do the “superman” dance pretty well if she tried it! She thought that was hilarious and now every time she says “thanks be to God” in Arabic she puts her hands in the air and whispers “superman” to me! Lol. Hahahaaa. She is quite the character. She just recently got air conditioning in her bedroom and let me tell you, I don’t think I have ever been so jealous! Just kidding, now I make up excuses to go into the living room and relax in the air conditioning, (even if it’s trying to understand an Arabic Islamic television station) hahaa. But unfortunately, at my host mothers grand party the other night, someone decided to take off with my favorite pair of flip flops. I’m still in the process of finding the culprit but until then, I have found other means of transportation.
"leggi leggi" Until next time,
Mariah
Sorry it has taken me awhile to write, there has been so much going on. Since we have fall break starting weds of this week, all our professors are having us turn things in and take test before we all vacation for two weeks. And on top of that I have been a little sick. I went to the doctor the other day and she said it’s the heat (that’s the answer to EVERY problem here) and that I’m dehydrated and I have low blood pressure, so I’m taking a bunch of pills…. but I feel better, so I’m not complaining. I am pretty proud of myself because I made my first doctors appointment in Africa all by myself in French!! I am very lucky to have my host brother, Pape, he comes and checks up on me every couple hours to make sure my temperatures not too high and that I’m doing ok. He took me to the doctor the other day and then to the pharmacy, he is definitely an angel.
Last weekend we (the exchange program) all went to Toubab Dialow, which, if you EVER go to Senegal, you NEED to go there. There’s an amazing resort there where we stayed. A very “honeymoon” type of atmosphere, hammocks hanging everywhere, a beautiful private beach, and the rooms where we stayed we very cute with misquote nets hanging over the beds and simple showers in every room. It was indeed very relaxing, just what we all needed.
Many students are going on various trips over the break but I plan on visiting some very nice beaches here in the area and work on this amazing tan of mine!
My host mother had a religious ceremony last weekend. It was pretty intense; there were many religious leaders there. A couple years ago her husband and son passed away and ever since then, they have had this ceremony every year. It started at 11pm and lasted tell 5 in the morning. With speakers, worshiping and a lot of loud noises, of course in a language I didn’t understand. After some people were starting to cry very heavily and fall to the ground, my brother decided it was time for me to go to bed. I was quite excited that he made that decision for me, because I didn’t have any idea of what to do after my host mother fell to the ground thanking god hysterically. I felt I was a little out of my comfort zone but after a couple of days my host mother and I started to laugh about it. I told her that she could probably do the “superman” dance pretty well if she tried it! She thought that was hilarious and now every time she says “thanks be to God” in Arabic she puts her hands in the air and whispers “superman” to me! Lol. Hahahaaa. She is quite the character. She just recently got air conditioning in her bedroom and let me tell you, I don’t think I have ever been so jealous! Just kidding, now I make up excuses to go into the living room and relax in the air conditioning, (even if it’s trying to understand an Arabic Islamic television station) hahaa. But unfortunately, at my host mothers grand party the other night, someone decided to take off with my favorite pair of flip flops. I’m still in the process of finding the culprit but until then, I have found other means of transportation.
"leggi leggi" Until next time,
Mariah
*the picture is of me and my brother at my host mother's religious ceremony.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Alhumdulilah
On Sunday, we went to Goree’ Island which is right off the coast of Dakar. It was about a 15 minute ferry ride to the Island. This Island had so much information and historical artifacts on the Slave trade from Senegal. We went inside the Slave House on the island, it was incredible! There is a door that opens from the slave house to the ocean and it’s called, “the door of no return”. This is because when the slaves left that door onto the ships, they would never return to Africa ever again. We also walked around the gorgeous island and I swam at the beach for a good couple hours, I am really getting a beautiful tan here! We played Frisbee in the water and jumped off the docks. It was a good little get away and the ferry ride is only 1500 CFAs/ about 3 dollars! I’m sure we will all be back at least a couple times this semester!
I’m starting to miss little things of home, like peanut butter, Chipotle trips, my roommates, CLU, and my family. But I realized that I am making good friends here with the other students of the program and the locals! Now when I walk around in my neighborhood the people say “Hi Toubab” which means “ hi white person” in Wolof! Last night I went with my host mother to an Islamic musical dance prayer gathering. It was definitely and experience, women on one side of someone’s roof and men on the other and I was fully clothed with a veil. My mother was really happy that I volunteered to go with her and some of her friends, it definitely made her day. I was glad to make her happy. Even though I had no idea what they were saying because the ceremony was in Wolof, I understood how faithful my host mother is. She is very happy that I’m such an open minded person and she is too, it helps us both understand each other and each other’s religion.
Something interesting, our bedroom door has this gross looking yellow fungus growing out of it. Don’t worry, I googled it, and it’s not harmful but it just looks very disturbing, even our maid, Maryam wouldn’t go near it… and when a local wont touch it… you don’t go NEAR it. But the most important thing I have learned in Africa is, “en Afrique, c’est pas grave” translated- in Africa, it doesn’t matter or it’s alllll good! Being here has taught me to be very easy going to many unexpected difficulties that will come into your path, like power outages which happen probably 3-5 times in a day, flies, mosquitoes and bugs that you’ve never seen in your life, mold growing in places you wouldn’t expect, and just unexpected happenings. I have a weird “burn” looking thing on my hand, don’t know where it came from… maybe the yellow fungus? Ha! Just kidding… it’s probably the heat and the humidity! Don’t worry though… I’m insured!
Life is good. Life is different. Life is complicated. But I’m still being the crazy little Mariah in Africa, and people are giving me the same weird looks as they would in the states. People aren’t as different as some seem to think. I don’t have classes on Fridays but I’m starting to volunteer at many different places. Well that’s all I have for now but I’m sure this weekend will bring some stories!
Today is September 11th as most of you may know. There’s a weird feeling among some of the students here, because in the past seven years we never spent this day abroad and there are always memorials or something in the states for today, but here… nothing.
Just remember…. “c’est pas grave” for the difficult or misunderstanding times, because as i have learned in Africa, life could be so much worse.
Love,
Diare'
(my senegalese name)
I’m starting to miss little things of home, like peanut butter, Chipotle trips, my roommates, CLU, and my family. But I realized that I am making good friends here with the other students of the program and the locals! Now when I walk around in my neighborhood the people say “Hi Toubab” which means “ hi white person” in Wolof! Last night I went with my host mother to an Islamic musical dance prayer gathering. It was definitely and experience, women on one side of someone’s roof and men on the other and I was fully clothed with a veil. My mother was really happy that I volunteered to go with her and some of her friends, it definitely made her day. I was glad to make her happy. Even though I had no idea what they were saying because the ceremony was in Wolof, I understood how faithful my host mother is. She is very happy that I’m such an open minded person and she is too, it helps us both understand each other and each other’s religion.
Something interesting, our bedroom door has this gross looking yellow fungus growing out of it. Don’t worry, I googled it, and it’s not harmful but it just looks very disturbing, even our maid, Maryam wouldn’t go near it… and when a local wont touch it… you don’t go NEAR it. But the most important thing I have learned in Africa is, “en Afrique, c’est pas grave” translated- in Africa, it doesn’t matter or it’s alllll good! Being here has taught me to be very easy going to many unexpected difficulties that will come into your path, like power outages which happen probably 3-5 times in a day, flies, mosquitoes and bugs that you’ve never seen in your life, mold growing in places you wouldn’t expect, and just unexpected happenings. I have a weird “burn” looking thing on my hand, don’t know where it came from… maybe the yellow fungus? Ha! Just kidding… it’s probably the heat and the humidity! Don’t worry though… I’m insured!
Life is good. Life is different. Life is complicated. But I’m still being the crazy little Mariah in Africa, and people are giving me the same weird looks as they would in the states. People aren’t as different as some seem to think. I don’t have classes on Fridays but I’m starting to volunteer at many different places. Well that’s all I have for now but I’m sure this weekend will bring some stories!
Today is September 11th as most of you may know. There’s a weird feeling among some of the students here, because in the past seven years we never spent this day abroad and there are always memorials or something in the states for today, but here… nothing.
Just remember…. “c’est pas grave” for the difficult or misunderstanding times, because as i have learned in Africa, life could be so much worse.
Love,
Diare'
(my senegalese name)
Thursday, September 4, 2008
downtown, car rapides, and a new family!
Well hello all!
I am adjusting quite peacefully here in Dakar. My roommate, Johanna and I moved in with our host family last Friday. It has been an experience! We only live with a mother (mama Sadiou) and her maid Maryam. Maryam speaks a little broken French but mostly she speaks Wolof with Sadiou. We have a decent size house, although half of it has been rented out because our host mother’s husband passed away a couple years ago so she didn’t need the extra room. Mama Sadiou has “adopted” a son named Pape Cham. He is very nice, he doesn’t live with her he lives down the street but he comes by a lot to heck on all of us to make sure we are doing fine!
Ramadan has started and some kids from the program are fasting but you all know me… I love my food too much! Ha! Our host mother is a very devout Muslim, she prays 5 times a day and now she is fasting. She is a sweetheart, she takes care of us and makes sure she can make us feel at home as much as possible. Johanna and I share a room with our own bathroom that has a shower. I have been finding a lot of different insects here, that I have never seen in the states. It’s quite an adventure.
This weekend we (the program) are going to Goree Island which is off the coast of Dakar. It’s an island that has a lot of historical museums and artifacts from the slave trading period. I will take lots of photos and put some up!
Last Sunday we went into downtown Dakar, let me say the closest I can say to describe it would be a mix of the west side of Fresno, T.J-Meixco, and downtown LA. It was an experience for sure! On our way there we were taking a “Car Rapide” which are short buses painted with extravagant art work. We were driving on our way to downtown when all of a sudden a little boy, about 7 years old ran out to cross the street and the Car Rapide hit him! It was so horrible! I was sitting in the front of the bus and saw him run out! He was able to stand up and his mother was there to help him, he turned out to be ok with some bumps, bruises, and scrapes, but it could have been much worse! Remember…. Look BOTH ways when crossing a street!
Children are so tough here, they hardly complain, most of them are taking care of their little siblings, and there are a lot of children on the roads begging for money and food to get through the day. The other day a little baby boy was hanging on to his uncle and he saw me and he started to cry because had never seen white skin before… it was something I had never experienced before, a child being scared of me because I looked different. But then he came around when we offered him some candy! :D That’s what doesn’t change with children… no matter where they are from they all have the love for candy in common!
Love,
Mariah
I am adjusting quite peacefully here in Dakar. My roommate, Johanna and I moved in with our host family last Friday. It has been an experience! We only live with a mother (mama Sadiou) and her maid Maryam. Maryam speaks a little broken French but mostly she speaks Wolof with Sadiou. We have a decent size house, although half of it has been rented out because our host mother’s husband passed away a couple years ago so she didn’t need the extra room. Mama Sadiou has “adopted” a son named Pape Cham. He is very nice, he doesn’t live with her he lives down the street but he comes by a lot to heck on all of us to make sure we are doing fine!
Ramadan has started and some kids from the program are fasting but you all know me… I love my food too much! Ha! Our host mother is a very devout Muslim, she prays 5 times a day and now she is fasting. She is a sweetheart, she takes care of us and makes sure she can make us feel at home as much as possible. Johanna and I share a room with our own bathroom that has a shower. I have been finding a lot of different insects here, that I have never seen in the states. It’s quite an adventure.
This weekend we (the program) are going to Goree Island which is off the coast of Dakar. It’s an island that has a lot of historical museums and artifacts from the slave trading period. I will take lots of photos and put some up!
Last Sunday we went into downtown Dakar, let me say the closest I can say to describe it would be a mix of the west side of Fresno, T.J-Meixco, and downtown LA. It was an experience for sure! On our way there we were taking a “Car Rapide” which are short buses painted with extravagant art work. We were driving on our way to downtown when all of a sudden a little boy, about 7 years old ran out to cross the street and the Car Rapide hit him! It was so horrible! I was sitting in the front of the bus and saw him run out! He was able to stand up and his mother was there to help him, he turned out to be ok with some bumps, bruises, and scrapes, but it could have been much worse! Remember…. Look BOTH ways when crossing a street!
Children are so tough here, they hardly complain, most of them are taking care of their little siblings, and there are a lot of children on the roads begging for money and food to get through the day. The other day a little baby boy was hanging on to his uncle and he saw me and he started to cry because had never seen white skin before… it was something I had never experienced before, a child being scared of me because I looked different. But then he came around when we offered him some candy! :D That’s what doesn’t change with children… no matter where they are from they all have the love for candy in common!
Love,
Mariah
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