Thursday on the Beach

Gave my presentation this morning! Between my lecture and the question and answer session immediately following it was 45 minutes long, and I certainly could have spoken for half an hour longer without coming close to running out of things to say. I was the very last of 26 presentations on Senegalese Arts, Culture, and Happenings, with today's theme being development and organizations. First was a presentation on the informal Senegalese economy, specifically women who work out of their homes selling things from chickens to wax fabric to little frozen creams in plastic bags. Then was a presentation on the Centre Culturelle Blaise Senghor, a government-funded cultural center designed to support and protect Senegalese culture. Then came a look at the environmental problems of Dakar, easily the dirtiest city I have ever visited, and what is being done to fix the underlying issues. And last but not least, me! On the work of USAID, how it's promoting sustainable development by teaching villagers how to run their own clinics, and how local culture is remaining vibrant while communities strive to alleviate the hardships of poverty. (If you want a copy of my paper to read, I would be more than flattered to email it out to you! I need to do a little touching up, but it's certainly an incredible testament to American tax dollars hard at work, effectively combatting one of the many challenges Senegal must overcome to enrich the lives of its poorest citizens.) Now summer vacation officially begins.

We were handed back today letters to ourselves that we wrote our first week in Senegal -- mine was written my first night in my homestay -- the point of which is to compare our thoughts and impressions from the beginning with our feelings and understanding now. Shockingly enough, much of what I wrote then remain my sentiments at present. From the always juxtaposed modern and traditional influences here, to the overwhelmingly friendly yet jarringly forceful character of many Senegalese people, the cultural analyses I made in that first week have only been deepened and strengthened over the 14 weeks since then. It makes me realize how much is left to learn about this country and this culture -- just how different this is than the United States, and how I haven't yet mastered how to balance my feelings of the universality of all cultures, meaning the similarities I see here, with the huge differences that have defined my every day since February 1st. Tomorrow the first batch of students leave, though for most of us it's not until Saturday. Still, Saturday... I wouldn't want to be here very much longer after the program ends I don't think, I'd feel purposeless, but I could absolutely do another independent study for four more weeks and be beyond content. I feel like I just found my sea legs here, and it's sad to now be leaving. This week on the beach has been wonderful for reflecting though, and even in this moment as I write I am looking out over the most breathtaking beach landscape as the sun is just starting to begin it's descent into the ocean. It's crystal clear to me why the tourists from France and Italy come here -- besides the fact that it's so much cheaper than vacationing in Europe, the beach is beautiful and ideal for lounging about if you can handle the occasionally abrasive Senegalese men, boys and merchants who might pester you while you tan. It's so beautiful and calming. Strong waves, crisp and chill water, thick and hot sun, and large, palm-like fronds and white and pink daffodil-looking flowers serve as garnish around the fences and banisters in all parts of the campement. It's breathtaking.

I'm starting to come to terms with leaving, little pieces bit by bit. The idea of things being so much more expensive. The concept of cleanliness, of super-markets, of hot showers out of a shower-head, they all will be new and highly stimulating at first. I don't know if it's good or bad that I'm delaying my cultural re-entry by two weeks to tour around Europe, though I do hope that a week in Paris and a week in Barcelona will be the perfect 21st birthday present to myself. Maybe staying busy will make the challenges less overwhelming. Inchalla, god willing.

I am going to miss so many things about this place and my life here. Speaking in three languages all the time. Having new challenges and adventures every day. The wonderful people I have become close to here, Senegalese and other American students alike. Re-conceptualizing the value of relationships and time -- now that I've adjusted to the Senegalese way, it's hard to imagine enjoying a routine with no daily greetings, with no excessive lounging, with any type of pressing schedule. I'm going to miss the beautiful weather every day without fail. I'll be overwhelmed I'm guessing by the colors of nature, as even here in this hotel the trees and flowers are more natural beauty than I've seen in weeks. The colors of wall murals and clothing are commonly pause-worthy, but the idea of a park or a forest seems completely foreign to me right now. It's fascinating how quickly we adjust to new and different things when we need to -- it seems like not that long ago that I was talking about how one of the things I miss most about Seattle when I'm in New York is how much greenery there is in the Northwest all the time. To think that now I'm scared of seeing so many plants, so little dirt, so little sand.

No news from Diarra, which I'm hoping is good news. Soukeyna and Aby have been sick this week as well, but it sounds like everyone is plowing through. Haven't spoken to them since Tuesday night though, so I'll call again soon.

Think I'm going to finish up on the computer and take a little walk on the beach now, keep my head clear. I feel very at peace, though sad about leaving to be sure. It's just wild that the semester flew by like this. Even when I knew it would. Makes me realize just how strong I can be when I think about how much I already yearn to have an adventure like this again despite all the hard parts, maybe in a new place, maybe back in Senegal. Lots of reflecting and processing left to do before then though, that is certain. Bisous. (Kisses.)