Welp in my rush to finish blogging yesterday, I forgot to mention an important detail. Friday was the day the families came to pick us up from the hotel. I'd like you to try to imagine a scene similar to that of a pet shop. About 50 puppies lined the sidewalk waiting eagerly for a family to come by, pick them up, and take them home. All of us were nervous as hell and as the number of us dwindled down, nerves turned to excitement. I was picked up towards the beginning and I have to admit, I probably was the most nervous. At one point, there was this older senegalese woman who came on to the scene like a wind of laughter and colors. She was wearing a bright turquoise and purple traditional dress with a purple head wrap. She was in fact, a very vibrant woman and greeted everyone with loud laughter. When everyone first saw her all of the girls, including me, giggled and smiled wondering who's mother she'd be. Then Alain, the housing director, said, “Marissa, votre mama est ici.” Everyone burst into laughter because they thought we were such a good match. She gave me a big hug and helped me put my suit cases into the taxi.

I thought the ride home was going to be a long one, but it actually took less than 5 min. My home is on the outskirts of Sacre Coeur, the borderline between Sacre Coeur 3 and Mermoz. A little farther from the other students, but nonetheless, perfect walking distance from the school. I have to say, with respect of course, that I wasn't expecting the house that I came home to. It is...well, rather huge. On the outside it is a pale white building three floors high if you count the terrace and on the inside the floors are covered with tile. The walls are mostly white with some chipping paint here and there, but all in all, it is probably on the higher end of senegalese households. My room is on the second floor where I have a bed, a nightstand, a dresser, and a table to put my belongings. I also have a giant white mosquito net with holes in it... :), I'm sure it is going to prove to be most effective.

My family also happens to be quiet found of animals as Yaye owns 2 dogs. One is called Chocolat and the other Jacquier, we also have 4 goats who make noises all night long. They have become my sporadic alarm clocks that inspire laughter. Two of the goats are pregnant, so maybe I'll get to see some baby goats by May! Yaye says that if they are born while I'm here she'll name them after me :) and well, that's always a treat.

When I finally got to talking to Yaye, the conversation started out very slowly as I was quite timid. I had forgotten pretty much everything they had shared with us in the family orientation but as soon as I asked about the family she got excited and showed me pictures of her immediate and extended family. Yaye has 4 sons and 3 girls. One of her sons is married to a german lady, and one of her daughters is married to a Frenchman. Another son who's name is Edward, just recently got married and I met him and his wife today. She is also pregnant!!! (also being...her and the goats lol). Despite how much I wanted to touch her belly and talk about her pregnancy, it is taboo to do so in Senegalese culture, at least we were told so. So I'll have to suppress my American tendencies to spoil and interrogate pregnant women for now. Yaye also has 4 grand children and I believe I'll have the fortune to meet 3 of them.

After sharing pictures of our families, (I only had one picture of my family that I had taken at the airport—and my senegalese family was thrilled to see my father wearing a cowboy hat—way to be tejano dad), our attention was turned to the television set to watch the news. If you don't already know, it is a very important political time for Senegal as the elections are being held in February. Democracy is still a relatively new concept here in Senegal, as the country was socialist until 2000 when the youth movement elected Wade and the democratic party. Friday was the day the candidates were announced by the council and the entire country was tuning in to see whether or not Wade (the current president) would be approved as a candidate. I recommend researching this in order to understand the situation in its entirety because there is plenty of history to be covered here, but nevertheless, allow me to attempt to explain the circumstances that currently worry the Senegalese people. It's quite a scandal actually. The majority of Senegalese people, including my family and everyone I've met so far, believe that Wade has been in office for too long and that he is too old to run again. Nevertheless, there is a council (who happened to be appointed by Wade) that chooses candidates approved to run “based upon a list of criteria” although the public is unaware of that criteria.

On friday, my family and I were watching the news in order to find out whether or not Wade had been approved as a candidate because if he is approved there is a good chance that he will be “elected” president. Let me explain it to you how Yaye explained it to me, if his candidacy is approved despite the wishes of the Senegalese people, it means that he stole his way into gaining approval by bribing the council. Since Wade is a millionaire, it will be easy for him to buy the electorate by paying citizens to vote for him (at the very least). If Wade becomes president, “democracy” in Senegal won't exactly be democratic and Senegal will be faced with an individual who has manipulated democratic processes into a sort of dictatorship.

So, needless to say, my entire family was glued to the TV and my cousin was listening to the radio. When the news finally came, my family reacted with sounds of anguish. They discussed among themselves in Wolof so I didn't really understand what was going on but I figured by the general sentiment of the room. All I could think was...damn. My mom stayed up watching the TV last night, as there was live footage of the protests, and I tried my best to accompany her. I eventually retired to the room where I listened to music until I fell asleep.

Saturday morning, I awoke to the realization that I had forgotten my shampoo and conditioner in the Taxi. Luckily, I had travel size soaps in my suitcase so I went ahead and took a very cold shower. The bathroom here is set up quite curiously if I may add. It is probably about 5 feet in length and 3 or 4 ft in width...or if you're looking for an english translation...tiny as hell lol. Just about the size to fit a toilet. The shower is actually hooked to the wall and falls just in front of the toilet, so I'm basically taking a shower standing next to a toilet. Yes, it is an awkward situation since I'm not used to getting water everywhere but I actually find it quite ingenious...what a way to save space!

After my shower I went down stairs to have breakfast and Yaye and Gizele were there to greet me. Breakfast was bread, oranges, and chocolate with tea. I should take time to mention here, that not all Senegalese families eat around the bowl. For example, my family is catholic and does not eat around the bowl, they're eating habits are more westernized as they use plates, forks, and spoons. After breakfast Gizele took me to buy some shampoo and upon my return we watched an American movie together (Honey 2 dubbed in French) and talked about school, languages, and life. I enjoyed talking to Gizele although she is terribly soft-spoken—she wants to be an engineer like her uncles and can speak 4 or 5 languages including spanish. I still haven't met Angelique because she's been bedridden and ill for the past couple of days, but I'm hoping to have a conversation with her because Yaye told me today she works with Human Rights and Women's Rights. I laughed at the similarities. Really Alain (housing director)? Could you have been more right on? Two words—you rock.

Later on in the day I decided to venture on my own into Sacre Coeur 3 to see if I could find where my friend Rosie was living. I remembered what her neighborhood looked like since they had showed us on the tour of Sacre Coeur and I was determined to visit her since she lost her phone and is excommunicated from the world. I walked for about 5 min and got to an alley I recognized. I saw a shop keeper and stopped to greet (always greet before you ask anything!!) and then asked whether or not he knew where the American was staying. After a brief description he confirmed it being Rosie and he told me she was staying to the house on the left of his store. I knocked on the door and Rosie's sister came to the door. I said hello and asked if Rosie was in and she said yes (at the same time Rosie walked out) and we exchanged hellos and excitement :). Rosie showed me around her home and introduced me to her family—2 brothers and 2 sisters I believe. They were all very hospitable and loving and Rosie's mom (who was a very sweet sweet woman) said I was always welcomed to come see her baby (rosie hehe). The family invited me to have lunch with them and I sat around the bowl. Rosie's family did eat around the bowl but with a slight variation, the usage of spoons. I was hesitant to eat first, since I had just had lunch at my house, but I didn't want to be rude since they were gracious enough to offer. Also, I'm pretty sure none of it was vegetarian, but I did eat a bit of the rice and carrots to be polite. Afterwards I thanked them and mentioned that I was vegetarian and already had had lunch. We had a pleasant conversation and after lunch Rosie's brother made tea touba which was delicious—best I've had yet, while we watched the incredibles dubbed in French (Monsieur Incroyable buahaha..) Rosie and I also took turns trying to make the tea, which consists of transferring the tea rapidly from one small glass into another in order to mix properly and gather foam--the more foam, the better the tea--and needless to say, we failed and spilled the tea lol.

Rosie came to visit my house when we had finished eating and on our way home we ran in to Mackee who happened to be one of the 7 guys in the program. I invited him to my home as well and when we arrived my mom greeted them happily and gave them a tour of my home. They were impressed by the size just as much as I was. Edward (my brother) and Serene (his pregnant wife) were sitting on the couch when we arrived and I introduced myself and my friends. We all watched french comedians after that and drank Bissap juice together.

I think this blog may be running a bit long so I think I'll cut it off here for now. I'll end it by saying I really enjoyed my day because I had the fortune of meeting Rosie's family and Edward and Serene—all who were very kind to me.

I hope you guys are doing well and not missing me too much! I'm having such a wonderful time here in Senegal :).

(this is covering Friday and Saturday; Since I don't have Wi-fi at my house I got a bit behind. So I'll just start again tomorrow although today (monday) was my first day of school :) )