Safe and Sound

I have successfully arrived chez les Diops, my gracious host family in Saint Louis. Now I’m sitting under my bed net waiting for my project coordinator to pick me up to show me around, so I have a little time to describe my journey up until now.

After landing in Dakar I met a group of five other volunteers of several nationalities. It turned out that French was the most convenient language in which to communicate, which I think is awesome even though in my post-plane haze I was in no state to partake in any involved conversations regardless of language. The eight of us (six volunteers, Banda, our wonderful contact, and our driver) plus luggage piled into a station wagon which I guess can technically seat eight, but the three in the back couldn’t sit up straight without hitting their heads on the ceiling. This is how we made the seven hour journey from Dakar to Saint Louis. Despite the cramped quarters and unreal humidity, I’m glad I’ve already gotten to see so much of Senegal.

I’ve also now met my roommate, Caroline, who’s a sophomore at U. Chicago. She’s been great and has done what she can to show me the ropes. My family has been wonderfully accommodating, and doesn’t seem to mind that I’ve spent most of my time so far asleep. All in all I’d say a great start!