Le Pays qui est tranquille!

So I apologize for the lack of blogging and the lack of pictures - I'll add some more to these posts later but these first couple weeks I've been doing so many new things and meeting new friends and family and getting to know the culture here so I haven't really been on the computer much or carrying my camera around with me. Also whenever i try to take a picture people start shaking their finger at me and yelling at me in Wolof.

Our first week here we stayed in a hotel in Mermoz (a neighborhood in Dakar near our school) and did different activities all week to get introduced to different aspects of Senegalese life, culture, assumptions, beliefs, safety, health, etc. We’ve been learning a lot about Senegalese customs and some of their values that are important to keep in mind when living here, as well as becoming aware of some of our own basic American values that can translate into our behavior. We also went to this cultural center and discussed some topics related to gender differences here, polygamy, the Taliban, do’s and don’ts, etc. and we also got to eat the traditional Senegalese plate for the first time (Which is on the floor around a common bowl) so that we could learn proper food etiquette and how it works here before going into our families. I’ll take a picture of what the traditional plate looks like soon!

Greetings are a HUGE deal in Senegal. If there one thing you need to remember when visiting Senegal it’s the importance of greetings. A greeting is more than a greeting, if you don’t say hello to someone (especially if you’re white and visiting) they take that as a big insult, and it comes off as prude, like you think you're better than them. If you walk by a fruit stand and greet them, then they are your friend! If you don’t greet someone though, and need something later from them or ask a question, they’ll remember you as that person that didn't say hello, and won’t want to help you. Also the people in your neighborhood are the ones who you go to when you need things, or if you have guests over and you don’t have enough food, the neighbor will come and make sure you have enough. This is all part of the spirit of the Teranga. So you better be sure to be on good terms with your neighbors or if you ever need anything you're on your own! When I first arrived I thought I was supposed to say hi to everyone I saw in the street and try and shake everyone’s hand, but I soon realized that wasn't necessarily the case after I got some weird looks.

This is basically how a long Senegalese greeting goes (translated from Wolof) It's a bit shorter in Dakar, but apparently it can be this long especially in the rural parts of Senegal.

Hello!
Hello!

How are you?
I’m good/nice/well, and you?

I’m good, how are you?
Good, I am in Peace.

How goes it!?
It goes great and you?

I’m good as well! Are you in peace?
Yes I am in Peace

Is your family well?
Yes my family is well

And your night last night? It was well?
Yes my night was good last night and I am in Peace

Is your body fine?
Yes my body is well and in Peace

And your family? How are your kids?
My kids are great

Are you sure you’re in Peace?
Yes, I am in Peace thank you

And sometimes it continues or it ends, or it starts all over again. 





At orientation the first week we talked a lot about gender roles here which are pretty different than in the States. We got into groups and each met with one of the students from the Study center of Dakar (we share the facility with them) and we looked at the nature behind certain situations so that we could understand why things are the way they are, by hearing from the Senegalese students about the topics. We talked about some of the reasons behind why western women are approached and often proposed to by Senegalese men, and how to handle those situations. We also talked about polygomy here and how it works, and about women’s roles in society here. Women tend to not be in the street as much, which is one of the reasons why it’s harder for us to make Senegalese female friends. They also tend to stay at home or be at school usually so it’s not easy to run into many Senegalese women. We also got partnered with a Senegalese language partner which was a great way to start making Senegalese friends! I have tons of Senegalese friends now and they're some of the nicest people ever.

Public Transport (sometimes people are on the roof..)

It's interesting how many stereotypes most westerners have about African countries (and they generalize it as one giant place) and I'm realizing that most of the stereotypes we have are just lack of education and ignorance about it. When most people think of Africa, they associate it with poverty, riots, disease, etc. And that's because if we see something like that in the media about one place, we generalize the entire continent. One of my Senegalese friends told me that he had an American staying at his house who thought everyone here would be like Tarzan, and when he told me this he busted out laughing! Something I didn't know before coming here was that Senegal is the only country in Western Africa to never have had a civil war. Everyone I've talked to always says how Senegal is a country of peace, and it's true! Even when you greet strangers they ask you if you are in peace. Something that I really like about Dakar is that while the majority of people are Muslim, people really couldn't care less what religion someone else practices. You'll find households with Christians marrying Muslims all the time. The Muslims I've talked to have said how religion is about their personal relationship with god, and that it is a religion of peace, and this is one of the reasons why Senegal is a very stable country because so many people carry this belief with them. Another thing I noticed that is really different from American cities, is I haven't seen any drunks in the city or any crazy drugged out people walking around. That's not to say that it doesn't exist here, but I actually feel a lot safer here at night then in a city in the USA. Even the program directors have said that the most crime they really have had here with students is pick pocketing and mugging.

Even though Senegal is a poor and under developed country, most of the people I’ve met here have been some of the happiest and positive people I’ve ever met! And everyone says hi to you with a huge smile, and asks about your day. When I compare people’s mentalities here to people who live in New York or somewhere, it’s so different. While here many people are unemployed or are in difficult situations, they’re still always positive and day to day interactions are much more friendly than in the states. Things like family and being at peace are so huge here. In fact being nice isn’t even really a suggestion but an obligation. I'm pretty sure it's true that the less you have the less you complain. Even though it’s a poor country and at first glance you see there is garbage everywhere, an occasional dead cat, it’s not the cleanest, things are run down, etc. after being here for a while I don’t even notice those as much anymore.

Thats all for now, stay tuned!