December 2011
1 post
Cramming too much into one post
Hey faithful followers whom I have left hanging for so long. I’ve been writing writing writing all day everyday for this 38pg paper in French. Yes mom it’s true, I actually buckled down and sat in the German Institute’s library for hours. Maybe it’s cause I’ve been blatantly told my French writing skills are subpar so I feel some sort of motivation to prove them...
November 2011
4 posts
Hey all!
So ISP period has been a mix of fun/down time with friends, long days at the organization, and lonely time since I live kind of alone and far from the rest of our group. I feel great and sure about my project one day and then freak out that I’m not doing enough and can’t possibly create a worthy paper in such short time the next. It’s hard for a horrible student to create all...
Post Tabaski
Let’s play catch up with some fun visual aids…
First, our last “class” was making Ceebu jën with our teachers. It’s the national dish “rice with fish”. I know, its name is ambiguous. Let’s just say I have tried my hardest to avoid lunchtimes where I have no escape because ceebu jën is served 8/10 times and FISHY. For those of you who know me, so all...
Pre-Tabaski
Sorry I’ve left you hanging for so long friends and readers! I had a fear of complaining or honestly writing about my silly negative thoughts. You know the usual ones… it’s halfway through, I have a whole 6 weeks left, but still so much to do here, the fear of not feeling fulfilled/not experiencing everything available etc. I won’t lie, the airport borders my neighborhood...
October 2011
3 posts
Back to Dakar
Things are goin well. I feel like I’ve got some routines, know how some things work and other logical advancements after the one month mark. We’re in Dakar for two weeks before the next village stay so it’s to and from school everyday, a run, shower, dinner and maybe some homework.
The cool part is we’re doing art this week! everyday after lunch we go to le Village des...
September 2011
12 posts
Djembé
We started dance and djembé classes Monday! So fun. We’re learning from a famous djembé master and dance from a griot family of drummers and a woman dancer. It’s so complicated! I mean thankfully I can pick up the moves pretty well and the other students in my class rely on watching me, but following the drum is the hardest part. It feels to me like they emphasize the off beat and...
Kankourang
Okay let’s try and recap the last few days…
Friday we went to Gorée Island which was a quick ferry ride away. It has la Maison d’Esclaves (Slave House) which has been preserved as a museum. Gorée was a major connection point in trafficking slaves since it is conveniently located of the coast closest to the Americas and Europe. We visited the museum and saw the rooms where they...
Bathroom Fun
Just doin laundry in a bucket, no big deal. I thought it would be fun but after 10min of hunching over like that it was a painful fun time.
And here’s the famous shower toilet room! Don’t be fooled, that shower head produces no water.
Tàng
Tàng=heat. It is hot! The temperature itself would be tolerable but the humidity is crazy. I’ve come to accept that I will never feel completely dry and that is ok. The biggest issue is the power cuts though. They happen throughout the day for hours at a time and I’ve woken up every night because my fan turns off and it’s unbearable but alas, c’est la vie! There are...
Jërëjëf
Jërëjëf means thank you in Wolof and it’s cool looking and is useful. We moved into our host families last night and this morning heard some of those very few “horror” stories of awkward and uncomfortable. LUCKILY, mine was not like that. I have a Mum, Dad, 2 little siblings, my own room (decorated with a hundred children’s stickers) and a bathroom that will take some...
The Beginning
SO. There’s a lot to take in during the first 3 days, I’ll give you some snapshots. Literally.
Here is one view from the roof of the SIT building (our office and classrooms for the semester), which includes the famous yet controversial statue of the Renaissance (located on a hill in the neighborhood I now call home: Ouakam). As you see, they make everything from cement. There is a ton...
Arrival
I have arrived! Slept all 12hrs of plane rides. It is truly a gift of mine, sleeping. Dakar reminds me a lot of Kingston. well so far what I’ve seen from the airport to the hotel. We have wifi and a/c in the hotel which is great since it was probably 80 already at 7am and humid as can be.
The other girls here so far are rad. Definitely my type of people so I’m excited. We’re at...
That Time
Here I am at almost 3am, leaving for the airport at 4:30 but everything is packed. Right here in these backpacks. It’s the art of cramming.
Tada!
Mail
Also, if you would so like to send me a letter you may. Please and thank you.
Lauren Osga
c/o SIT- Study Abroad Dakar
BP: 16490
Dakar- Fann, Sénégal
The Countdown
The final day has arrived. It’s the day I run around crazy making sure I have a water sterilizer that works, enough poisonous mosquito repellent to cover a village and a San Diego keychain for every person I will meet. My mother has graciously packed me an oversized pharmacy, first aid kit and a plethora of San Diego tourist souvenirs (yes, including the pink visor). This means my own...