Day 27

Something around 95% of Senegal is Muslim. So I am a minority. One of the more interesting parts about this religion and the culture is a saying that goes Inch`Allah. It means God Willing, and the senegalese muslims say it after every single thing that in any way has to do with the future. meeting at 4pm tomorrow? Inch Allah. And I think thats pretty cool, because its to say that certain things are beyond our control and even if we do what we can to keep our appointments, it wont always be the case. There are two things that result from this way of looking at the future. The first is that everyone is late for everything. Punctuality doesnt exist, it doesn`t have to.If you`re late, it isn`t your fault, god simply did not will for you to be on time, so no worries. The second result is that I as well as any outsider to this religion is going to be creeped out by this. The first time it creeped me out, I was talking to guy and he asked me how old I was. I said I was 21, but that I will be turning 22 at the end of the month... He said Inch Allah. being as my birthday was only two weeks away I guess I took it for granted that I would live long enough to experience it, and he must have thought that was an unreasonable assumption. It isn`t just him though, that`s the culture here. And although it generally has to do with anything that takes place in the future, I think theres a second motive which is to be as creepy as possible about it. When I first told my boss what my estimated time of arrival at the Dakar airport was so they could arrange for me to be picked up, she said she wished me a safe trip, inch allah. Anyway I`ve taken a bit of a liking to this second motive and have used the saying inch allah myself, always sarcastically, and in the creepiest ways I can. But the people are very receptive to it and instead see it as a compliment of sorts, it makes them happy that I`m acknowledging the future is out of their hands.
Anyway, all this to say that 4 of the other volunteers and I are going on a trip for a week to the region of Southern Senegal called Casamance. It is known for being a very beautiful river and rain forest, and is also known for its civil unrest of sorts. Its considered somewhat unsafe, and advised that we be careful. We will be careful, all will be alright, and I will post a blog again when we get back next week.
...
Inch Allah

Day 20

People carry things on their heads here. I don`t, it isn`t my style, yet.

I should probably start by clearing the air a bit. The Daara isn`t exactly what I thought it was. anything I told you before is probably wrong. I was wrong because my boss told me about it in French and because it was during an interview and I wanted to get the job I pretended like I understood her completely and didn`t ask any questions for clarification. The information has since been clarified. Daara means home in arabic (I think), and the idea is that families

who didnt havent enough money to raise their children would send their kids to a Daara which would take the children in, teach them the Qu`ran, and then let the kids hit the streets to collect money for the Daara. The Daara de Malika is not that kind of Daara, it is a modern Daara that receives its funding from IGOs and NGOs and whoever else is willing to help,so that the kids can go to actual school instead and can stay off the streets.

There are about 50 kids living here in this Daara, and I am one of six volunteers. There are also teachers, cooks, maintenance people and friends of the Daara that keep things running smoothly.

Pictures.

Heres a picture of the grounds. There are some neighbourhood kids and Daara kids playing soccer. Sand is everywhere. Other than sand, there is also a couple of classrooms, the library, and the woodworking, ceramics, and sewing rooms in this picture.

Here`s a picture of some of my coworkers and I, we visited the Ile de Goree, which is an island just off of Senegal which was used as a final holding place for African slaves that were going to be shipped to the Americas. The island was used for this purpose for about 300 years. There was no escaping, they would keep the slaves there and fatten them up so that they could be sold for a high price. To make sure that disease did not spread, they would throw any really sick slaves into the ocean and let the sharks take care of the rest. I dont mean to be insensitive, visiting the island was quite an experience, but the picture is unfortunately not really about the history of the island at all but is instead a picture of us with a cool looking background.

The kids have decided that my nickname is Messi, as in Lionel Messi the prolific futbol player for Barcelona. Why is that my nickname? I`m not sure, but they may think that all white people look alike, and they`ve seen a picture of Messi once or twice. It probably also has to do with the fact that his hair is longer than average as well. Beyond that, I have no idea.

Here`s a picture of some of the kids having lunch. I cant really describe the meal. but it wasn`t bad.

This is a picture of some of the kids dancing. Some nights they like to sing and dance and play drums with whatever objects they find. I can be found in the background of this photo astutely studying their dance moves. I will master them.

This is a good picture of Quackpack.

Day 7

Hello, I am safe.
Senegal is great, the weather is great (I havent seen a cloud yet), and my coworkers are pretty cool, and the kids at the Daara are awesome. By the way google Daara de Malika if you want to know more about the place i'm working at.
I have not started actually working yet, they want us to get accustomed to the place and the kids first. Meals are interesting here in Senegal. typically 8 or so people will sit around a large bowl and share. the meals are always rice, with veggies, and sometimes we get some meat as well. There aren't enough spoons for everyone and I even ate dinner with about 7 kids just using my hand. cool experience, but my roommate packed an extra one so I am going to hold on to that.

There is no need for an alarm clock here. The Daara is right beside a mosque and every morning at 5 am someone from the most belts out a 20 minute chant (prayer) as loud as he can. The kids wake up shortly afterwards and they play and make noise and everything until they go to school at about 9. I spend my day playing with the kids, getting to know my coworkers, reading, and I sneak in some exercise and a nap whenever I can. It's not a choice, or a routine, or even a lifestyle. Its more like a philosophy. Next week I'll actually start working. cool.

a little side challenge I am taking part in will involve me not shaving at all this summer. I've got about a week before my beard starts being uncomfortable but hopefully it'll grow on me.

My next post will have pictures and will probably be better overall as well.