Normality

So I was talking online with my mom and dad the other day, since I can do that now that we have internet at home. (Yes, I quite possibly am one of the most spoiled Peace Corps Volunteers). It was my host mom’s idea! She figured since both my sister and I go to the cyber often enough, this is worth it! Awesome! Anyways. In talking to mom, my real one that I love the most, I realized there are quite a few things that have become normal and sometimes I need to take a step back and realize that I am living in Africa and some people consider that kind of different!

For example, every day I get up and get a sandwich for breakfast. At first I prided myself in getting out of the family compound but really there is no choice for milk and cereal. One because there is no grocery store to provide Honey Bunches of Oats and two, because I have no way of keeping milk cold. I was told I would be given a fridge but it hasn’t happened yet. These sandwiches are amazing though! The only type of bread here is like a fresh French baguette. And I get either an onion sauce, or hard boiled eggs and mayo, or spaghetti noodles with a spicy oil sauce. Not exactly pancakes but delicious! Chebb u jën or rice and fish for lunch and most every night I eat with my hands. Not to mention that I never use my left hand for anything anymore! No big deal!

Another thing that is normal is falling back on French. My language skills have really improved. Dad reminded me of this when he mentioned that in my last blog entry I said that I understand Wolof. The truth is for the most part I do. And when I don’t understand, I ask for clarification in French. I never thought English could be so useless! Don’t get me wrong, I love getting together and having care free conversations in English but I also really like that I can get away with my other two languages just after four months.

Bambey is now my home. It took a while to call it that but I absolutely love going away for the weekend and then coming back to sleep in my bed and use my shower. My family is very nice and I rarely can walk outside without someone shouting “OURIA”. Have I mentioned I’m the famous white person and that everyone wants to shake my hand? I don’t know what I am going to do when people don’t greet me in America. I may be very upset! All you have to do is ask about the weather and where I am going and where I was. I can always say, “I was there” and “I’m going for a walk” and “No, it’s not cold here, I am from a place where there is snow”. I am going to melt in April…

Overall, my life has started to become normal here and you will need to remind me to explain things for you. Like if you call me during the call to prayer you probably won’t be able to hear me, and rather my two nearest mosques that compete for airtime. Yet, it doesn’t faze me and I sleep right through them now. Muslim holidays are completely normal and honestly, don’t eat anything the day before and you won’t even need to the day after since the food is so good and there is too much to eat. Cold Fantas and Cokes have replaced other beverages that I used to drink casually but neex na! they are good! Please let me know if there is anything you want me to explain since I would love to! I didn’t know anything about this country before getting here and since I love it so much, I’ll answer anything because honestly, I’d like to help you understand a bit of my normal world a few thousand miles away from yours!