annoying

Today had some highs and lows. It started out with my community counterpart coming over and slipping “you need to buy me a phone” into the conversation. I said no, but I had to hear about how I’m a bad person for the rest of the day. That was annoying.

Yesterday I went to the local forestry office to introduce myself and discuss my favorite topic, plants. Overall it was a success with him promising me eucalyptus trees to plant as a wind-break for the women’s garden I am supposedly a part of (truthfully this will be my first contribution, I just found the damn thing today.)

The meeting had one low point when the man told me and the other volunteer I was with that we should bring a Senegalese person back with us when we go to America. When we said that would be hard to do he said “oh, because you don’t like blacks.” Personally, I was in favor of just letting that one go, but my fellow volunteer was feeling more socially conscious and explained the visa difficulties and costs.

A group of American high school students are coming to my village to do a Senegalese home stay for about a week. I don’t know anything about it, except its some sort of cultural exchange program called “Where There Be Dragons.” I really think they should rethink the name, or at least use a different one while in country.

I was chatting with one of the 14-year-old girls I live with and she said “It always seems like foreigners are coming here, which is nice, but I never hear about Senegalese going over there.” That was sad, and true. I said it’s because the Senegalese don’t have any money. It sounded a little harsh, but it’s the truth and I doubt any of these dragon hunters are on welfare.

Comments

[Carolyn Larochelle]

Hi. I came across your blog while trying to learn about Senegal.

Reading this blog I realize that my daughter could, in fact, be staying with you. MT. What a small world!!!!

If so, how is it going? How is her health?

Thank you for your hospitality.

[Carolyn Larochelle]

P.S. I love your blog. I, too was a PCV--in Zaire (now DRC) '78-'80. Wish I could have blogged back then. Instead I have a water stained journal.