Wandering Footsteps: Wandering the World One Step at a Time » A travel journal following a family on their overland trip around the world.

Update

Posted in Asia,South AsiaTags:

Here’s an update on the various activities I’m participating in:
1) My first choir practice was last night. It’s ironically on the complete opposite end of town, but it’s worth it. The choir has 99 people in it and definitely sound good. I have mixed feelings about the music (I could do without singing “Let it Snow” and other Christmas songs, AGAIN!) but it feels really good to be in a choir again. Guess I never realized how good and comfortable and content I feel to be in one! Well, now I know! It’s a little comfort of home all the way across the world.
2) Basketball WAS going well. Practices were good, I was getting a lot better fast, and I was having a blast. But we had our first tournament game this morning (at 7am no less) and not only did we lose (Though only by 2 points), but I only played 5 minutes out of a 36 minute game. I’m not used to that because I’m always so good at every sport I play, and it made me feel less confident and less a part of the team. Actually I was borderline ANGRY! I didn’t get up at 5:30 am to sit on the bench! Trust me, coach is getting an earful next time I see him! Plus, I’m actually decent.
3) Work: the most fascinating thing I’m doing. I’ve been there 3 days and already learned and done so much. By talking to some of the volunteers and hearing their grievances, I have begun to ascertain some of the weaknesses and areas where improvement is needed. Thus, I have a really good idea as to the things I can do to help the organization. I actually kind of feel like I’m in a similar position as my dad in his new job, because I have the possibility to take an “average” organization to a whole new level. I am SEEM to have the authority. My boss is hardly there, hasn’t assigned me any tasks, and seems content to let me do whatever I want to the organization. So far it’s perfect – freedom to come and go as I please, freedom to make changes and improvements… just what I was looking for! And the variety of task so far is keeping me engaged enough. So far, then, I give my new job an A! Gosh, I feel like such a big girl!

Update

Posted in Africa,West AfricaTags:



I love Baobob trees. They are plentiful here – I think they might even be the National symbol. If you know me, you know I love trees, and the Baobob is the strongest, and maybe the most beautiful, of all trees.
The other picture was taken at the beach behind Suffolk University (where I am taking my courses). Local people here call it “la piscine”, or “the pool”, and many people like to go swim in there. Apparently, the water is as warm as bathwater. Well, Western bathwater, I guess, because there is no hot water in Senegal.
I need to clear things up. I’ve been misleading in saying that all meals here are eaten with the hands. Some are, like fish. But, as Dakar becomes more and more modern, this traditional way of eating becomes less and less frequent. My family actually usually eats with a spoon (though no knives, even if you need to cut something, like meat). At the Baobob Center, they were just kind of preparing us for the possible. Some families still do eat oily rice with their hands, but that is, nowadays, the minority.
I got a job yesterday. I just happened to walk into the CIEE office at the right moment. Catherine, our coordinator had just gotten off the phone with an American family who was looking for someone to play with their two dogs while they were in Europe for the month. So, 2-3 times a week, I will be going to their home (a 10 minute walk from school) to walk the dogs and give them a little company. I’m kind of excited – I’ll get to chill in air conditioning for a little while, be among animals, and make a little spending money. I start Friday.
Oh man, I have a crazy story. Moussou, my sister, has a boyfriend, Elage. They have only been dating for about 6 months, but she cares very much for him. This weekend he called her to tell her he had something very important he had to tell her, and that he couldn’t do it over the phone. His ethnicity is “Poulaar” instead of Wolof (though he speaks it, as everyone here does), and apparently the Pouls are very traditional. His parents didn’t like him seeing a Wolof, because generally Pouls marry other Pouls. So, they arranged a marriage for him… with his cousin!!! YUCK! And it is to happen tomorrow. Moussou has handled it very well, but obviously it hurts. Elage invited us over for dinner at his house on Monday night, and it was kind of ackward because we met his parents. They were really very nice, but it was hard not to think in our minds that they arranged this crazy marriage for their son while we were talking to them.