Things continue to get crazier here in Senegal, in every sense of the word. Long story short, I just got back last night from spending my first 3 days at with my "homestay" family, which was the most awkwardly amazing experience I've probably ever had in my entire life. To give you a little bit of perspective, I went to ONE language training class, which lasted for about an hour and a half, in Puula Futta (I discovered I butchered the spelling in my last email), and the NEXT night, I was watching TV with a family of maybe 2-dozen who spoke nothing BUT Puula Futta. Immersion? I think so...
It was easily the most challenging part of our training so far, but also one of the most rewarding; it was a time that further assured me that this is really happening. It was also a good time to practice not being self-conscious, considering I couldn't communicate much of anything at all to my family, which pretty much laughed at me the whole time. But a big part of the Senegalese culture is to make fun of one another, and I never once felt unwelcome or uncomfortable with them poking fun at me, I would have laughed at me, too. My days were spent going to language classes in Puula Fuuta with the 5 other volunteers who are learning the language and stopping back home with my family for lunch (which I ate in my room because it's Ramadan and everyone else is fasting) and then spending the evening awaiting the 9:30pm dinner after our fast-breaking. The thing I'm most proud of is that my Puula Fuuta classes are taught in French, so I have to use my second language to learn my third...what?
My room is a sauna and pretty much resembles a cell of sorts, but it's better than I ever could have expected. And if I ever get discouraged with my new environment, I can just remember that the city I'm living in is called Pout (pronounced "poot")! My family is extremely respectful of my privacy, and are all very helpful with everything and trying to help me learn the language. Another challenge for us Americans living the Senegalese life is getting used to losing a bit of our independence, because people will always be trying to do things for us. It has it's advantages though; if I ever say "no wuli" (I'm hot), my little brother comes over and fans me...it's an even trade, I taught him the exploding fist pound.
There's way to much to report and way too many things I could talk about, and soon hopefully my emails will be able to be more in depth about a few specific events, rather than trying to relay this barrage of experiences within a few paragraphs. Please don't hesitate to respond to my emails and let me know how things are going; I love to hear from you all, and thanks to those of you who've written me already!
Talk to you soon!
Mido aarde,
Steve "Sully" Sullivan
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