I went to the beach today with my host sister, Corine, her fiancée, Michel, her friend, Ellen, Ellen’s husband, Amadou, and my friend Caroline. Here is what I learned at the beach (because every moment is a learning opportunity): Senegalese people are intense. In many different ways, both good and bad, both heartening and distressing,ContinueContinue reading “learning at the beach”
Tag Archives: Senegal
this all feels connected
Written 21 September 2013 My second day in my homestay was September 11. I mentioned this to my Papa, who said: “this is a big day for your country. This day changed your home.” Today, my friend Caroline was over at my house and we were flipping through channels and found the documentary, 102 MinutesContinueContinue reading “this all feels connected”
this is why i came here
written 19 September 2013 We’re sitting outside, my sister and I, the electricity out and searching for the cool breeze. We’re talking about weddings and clothes and what to do when boys harass you on the street as they often do and the pressures for women which exist across cultures. Papa comes out to joinContinueContinue reading “this is why i came here”
when the poem speaks loudly
Every night before I sleep, I read a poem from the best thing I brought to Dakar: Good Poems by Garrison Keillor. I flip through at random and read. Sometimes they speak loudly, sometimes more softly, sometimes it’s hard to hear at all. But I like the process, because when it all aligns and theContinueContinue reading “when the poem speaks loudly”
and so it shall be
Written 16 September 2013 Today seemed like a day of opportunity. Opportunity to learn and to discover. Opportunity to understand and ask questions and listen. Opportunity to laugh and sit and come together and be a part. Opportunity to take time, to think, to rest. Opportunity to greet others and build relationships. Opportunity to workContinueContinue reading “and so it shall be”
she wakes up at six
So, here’s something. I told my host family I like to wake up early (which is true) and told them I usually wake up at six (which is not true, but I said it because I felt bad that I overslept the first morning). They were very impressed, as my host dad wakes up atContinueContinue reading “she wakes up at six”
Bienvenue à Dakar
written 12 September 2013 I have now been in Dakar for a total of about 65 hours. And they have been a wonderful, wonderful 65 hours. This week we are in orientation, so our days have been filled with touring the area surrounding our school and downtown Dakar, lessons on Sénégalese values and how thoseContinueContinue reading “Bienvenue à Dakar”
list-form thoughts of senegal
These are a few random reflections and thoughts that I have scribbled down at various times through my first few days in Sénégal. They are not especially profound or telling, but at the end of these first days I have been so [happily] exhausted that it all comes out in lists: – In the pastContinueContinue reading “list-form thoughts of senegal”
i am here
I write to you from Sénégal! After about 24 hours of travel, some insanity as the group was thrown into immersion French through the insanity of Dakar airport, our first meal, and a much-needed place to put up our feet, we have made it. Tonight we are staying together at a hotel in Dakar andContinueContinue reading “i am here”
it’s leaving time
It’s that time again… I’m off on another adventure! This Sunday afternoon I will jump on a plane that will take me (via a few stopovers) to Dakar, Sénégal in West Africa where I will be living, studying, and working for six months. My bags are packed (I have a thing about being hyper-prepared wayContinueContinue reading “it’s leaving time”
preparations
The following reflections were written over the past few days while I was enjoying the morning light by the lake at my family’s cottage in Northern Michigan and gathering my thoughts as my departure date for Sénégal (September 8) draws nearer. The compilation paints a pretty accurate account of where I am right now: aContinueContinue reading “preparations”
transition(s) and adjustment(s)
In many ways, my life and its surroundings are in transition. In many ways, my life is just smoothing out after eighteen months of constant transition. A list I’ve been making as I reflect on adjustment(s): 1. This is the first time I’ve at all slowed down since before I left for college. Really, sinceContinueContinue reading “transition(s) and adjustment(s)”
callie daniels-howell 