Class generally starts 10 - 15 minutes later than it is supposed to, generally because the professor isn't even there. No homework has been assigned yet. I have not received a single book. Each class is knocked out in one day rather than dividing up a three-hour-class into three one-hour sessions. I can walk to school in thirty minutes or take a car rapide for .25 cents or a taxi for about $2. My shoes are constantly filled with sand since the sidewalks randomly decide to not exist in certain places. In the centre-ville of Dakar, everything is paved - not so in the outskirts of centre-ville and I'm betting even less so in the outskirts of the city of Dakar, which is enormous. On a map, Dakar is a tiny little dot, but in reality, it encompasses a huge area and is divided into numerous sections.
My host sister and her friend own a shop somewhere in town - I'm going there today to pick out a larger purse and some material to have some skirts made. I know, however, that no matter how Senegalese I dress, they will always know that I am not. :) It's just nice to try to immerse myself in the culture as much as possible.
Interesting facts:
It costs .50 cents per minute to call the US but .80 cents to call from the US to Senegal
I do not think that clouds exist in Senegal
An "auntie" comes to the house and gives a woman a massage every day for two weeks after she has a baby
American movies are enjoyed here
The water in the ocean is clean
Strangers find it amusing when you respond in the native language of Wolof (A vendor today said Nanga def - how are you - as I was walking by. I responded with Maangi fi rekk - I'm doing fine. He and his friends were dumbfounded.)
Western-style dress is widely accepted among students
If a class is canceled, there is no way to discover that until you reach your destination and find the classroom empty or void of a teacher
You can buy a banana for .25 cents
The metric system is used here: I bought 10L of water for $2
Fried eggs over spaghetti is surprisingly delicious
EVERYBODY loves to dance
Muslims and Christians live side by side, work together, eat together, chill together, live together
You don't flush the toilet - you dump water in it from a bucket
When speaking, words are often slurred together (instead of Tu as, it could come out Chew as, and result in lack of understanding on my end
These are some of the most hospitable people in the world
If a guy asks a girl out (on a date, as friends) it is understood that he will pay
Trying to explain "swag" is quite an interesting endeavor
Nothing is efficient and nothing is well-organized (in comparison to the States, and this is mainly in reference to the universities here) but you must be at meals on time
It is extremely useful to carry around note cards to write down new words and phrases
Taxis honk as they pass if they don't have a passenger
I enjoy eating with my hands (actually, only my right one since the left is considered dirty)
It is essential to carry toilet paper everywhere
Dogs roam around the city but don't seem to have owners
We take for granted so many things in the US
Relationships are considered priority and valued higher than anything else - if you are late because you stopped to talk to a friend in the street, then you are late, so be it
Hope all is going well in snowy Ohio!!! Until next time...
- Miranda
Miranda!
ReplyDeleteI love all your photos and it sounds like you are having a great time so far. I too love surprising the locals with my language abilities (though they soon realize I studied in Argentina hahah). I can´t believe we are so far away but are still able to keep in touch like this. It makes me so happy :) I also have discovered the importance of relationships in South America. It is really important to have a network of close friends because help comes from all sides when you need it the most. And I also carry around toilet paper like it is my job. Thanks to Charmin´s on the go packets hahah.
Good question about the determinants of trust in societies. I would love to hear more about Senegal and how it compares to South America in terms of trust issue.
Miss you and love you lots!
Laura
Hey Miranda,
ReplyDeleteSengal seems a world different than the U.S. I cannot imagine someone being willing to walk for up to half an hour to make it to school or their job even. Are the taxi drivers typically working for a company, or is this an independent job?
I am intrigued by the this culture, especially the fact that you can be late for everything except dinner and putting relationships before all else. Maybe this is something people in the U.S. should try to do this a little more instead of hurrying everywhere (I say as I am staring at my Palm planner in my hand). I am very excited to learn more about this culture and your interesting encounters.
Oh! I also had something else! I just wanted to mention that, although you say the people are "connected" I am surprised that you do not know if class is canceled until you get there. Does the university have a website that they post updates on, or anything similar to WebCT? On the "ice" day we had in Marietta, it was amazing just how many ways I was contacted (call in my room, on my phone, at home, and a text).
ReplyDeleteHave you discovered the reason they consider the left hand dirty? I believe I know; it's not really that uncommon, but still...
ReplyDeleteMiranda, Is it possible to lable the pictures the next time you place them on your blog?
ReplyDeleteMomma B
Do you think that the different ideals of time and concepts of being "late" effect the society in a negative or positive way?
ReplyDeleteHey Miranda!
ReplyDeleteI know this blog post was from a long time ago but I finally got a chance to read everything! It sounds like you are really adapting to life in Senegal, which is really great! I had a few comments about this particular blog. It is very interesting to see that there is such a difference in how organization and efficiency are viewed between the people of Senegal and Americans. I was reading about African cultures in one of our textbooks for Lead 203 and it explained that African cultures are very multi-active cultures. Some characteristics of multi-active cultures are extroversion, lack of punctuality, and unpredictable timetables. Also, the books said that the people are normally very talkative and people-oriented. Reading your other blogs, I noticed that you emphasize that time is not regarded in Senegal as being very important. Also, relationships are very important and considered a priority. I was just wondering if you had any specific experiences relating to these characteristics. From your experience, do you agree that Senegal is a multi-active culture?