Senegal!

After more than a year of knowing that I was coming, I have finally arrived in Senegal. I’m in Dakar on a Rotary Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarship to study French for the next three months. I will then have one to two months of travel in West Africa before returning to the States for medical school.

My first real experience in Africa has been breath taking. The first thing that caught me by surprise was the amount of dust and dirt. Call it poverty or just call it being in the desert, there seems to be dirt everywhere. Cars are old and are rarely a uniform color. Old mini buses with people literally hanging off the back door serve for public transport. Chaotic doesn’t even begin to describe down town. I love it.

At first I was wide-eyed at what I considered poverty. Malaria is still rampant; water is not clean; roads are paved, but are rattled with pot holes. However, I soon realized that Senegal is much better off than many countries. Electricity is consistent (although it has cut out twice); water runs out of pipes; many toilets flush. By African standards, Senegal is doing pretty well. Although I must say, keeping a teapot of water next to the toilet to use instead of toilet paper seems silly.

My family is wonderful. Nathalie is the head of the family (in the blue). She has eight children. Three are in North America, the others are at home. The biggest four are in the picture. The three grandkids (all under five) are absolutely precious! Marie (3 years old) gives me kisses.

For my first week of class, I’m learning Wolof—the major local tribal language. My favorite new phrase is “Laayilaa! Tubaab bi degg na Wolof,” which translates, “My God! This white person speaks Wolof!”

My teacher, Oumoul, is great (see picture). Learning about her family has illuminated two unique circumstances in Senegalese life: polygamy and death. Oumoul’s father has two wives, which is fairly common. Senegal is a muslim nation, which abides by the Korann. My understanding is that up to four wives are permissible as long as one can adequately provide for all. Oumoul has ten siblings by her mother and eleven siblings by her “second mother”. Wow! I’d say Oumoul’s father has succeeded very well in passing along his genes.

Sadly, death at young ages is still a reality in Senegal. The average life span is 51, but many do not reach that age. Oumoul has lost three sisters and two uncles already.

Food consists entirely of rice with fish or meat. All meals for the entire family are eaten out of one large metal pan, which is not at all hygienic, but makes for fun meals.

In short, my first three days in West Africa have been great! I’ll try to keep the ol’ blog a running.