Felt rather sick when I woke up. Ate breakfast anyway- had choccopan and tea. I was already late for meeting friends to go to HLM- this big fabric market. Got there as quickly as I could- we were able to get the taxi for 800 F. A good price, and set off for the market.
I was ready for this market. I knew no one was going to mess with me and felt super confident walking around. People had to be careful in these markets- there’s pickpocketers and such. We set out. HLM (said like: ashalemme) is particularly big. We were able to find a market vender that we liked right away though. We practically walked in every nook and cranny of the market. I ended up getting 6 yards of really beautiful fabric. I paid 4000F, which is about $8. I’ve never bought fabric before but when I asked when I got home, they said it was a good price. A rule of thumb here is that if you would be okay with the price in the US, then whatever it is, it’s a good price. I feel like that fabric that I bought would be so expensive in the states and I was okay with the price here.
I got home, rather tired and still feeling kinda crappy. Ate lunch but couldn’t really so I ended up lying down. I listened to music on my ipod and I’ve been noticing that listening to music alone in my room is really keeping me sane. It was sort of a rough adjustment, coming here. But I’m slowly getting used to it. Katia left her ukulele here last night and I played some today. Playing music and singing was also such a nice feeling. I’ve decided I’m going to buy a guitar. My host cousin is interested in learning, so I’m going to go halfsies on the guitar and show him some stuff and when I leave, it’s going to stay here. I’m alright with the deal. I need something to keep me distracted and what better than a guitar, which I can improve my skills on and write songs. I still feel a little icky and may or may not go to this concert/party that the rest of the students are going to tonight. It’s at a school somewhere.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
4:00 pm 23JAN10
I'm sitting on the beach of Ile de Goree with everyone else. Pretty neat. Ile de Goree is historically a slave trade island off the coast of Senegal. Our group toured some museums and walked around a bit.. At one point, we were walking in a building that used to hold slaves, les esclaves. It was so not real, but real, to walk in a room where people used to be held prisoner. It was quite sad. The island is so beautiful but the events that took place here are so tragic.
Other Things:
I "marchandayed" some and got a cool necklace.
We're leaving in half an hour on a ferry to go back to Dakar.
I finally have some real homework!
But as for me, I'm doing alright. This place is like Distraction Land so I don't miss Portland too much. There are times when I wish I was playing the drums or guitar or walking around Portland with Nsayi. But that will come soon enough.
Oh one more thing!
I also got some cool percussion instrument that I'll learn soon enough. We're having a music and dance class in about a week so my music craving will be satisfied.. yesssss. Gonna learn some African drumming- Senegal style. Until next. xo.
Other Things:
I "marchandayed" some and got a cool necklace.
We're leaving in half an hour on a ferry to go back to Dakar.
I finally have some real homework!
But as for me, I'm doing alright. This place is like Distraction Land so I don't miss Portland too much. There are times when I wish I was playing the drums or guitar or walking around Portland with Nsayi. But that will come soon enough.
Oh one more thing!
I also got some cool percussion instrument that I'll learn soon enough. We're having a music and dance class in about a week so my music craving will be satisfied.. yesssss. Gonna learn some African drumming- Senegal style. Until next. xo.
Friday, January 22, 2010
CENTREVILLEEEEE
allo. 8:19 PM Senegal Time
Sitting in the Salong avec ma famille.
Today was eventful. Our school group went downtown for the first time.. It was a bit overwhelming because ther eare a lot of people, a lot of traffic, the smells are..let's just say, not so refreshing, but it was so much fun. We were prepped on what to expect: people asking if we wanted to buy things, people asking for money, and also the possibility of pickpocketing and stuff like that. I had a good experience, honestly. I was with two others from the group and a guide from ACI Baobab, Tchiaba. I really like Tchiaba- she's super nice and has a good sense of humor. It's fun to joke around with her. I feel totally comfortable. She's also really easy to understand in French. I've been noticing my French improving day by day. It's great! I can undrestand people more easily and speak at east as well. C'est formidable!
21Jan10:
Went downtown again. Much more easy than yesterday. I bargained to buy a pair of flip flop sandals. Bargaining is: Marchander in French. I ended up getting then for 5000 CFA which is about $10 US... I was looking to pay around 4000 CFA, but it was my first time doing it and our guides said that 5000 CFA was okay. But man! I put on the saldals to walk to school and they totally cut into my skin! It's really painful! Goad I brought a decent first aid kit.
I really like my family, especially my cousin Mohamed and brother Mohamed. It's a popular name. Mohamed 1 (bro) was asking Mohamed 2 (couz) how to say "honey" in English. It was quite funy becaue he kept pronouncing it like "hoonay." And then Mohamed 2 kept trying to correct him.. It was funny because Mohamed 1 got kind of mad, but it was a funny mad and said, "you have hoonay in yr big head" to Mohamed 2. And we laughed. I dunno, I like my host fam, but i'm also noticing how they are more reserved and almost seem a little mad at times. I'm going to investigate some more. This weekend we're going to an Island called Ile d'Goree. Update soon.
xo -kp
Sitting in the Salong avec ma famille.
Today was eventful. Our school group went downtown for the first time.. It was a bit overwhelming because ther eare a lot of people, a lot of traffic, the smells are..let's just say, not so refreshing, but it was so much fun. We were prepped on what to expect: people asking if we wanted to buy things, people asking for money, and also the possibility of pickpocketing and stuff like that. I had a good experience, honestly. I was with two others from the group and a guide from ACI Baobab, Tchiaba. I really like Tchiaba- she's super nice and has a good sense of humor. It's fun to joke around with her. I feel totally comfortable. She's also really easy to understand in French. I've been noticing my French improving day by day. It's great! I can undrestand people more easily and speak at east as well. C'est formidable!
21Jan10:
Went downtown again. Much more easy than yesterday. I bargained to buy a pair of flip flop sandals. Bargaining is: Marchander in French. I ended up getting then for 5000 CFA which is about $10 US... I was looking to pay around 4000 CFA, but it was my first time doing it and our guides said that 5000 CFA was okay. But man! I put on the saldals to walk to school and they totally cut into my skin! It's really painful! Goad I brought a decent first aid kit.
I really like my family, especially my cousin Mohamed and brother Mohamed. It's a popular name. Mohamed 1 (bro) was asking Mohamed 2 (couz) how to say "honey" in English. It was quite funy becaue he kept pronouncing it like "hoonay." And then Mohamed 2 kept trying to correct him.. It was funny because Mohamed 1 got kind of mad, but it was a funny mad and said, "you have hoonay in yr big head" to Mohamed 2. And we laughed. I dunno, I like my host fam, but i'm also noticing how they are more reserved and almost seem a little mad at times. I'm going to investigate some more. This weekend we're going to an Island called Ile d'Goree. Update soon.
xo -kp
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
i'm in dakar, first blog post.
15 Jan 2010
Salut! Je suis à l’aeroport et je sui strop fatirue… blah. We arrived in Paris around 10ish in the morning. Went through security – well we first had to find out where we were going… got on a train to security and then found our gate. This all took about three hours. I realized that I should have though more thoroughly on what I should have packed/done to prepare. First, I should have packed food. I totally forgot it was okay to bring food on the flight. This would have saved me some cash. Second, I shouldn’t have brought cash with me and instead just pulled it out of the ATM in Senegal. Third, I also should have remembered to try and call my bank again. Forgot after I called.. blah. Need to tell them I’m out of the country soonish. Also, I need to find out if BoA lets overseas withdrawals happen. Last, I also should have brought an adapter with me in my carry on. Gah. No internet. Oh well. It’s 2:20 pm Paris time. The flight leaves around 3:40ish or boards around then. Tired- might nap. Eyes hurt. Can’t wait to sleep in a bed and take my last show in an actual shower for four months. CIAO.
12:35 am 16 Jan 2010 Dakar, Senegal
We’re here! I’m here! In Africa! In Senegal! À Dakar! The flight was five hours long… but we had like a nine hour layover in Paris. I feel like what I’m about to say is expected, but it’s totally different here than what I expected.. ha. I wonder where I’m going to live. Tomorrow we have our first orientation and we are constantly doing things from 9:30 am til probably 10 pm at night. Have to go- very tired. Ciao.
C’est 20h45 et je suis fatigue… En anglais, it’s 8:45 pm and I am tired. Forgot to mention that the plane lost my luggage along with four other’s. It’s okay though. I have all my clothes- packed them in my carry on. I just wish I had my face wash and soap and lotion(s!). So anyway, today was my first official day in Dakar. It started off waking up at 8:30 am to eat le petit dejeuner. We’re in this apartment called Coumba Ndao. It has three bedrooms, a hall, a kitchen, a livingroom/diningroom and two bathrooms. One of the bathrooms is attached to the room I’m sharing with two others: Rebekah and Leia. There’s also this funny wardrobe thing in our room and our room only. Also, we have a balcony.
My head hurts so bad. Not because I’m sick but because today I’ve spoken and listened to the most French I have ever in one day. I started off really nervous at the first orientation and I’m pretty sure I said so many things that were not correct. It’s okay though. My French improved throughout the day. But back to breakfast. It consisted of pain our des baguettes- huge ones- probably bought from the bakery across the street, jams, REALLY GOOD cheese, and this chocolate stuff that’s like Nutella but more chocolate and less hazelnuts. I also had instant coffee for the first time- Not Bad, rather tasty. I took my malarone during breakfast and started feeling woozy during the first orientation. I have a feeling it was a combination of just eating bread and cheese for breakfast, jetlag, having to comprehend really good, fluent French, and the fact that I was so so nervous. I had chills and my stomach felt like it was turning over and over.
- - - -
1h45 pm Sicap Liberté 2, no. 1222 ( my new home )
I arrived at my host house. I accidently fell asleep when I was trying to write… So I’ll continue. So anyway, I was really nervous at the first orientation when we had to introduce ourselves. After that we decided to go out and explore the city and surrounding neighborhoods of ACI Baobab ( my school ). We split into two groups- each with a guide. Ours was Fatim. We set off to go to one end of the proximity and then visit our host families. It was interesting seeing everyone’s host family. I’d have to say that Katia’s mom was the most excited. When I got to m house, we all entered and I met my host mom and two others… can’t remember who they are. My host mom seemed really serious and somber and somewhat intimidating. Nevertheless, it was nice to see where I’ll be living. There are three bedrooms, a common space/livingroom, a kitchen and a toilet with a bucket for bathing. The walk around the neighborhood was very long. Man, it’s so hot here. Il fait très très chaud. I’m tan already. After we saw everyone’s home, we started to head back to ACI Baobab but our guide Fatim seemed to be a little lost. I think we ended up walking in the wrong direction and because of that we were a little late and had to take a taxi. So then, the first taxi only held four people and I was the last in line. So I ended up taking a taxi with Fatim. This is the kind of thing I would be extremely scared of, but it wasn’t that bad. A lot of Wolof was spoken so I just listened and looked out the window to where we were going. We got to ACI Baobab first and apparently the other taxi got lost. So there I am, waiting in front of ACI Baobab along because Fatim went to go ask about the others. A little ways away was someone named Mamdou. He’s very nice and was happy to practice Wolof with me. I’m not sure what he does. He seemed to be keeping guard of ACI or just sitting there. Je ne sais pas. Then someone else came up.. I think his name is Boxy Jaams…or something like that. He started talking in Wolof, French and English. It was very funny because I was like “What?” The girls from last year told us about him- apparently he’s totally harmless but quite annoying. I dunno. It was interesting. But yea, we went back to the apartment and ate. I fell asleep for three hours and then was awoken immediately because our bags had arrived. I stumbled out of a very deep sleep only to realize I was still in Africa and had to speak French immediately in order to get my bags. Gah! I was awake and forgot that we were invited to go to this nightclub which is right next to the apartment. It’s called Thiossane and is owned by a famous Senegalese singer. I think his name is Youssou Ndouga. Probably not though- I can’t quite remember. So, I took a shower- my last official shower for four months and got ready to go to the club. Our friend Saamba- who picked us up the first day and brought us to ACI Baobab, bought us tickets to the club. It was fun and packed. Ther was a live band and African drumming. The drummer on the regular kit was only okay. I guess he was sort of the time keeper. The singer Youssou was good. Everyone seemed to know his songs. We left around three because we needed to get up early the next day. So the next day, I was really nervous. We were to meet our families and officially stay with them. We had to family orientation and then departed in a van to each family. Mine was 6th. When I got out there were about 5 little boys playing in the courtyard. They all ran out and snatched my bags from me to bring them inside. They’re so cute! And super nice. I found out that they’re actually the nephews of my host parent’s children. My host mom’s name is Astou and the family name is Gandega. I haven’t quite figured out the family situation but I’ve met Mohamed who is around my age and also lives in the house. He’s either a son or a cousin. The house is really neat. There’s a salon (livingroom) and three bedrooms with a kitchen and bathroom. Behind the house is a courtyard and next to it is a coiffeur, a hair salon. Apparently there are 2 cats (chat) but I’ve only seen one. When I got to the house, they just showed me my room and no one bothered me for about an hour. It was a little nerve-wracking because I thought I was doing something wrong but I guess it was okay. We had lunch- djeeboudjenn. Not sure how correct that spelling is. But it was soooooo good. Mmmm. The rice.. man. Delicious. Then I awkwardly watched tv- they love soccer or en francaise- le foot-ball. C’est super chouette!
Learned some Wolof too. Again not sure on the spelling so I’m doing it as close to what I think it is and phonetically. Saalam malekuum- the formal for Hello, how are ou. Then the response is Mallekuum Saalam. Something a little informal is Nangadef. The response is Margne fe- again a greeting. Here I Dakar if you ever want something you have to do a greeting first. It’s customary. Anyway- all is good. I’m rapidly learning French and some Wolof. ACI Baobab has bought cell phones for us- so I don’t have to go to the trouble of getting one. The only thing I still need is a converter adapter for my comp. Apparently I bought the wrong one. We’re going downtown on Wednesday so maybe I’ll get one then. À bientôt. –Katrine (enfrancaise)
10:30 am 18 Jan 2010 Baobab Center
Got up around 7:30 but was woken up at 7 from loud clanking of pots and the sound of running water. I thought it was my host mom but apparently it was my Bonne. I think her name is Aby and she’s my most mom’s niece. She works for the family to clean the house. Maman Astou, my host mom, knocked on my door at 7:30 so I could take a shower. And it was an actual shower. But a cold one. I found out that we have a shower head, so I used that this morning. Will up date soon. Ciao.
Salut! Je suis à l’aeroport et je sui strop fatirue… blah. We arrived in Paris around 10ish in the morning. Went through security – well we first had to find out where we were going… got on a train to security and then found our gate. This all took about three hours. I realized that I should have though more thoroughly on what I should have packed/done to prepare. First, I should have packed food. I totally forgot it was okay to bring food on the flight. This would have saved me some cash. Second, I shouldn’t have brought cash with me and instead just pulled it out of the ATM in Senegal. Third, I also should have remembered to try and call my bank again. Forgot after I called.. blah. Need to tell them I’m out of the country soonish. Also, I need to find out if BoA lets overseas withdrawals happen. Last, I also should have brought an adapter with me in my carry on. Gah. No internet. Oh well. It’s 2:20 pm Paris time. The flight leaves around 3:40ish or boards around then. Tired- might nap. Eyes hurt. Can’t wait to sleep in a bed and take my last show in an actual shower for four months. CIAO.
12:35 am 16 Jan 2010 Dakar, Senegal
We’re here! I’m here! In Africa! In Senegal! À Dakar! The flight was five hours long… but we had like a nine hour layover in Paris. I feel like what I’m about to say is expected, but it’s totally different here than what I expected.. ha. I wonder where I’m going to live. Tomorrow we have our first orientation and we are constantly doing things from 9:30 am til probably 10 pm at night. Have to go- very tired. Ciao.
C’est 20h45 et je suis fatigue… En anglais, it’s 8:45 pm and I am tired. Forgot to mention that the plane lost my luggage along with four other’s. It’s okay though. I have all my clothes- packed them in my carry on. I just wish I had my face wash and soap and lotion(s!). So anyway, today was my first official day in Dakar. It started off waking up at 8:30 am to eat le petit dejeuner. We’re in this apartment called Coumba Ndao. It has three bedrooms, a hall, a kitchen, a livingroom/diningroom and two bathrooms. One of the bathrooms is attached to the room I’m sharing with two others: Rebekah and Leia. There’s also this funny wardrobe thing in our room and our room only. Also, we have a balcony.
My head hurts so bad. Not because I’m sick but because today I’ve spoken and listened to the most French I have ever in one day. I started off really nervous at the first orientation and I’m pretty sure I said so many things that were not correct. It’s okay though. My French improved throughout the day. But back to breakfast. It consisted of pain our des baguettes- huge ones- probably bought from the bakery across the street, jams, REALLY GOOD cheese, and this chocolate stuff that’s like Nutella but more chocolate and less hazelnuts. I also had instant coffee for the first time- Not Bad, rather tasty. I took my malarone during breakfast and started feeling woozy during the first orientation. I have a feeling it was a combination of just eating bread and cheese for breakfast, jetlag, having to comprehend really good, fluent French, and the fact that I was so so nervous. I had chills and my stomach felt like it was turning over and over.
- - - -
1h45 pm Sicap Liberté 2, no. 1222 ( my new home )
I arrived at my host house. I accidently fell asleep when I was trying to write… So I’ll continue. So anyway, I was really nervous at the first orientation when we had to introduce ourselves. After that we decided to go out and explore the city and surrounding neighborhoods of ACI Baobab ( my school ). We split into two groups- each with a guide. Ours was Fatim. We set off to go to one end of the proximity and then visit our host families. It was interesting seeing everyone’s host family. I’d have to say that Katia’s mom was the most excited. When I got to m house, we all entered and I met my host mom and two others… can’t remember who they are. My host mom seemed really serious and somber and somewhat intimidating. Nevertheless, it was nice to see where I’ll be living. There are three bedrooms, a common space/livingroom, a kitchen and a toilet with a bucket for bathing. The walk around the neighborhood was very long. Man, it’s so hot here. Il fait très très chaud. I’m tan already. After we saw everyone’s home, we started to head back to ACI Baobab but our guide Fatim seemed to be a little lost. I think we ended up walking in the wrong direction and because of that we were a little late and had to take a taxi. So then, the first taxi only held four people and I was the last in line. So I ended up taking a taxi with Fatim. This is the kind of thing I would be extremely scared of, but it wasn’t that bad. A lot of Wolof was spoken so I just listened and looked out the window to where we were going. We got to ACI Baobab first and apparently the other taxi got lost. So there I am, waiting in front of ACI Baobab along because Fatim went to go ask about the others. A little ways away was someone named Mamdou. He’s very nice and was happy to practice Wolof with me. I’m not sure what he does. He seemed to be keeping guard of ACI or just sitting there. Je ne sais pas. Then someone else came up.. I think his name is Boxy Jaams…or something like that. He started talking in Wolof, French and English. It was very funny because I was like “What?” The girls from last year told us about him- apparently he’s totally harmless but quite annoying. I dunno. It was interesting. But yea, we went back to the apartment and ate. I fell asleep for three hours and then was awoken immediately because our bags had arrived. I stumbled out of a very deep sleep only to realize I was still in Africa and had to speak French immediately in order to get my bags. Gah! I was awake and forgot that we were invited to go to this nightclub which is right next to the apartment. It’s called Thiossane and is owned by a famous Senegalese singer. I think his name is Youssou Ndouga. Probably not though- I can’t quite remember. So, I took a shower- my last official shower for four months and got ready to go to the club. Our friend Saamba- who picked us up the first day and brought us to ACI Baobab, bought us tickets to the club. It was fun and packed. Ther was a live band and African drumming. The drummer on the regular kit was only okay. I guess he was sort of the time keeper. The singer Youssou was good. Everyone seemed to know his songs. We left around three because we needed to get up early the next day. So the next day, I was really nervous. We were to meet our families and officially stay with them. We had to family orientation and then departed in a van to each family. Mine was 6th. When I got out there were about 5 little boys playing in the courtyard. They all ran out and snatched my bags from me to bring them inside. They’re so cute! And super nice. I found out that they’re actually the nephews of my host parent’s children. My host mom’s name is Astou and the family name is Gandega. I haven’t quite figured out the family situation but I’ve met Mohamed who is around my age and also lives in the house. He’s either a son or a cousin. The house is really neat. There’s a salon (livingroom) and three bedrooms with a kitchen and bathroom. Behind the house is a courtyard and next to it is a coiffeur, a hair salon. Apparently there are 2 cats (chat) but I’ve only seen one. When I got to the house, they just showed me my room and no one bothered me for about an hour. It was a little nerve-wracking because I thought I was doing something wrong but I guess it was okay. We had lunch- djeeboudjenn. Not sure how correct that spelling is. But it was soooooo good. Mmmm. The rice.. man. Delicious. Then I awkwardly watched tv- they love soccer or en francaise- le foot-ball. C’est super chouette!
Learned some Wolof too. Again not sure on the spelling so I’m doing it as close to what I think it is and phonetically. Saalam malekuum- the formal for Hello, how are ou. Then the response is Mallekuum Saalam. Something a little informal is Nangadef. The response is Margne fe- again a greeting. Here I Dakar if you ever want something you have to do a greeting first. It’s customary. Anyway- all is good. I’m rapidly learning French and some Wolof. ACI Baobab has bought cell phones for us- so I don’t have to go to the trouble of getting one. The only thing I still need is a converter adapter for my comp. Apparently I bought the wrong one. We’re going downtown on Wednesday so maybe I’ll get one then. À bientôt. –Katrine (enfrancaise)
10:30 am 18 Jan 2010 Baobab Center
Got up around 7:30 but was woken up at 7 from loud clanking of pots and the sound of running water. I thought it was my host mom but apparently it was my Bonne. I think her name is Aby and she’s my most mom’s niece. She works for the family to clean the house. Maman Astou, my host mom, knocked on my door at 7:30 so I could take a shower. And it was an actual shower. But a cold one. I found out that we have a shower head, so I used that this morning. Will up date soon. Ciao.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
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