Sickness in Senegal...That should be the name of my blog

I've been sick since Sunday and it hasn't exactly been the greatest way to spend my time here in Senegal, that'll I'll admit. At first, the sickness began at my throat but after a day in travelled to my head and now it resides respectfully within the two. I have no appreciation for the sickness, but the optimist in me has to say that as a future Medical Anthropologist it has allotted me the experience of sickness within another culture. Of course, I can't really tell whether going to the doctor/taking medications is preferred in my household, or whether my family is overcautious because I'm a student under their care. I find a bit of both to be the case. Since Sunday, when I started becoming fatigued, etc., I returned home from spending the night at a friend's house named Amy. Admittedly I was out dancing the Saturday night before until 6AM (In my defense my Senegalese friends refused to leave until around 1:30am in the morning because the clubs aren't bouncing until that time) —needless to say Senegalese nightlife is non-existent, everything happens in the morning lol.

I personally attribute this bout of sickness to that night as I rarely slept and ate only bread and pieces of spaghetti (the only vegetarian offering at my friend's house of carnivores lol). I was still very appreciative of their hospitality and had lots of fun dancing since we went out with Nathan's Senegalese family. At one point during the night I found myself in another tug of war position, only this time it was between a very buff Senegalese dude and my friend Fatou (Nathan's sister) who was trying to save me. Senegalese men don't really understand the concept of no and depending on whether or not you like dancing for 4 hours straight this can be a very good or a very bad thing lol. I sweated bullets that night!

Anyways, back to my sickness...I've been sick, and it is quite the sickness I must say. I've been attempting to combat it with natural remedies (Garlic cloves—recommended by Jos, honey and tea, and oranges—lots and lots of oranges, I ate five today) but to no avail I'm afraid. The biggest problem I have has so far is the fatigue and a terribly sore throat. It's one of the worst I've ever had as it has definitely lasted the longest. I'm hoping I'll be better by this weekend because I am planning to go along with some friends, Nicole, Cameron, Moussa (Nicole's Senegalese BF :) ), and Pap (Cameron's brother), and Pap's marabout to visit a very famous mosque and possibly the marabout's village. Pap told me there will be music and food—two of my favorite things—so of course I can't resist but tag along. The trip itself will cost about $30.00 to cover transportation and food, a bit pricy since I'm a cheapo, but I am looking forward to spending every last cent on this occasion. I think I'll go even if I am sick (everyone cross their fingers and hope that I'm not!).

In addition, I wanted to sing the praises of my friend Jos who I have grown a profound respect for since my stay in Senegal. If you don't recall, Jos is from Chad and I've found him to be a great friend and language partner. Rosie, Tasha, and I haven't seen him in weeks because he went into hibernation to study for exams/write papers, but yesterday was the first day he was finally free to hang out again and he invited us over for dinner. When we arrived I found that he and his cousin had prepared a meat dish for Tasha and Rosie and that he had separately prepared peas, eggs, and french fries for me. I thought it to be the kindest thing hahaha. He also had an array of fruits for us to eat, like papaya, oranges, and bananas. Once again, I'm pretty sure I ate all of his oranges and finished about 3/4ths of the bowls of peas and eggs. Quite delicious I must say thanks Jos! I hope he reads this and understands it one day lol.

Something that I must comment on before I finally retire to bed, (I need my get better sleep—2AM as of now) is how flattered I am by the kindness of people in Senegal, and as I am discovering, people from other African countries as well—such as Chad and Guinea. Even though I'm sure Jos knows that we can pay for ourselves for everything, he always insists on getting taxis/bus fares/buying bread or snacks, and the dinner he made for us last night was absolutely lovely. When I visit the families of other students, they never hesitate to invite me to eat dinner with them and afterwards there is always 2 or 3 rounds of Attaya (Senegalese Tea, it means tea in Wolof).

I am so grateful that I am here, having these experiences and meeting these wonderful people because I have learned so very much from all of them (Even the meaner over-protective one's like Tasha's mom lol). Rosie's mom is also always very kind to me and always offers me drinks/food and loves to chat when I am over. Above all, I feel that their kindness is genuine and I never hesitate to give back when the chance arrises. I often find myself buying fruit for friends and family. One of my favorite things to do here is share my food or food that I have bought originally for myself. I always get more than I need because I know I'll want to share lol.

I've decided this is what I love about Senegalese, perhaps African culture, the most and I will take this back to Texas with me and carry it with me wherever my travels take me—like this summer to intern in Nicaragua at La Isla Foundation! Also, as a forewarning to all of the people in the Service House and my family and friends, I am going to learn how to cook Ceebu Jen, and then I'm going to cook a whole bunch of it and we're all going to eat around the bowl :). I've also decided to incorporate this into my future eating style in the future because I much prefer it to eating alone off my own plate. You will all sing its praises when you understand just how delicious Ceebu Jen really is....yes, DELICIOUS.

As a side note, I have received two letters (from My daddy and my friend Rachel, during my stay in Senegal and have just bought postage (which is so expensive here!) and I will be sending responses soon! Sorry you've been waiting so long guys, receiving letters is so much fun and I'm sorry I haven't yet returned the favor, they will be sent tomorrow I promise!

As another side note, today was my Yaay's birthday hahaha. I had a lost in translation moment and didn't realize it even though the house was decorated with ballons and the family was over on a Wed rather than the usual Sunday. Half-way through the night my Yaay says, Marissa do you know it's my birthday today? (all cute like :) ) and I said no! YAAY! And was so embarassed that I didn't realize what was happeing. No one had told me anything so I was completely unaware her birthday was even coming up and I felt so out of place since everyone was dressed nicely and I was dressed in my sick comfy clothes lacking a present. Still, the night was a lot of fun even though I mostly just sat around in my sickness haha. They got a couple of really good photos of my with my Yaay and I can't wait to post those up :). Everyone will understand my appreciation for her after they see them I'm sure lol.

As a last side note, while walking home today (around 7pm since I stayed late to work on a school project) two dudes who were running on the sidewalk came up on either side of me. At first they kept up their jog beside me and one of them started talking to me in French telling me I should run with them. I laughed and tried to communicate I was sick and lazy in Wolof and French. They continued a jogging pace next to my walk, and engaged me in a conversation about exercise and how it is good for you haha. It was so random. I found out that both of the guys were from Guinea, where the group is planning to go for Spring Break, and asked them if they could right me a list of places to visit while in Guinea. They said they would and then they asked me about school and what I was doing in Senegal etc and I did the same. Afterwards they gave me their numbers and I gave them mine and as we were approaching my neighborhood I told them to run ahead of me because my Senegalese mother doesn't like guys (an excuse at the time but probably true) hahaha. So they ran ahead of me together and told me to get better and to have a nice day. It was only after they left I realized that they had successfully wingman-ed me. Haha I assumed since there were two of them and since they both were talking to me they only wanted to be friends, and maybe I'm right, but we'll see—no calls or txts yet so at least they're not like the stalkers who get Tasha's number (and call her literally 24/7) hahahaha...until her phone was stolen that is...she'll be mad if she reads this! Hahaha...funny stuff. The first and only time that has ever worked on me lol.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week, and good luck on midterms SMUSHIES/SMU students!