Journal Entry

Today, one year ago, I was installed into Fode Bayo in the dead-heat of early afternoon.  A few hours later, the chief of the village died, and three days after that, one of my host moms had a baby girl named Tida.  No such excitement thus far this year, (which I’m ok with).

Having been in Fode Bayo for one year, (and Senegal for 14 months), I’ve decided to make a few lists.

I have not done the following things for the past 12-14 months:

– eaten a burrito

– driven

– smoked a cigar

– drank real coffee

– even seen root beer

– worn high-heels

– used a hair-dryer

Before coming to Senegal/living in Fode Bayo, I didn’t know/had not:

– that a “moon-shadow’ was anything more than a song

– how to carve/eat mangos fresh off of a fall from the nearest tree

– what a baobab tree actually looked like, or that it had fruit

– experienced, not just witnessed, but actually been the direct subject of malicious racism

– that cashews grew from the bottom of fruits on trees – and that the fruits are actually really good

– been in a car (two cars to date) that while moving, had a wheel pop off, followed by everyone in the vehicle sighing like “oh again” and plop down on the side of the road for the driver to quickly bolt it back on

– eaten home-made mayo, unrefrigerated eggs, yogurt enough that it was normal (for my stomach as well)

– that 98% of the goods and services I would need in country I would have to bargain for (FRUSTRATING but a good skill to acquire)

– what millet was, what it tasted like, or that it was about the best damn thing ever if cooked with beans

– the little bissap popsicles sold by ladies on the street corners in grubby little bags would be such and integral part of my sanity here

HURRAH!