Sunday, April 10, 2011

This last stint was the longest we had in the village. During this time we spent setting up a garden in the school as well as painting murals on the school walls. The mural we painted was of the food pyramid although the colors we chose made the painting look like it was out of the 80's. The garden was the difficult of the two projects first because we had to clear and area behind a classroom then make the beds, chase away goats, plant the garden, chase away sheep, build a fence, laugh at said goats and sheep trying to get in. we currently have some healthy eggplants, hot peppers, and onions. Plus some very unhealthy looking lettuce. The tree garden has yet to sprout.

The langue is coming slowly and we had our first test yesterday. Other than that I have been able to walk down the street and conversations with random people. Of course our town has wolof people as well so there has been some times I greet them and they come up and start talking to me. Of course I can't speak it so I try to communicate in my broken French. Although a really cool thing that happened. I have a "two year" I can never get a clear answer on his age , his first words where my name Dauda. Sure he could have been talking about my younger brother but I am going to think it was me. The other funny thing that happened to me involves noise. Senegal is never quiet there is aways noise going on animals, people, music, cars. All times of the night to. So during my stay I had to go to the restroom. So I walk out of my house and it is quiet, like you could hear a pin drop quiet. It was incredibly odd and awsome. As I am walking back to my room the thing that breaks the sience was my nieghbors donkeys doing it. The other random story I have is I have a two year old in the compound I live in his first words was my name. I thought it was cool. Last on the stories We had a religious ceremony last night in our town which meant good eating, as in beef. The down side of that is we got to see the cow slaughtered of course this really did not bother me and I thought it was kinda cool. The down side to this is that they spent the whole night singing from one until seven in the morning, so no sleep for me.
To answer your questions Senegal is a polygamous society so a man can have multiple wives as long as he can pay the dowery. I have seen and talked to my dad and second official mother. My dad is a businessman dealing with export and import of locally grown agriculture. He also dose a lot of community refurbishment, example he help build the school we are working in.
second I did teach them the mocerana and they love it although they keep saying macaroni instead.
lastly sorry but no worms yet.
Feel free to post questions here or e-mail them to me like the ones above were.
Take care and have fun with the wet season because I am in a blow dryer.

4 comments:

  1. Its too hot where you are for the lettuce that's why it's sad!
    Someday you'll have to teach them the difference between the macarena and macaroni! hahahahaha

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  2. For once I am not jealous. I am SO GLAD I was not present for the cow slaughtering. *involuntary shudder*
    Good to hear from you. I knew you wouldn't be able to post for a while, but figured it was about time again.
    Also, I wrote you a letter. But it occurs to me that you are no longer at the training facility. Do you have a new address?

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  3. Jim: What an experience you are having. We live vicariously. Hope your garden survives the goats and sheep. Where is a border collie when you need one? It is interesting to read how you are getting used to the culture. The cow thing sounds different, but hey you got to dance the night away. Anyway, keep on gardening and doing the macarena. We love you. PS Check your e-mail in the next day or two. Dad and Mom

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  4. Hey man how are ya? I am very glad to hear that things are going well. The weather actually has been decent, with the exception of the horrid hale storms that have occured. I have a couple of shows, which will be all sorts of exciting, and by the way flogging molly was epic(no surprise). Email me some pics if you are able. I also get baptised in less than 2 weeks. I will be a member of grace and holy trinity cathedral. I hope all will be well with you good sir.

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