I'm finally in Dakar!

5.18.08
First thing I want to say, I ditched the flicker site and started a picasa photo site. The link is on the right “My Peace Corps pics” and I’ve added some new pics of the swearing in ceremony, my family and house in Thieneba, and my new place in Dakar.

Secondly, I MOVED INTO MY NEW HOME IN DAKAR! Leaving my family in Thieneba was really difficult and filled with many tears. But I assured them all I would be back in 2 months for my next training. I look forward to staying with them again as they really are my family here in Senegal.

I came to Dakar the day after our swear-in ceremony and stayed at the regional house for a few days while I awaited my installment into my new place. My days spend at the regional house were long and filled with many a movie watching. By the end of my time there, I was ready to get to my new place. A car came to pick me and all my stuff up and I was driven to a few places to meet important people in my neighborhood (Chief of Police etc). Then I was taken to my new house. As we drove up I soaked up all the scenery trying to imagine myself walking down that street, or buying some frozen bissapp from that boutique. When we arrived, we walked into the front gate to a large white house. Beautiful landscaping surrounded the house and a few stray cats walked around. I met my brother Kamane (who speaks amazing English) and he informed me that my mom would be gone for a while visiting some friends in the Gambia. He showed me to my room, which had just been freshly painted. The room sits independent from the house in the back corner. It has a beautiful mosaic floor but is fairly small. It’s hard to describe the feeling you have when the Peace Corps staff that installed you says, “well, Ok, see ya later!” and gets in the car to drive away. And so my new life begins. I sat down and talked with my new brother (Kamane) and uncle (Lamine) for awhile and then went to my room to start unpacking.

My new family is a lot smaller than my Thieneba family. I have a mother I haven’t met yet, an older Brother, a sister, and an Aunt and Uncle. There are a few other siblings that live in various other places including Morocco and France. I was sad to hear that there really aren’t any kids so I’ll miss that entertainment. I do have a little niece, Fatou who is really cute. She cried the first time she saw me, but I think we are becoming friends now.

Ok random story time: The other night my uncle Lamine told me that he wanted to take me to this club that is a walk away from our house called “Club Tropique”. I told him that it sounded like fun and that I would be in my room when he was ready to go. I got some work done in my room while I waited…..and waited……and waited. I decided I’d pass the time reading a book but I fell asleep. The next thing I know my uncle is rapping on my door saying it’s time to go. I look at my watch and it is almost 12:30am! I was tired, but I knew that it would be a good bonding experience so I got up and met him outside. He was wearing his best white suit and definitely had fun with the cologne. We walked to the club and met a few of his friends sitting at a table. At one point this girl walks up to me and says hello in English. I excitedly respond back, “Hello! You speak English?” to which she says, “Yes, I love you.” I probably had a funny look on my face because she repeated herself, “I Love you!” I explain in wolof that I just met her and that she couldn’t love me. All the while my uncle is grinning. Then she says, “Would you like to spend the night together?” ACKWARD!!!!! I quickly realized that she was a prostitute and responded with a direct “NO!” She gave me a funny look and walked away while my uncle started laughing. The rest of the night was spend salsa dancing and trying to converse with my uncle over the really loud music. At about 4am I was exhausted and told my uncle I was going to walk home but he refused to let me walk alone. He walked me home and then went back to party some more. Interesting night for sure. ☺