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 we’re always one step behind so I’m frustrated feeling incompetent at something I’ve done for so long!

The wise master. And Kayla.

Overall things are going really well. Amina loves me and I love that I can just pick her up and play, or sometimes she’s handed to me quickly. Mouhamed and I speak in gibberish, him telling me things in Wolof while I pretend to respond and tell him things in French, I we went through some pictures I brought naming all my friends and family for him, as if he was remembering or actually caring. We’re getting ready for our first village stay this weekend complete with open air bathrooms and showers! Aka the fields. The stay is followed by a few days in a hotel in St Louis which I won’t complain about.

Every night when I come home there’s no electricity, I shower, eat and do homework in the dark. It’s like camping! Last night I realized that seems normal to me now, and to have electricity is like a treat. They are fascinated by my head lamp (thank you REI) and we use it cause it’s stronger than all their little lamps combined. Good thing I brought lots of batteries. 

Megan and I ate peanut butter on tiny cracker/cookies last night while doing homework as a little sneaky snack and comfort. I did bring 2 jars of Super Chunk with me. Don’t worry. I haven’t had any sweets or desserts here, it’s totally not in the Senegalese menu. Dessert is mangoes and I am not complaining. My family has already figured out it’s the only thing I’ll take seconds of and I let them insist on feeding me more. 

Also I find it funny to tell them about states, like Nebraska and Utah cause they almost don’t believe me when I tell them they’re states. Luckily, a new Lady Gaga song came on TV last night (which wins the weird award for the month, and also sounded country) and she says Nebraska like 10 times?? I was like see! See! It does exist! Shout out to Mom, again.

Ciao!