Guys, this is tough. Funny, but at the same time tough. I have so much more respect for people who have studied abroad in cultures that are even more non-Western than Dakar. I don't want to sugar coat this experience for you because then there would be no point in even having this blog. So, I'm telling like it is: living in other cultures, especially when one has access to their home culture is very wishy washy. I think that it would be easier if we didn't have such a large group of us here. For then we would all feel it more necessary to become a part of the local culture in a faster manner. Don't get me wrong, we all came here with the goal of speaking and living the local life style as much as possible. if we hadn't then we wouldn't even be here. However, I notice that we resort to English without even thinking about it, when we are around one another. I'm seriously thinking about being that odd person that allows people to only speak to them in French or Wolof. Would that be ok?
So though I remembered in my last post that I haven't really spoken about my family, I totally forgot to say anything! Well, I have a really big family: a mother, an uncle, 6 sisters, 4 brothers, 5 nieces, 2 nephews, two Canadian Med students, and two maids, all of which live in our house! Thank goodness I have my own bedroom and bathroom, which is rather rare here. So in that way I've been spoiled. It's interesting having such a large family, for on one hand I always have someone new to talk to but on the other it can become very tiring living with so many people.
My sister Yacine (who is actually the niece of my brother's wife) is living with us while she goes to university to become a lawyer. Her family lives in South Senegal. Yacine is basically my "mom." I say this because Maman Therese really just manages the household, and for the rest of her time she rests in her large apartment in the house with her brother from Paris who is currently staying with us. Theres, Mami Joe, and younger Therese are unmarried and are the daughters of Maman Therese. I know that Therese works in a fabric shop, but I have no clue what the other two do whatsoever. Most of their time is spent watching tv, no joke. I have seen way too many soap operas and music videos here already haha. All of the unmarried girls in the house live on the second floor near me and Maman Therese.
Two of my brothers, Babacar and El Hadj, are unmarried and go to university. Babacar is the only one that lives on the first floor where all of the family rooms are located (except for the Canadians). El Hadj lives on the 3rd floor with another of my sister's (Aida) and her husband and three children Arame Yvonne (7), Zainai (4), and Babacar Mamadou (2). My other brother, Alboury, and his wife Aida (the aunt of Yacine) live across the house on the second floor with there three children Aida (5), Anna (2), and Baby Aida (4.5 months). Of all the women and men in the household, Alboury and his wife Aida are the most warm and welcoming. Aida is so sweet, an dI always want to give her a hug. Everyday she sincerely asks me how I am and how my day went. It is not rushed, and her smile keeps me lingering to continue talking to her.
The other night she taught me how to carry Baby Aida on my back. First one ties a small cloth around your neck, so that the rest of the cloth drapes down your back, creating friction for the baby and a convenient spit up rag. then you bend over, and place the baby on the lower half of your back. Taking a piece of cloth that is a square with ties at the top and at the bottom, you wrap this around the baby, tying the top above your breasts and the bottom around your hips. Then, to keep the baby warm and to add a bit of color to this baby backpack, you wrap a scarf around yourself. I was nervous at first that the baby would fall, but after walking around with her, it became evident that she wasn't going to fall. Aida explained to me that women carry the baby on their back because if they were to fall forward this would keep the baby safe. I thought about what if I were to fall backward. But, then I realized that it's really rare for someone to fall backward here. During my two weeks here, I have already realized how people help others to not fall backward here, especially those with children.
Talking about children, I really should tell you about the kids. They are so different from one another, with such strong personalities! I'll go by age to make it easier.
First, there is Arame Yvonne. What a lovely countenance she has. She is seven years old, but you would think that she was 9! She is the one who helps me the most with my French because she has been learning it for about 3 years alongside her Wolof in school. She is very patient with me, of which I am thankful. Also, we have recently attempted to teach each other our different naming games for body parts. She will teach me the one in Wolof, and then I will teach her the one in English. You know, "Head, shoulders, knees, and toes, knees and toes…" etcetera. She has a lot of fun, as do I for she is quite the entertainer, making sure everyone takes their fair turn in the games. The Wolof song goes something like this:
Tonk, loxo, nopp Feet, shoulders, ears
Tonk, loxo, nopp Feet, shoulders, ears
Bekkin, bott, boot, gammin Nose, throat, eyes, mouth
Aida is quite different than her older cousin. While Arame Yvonne has begun to learn how to respond to social situations, Aida is at the age when she it easily overcome with jealousy and self-esteem. It's totally not a bad thing. it's just simply funny to see myself in this 5 year old girl. When I do not have the strength to swallow my pride, I usually separate myself from others. Aida does the same. Her feelings will be hurt by someone, but instead of crying or screaming (like the younger children), she walks away, having anger inside of her. It is difficult for her to let go of the small hurts at this age. However, Aida has the most personality. She has belief in herself.
The little ones can be the cutest things while at the same time the most mischievous. I hardly see Zainai, but when I do she never ceases to ask "Comment tu t'appelles?" which means "what is your name?" I laugh every time and respond "Tu sais comment je m'appelle." She smiles, and she says "Laura!" I smile, and we laugh. It's our little game.
Anna and Babacar, the youngest, keep me going. While Anna gives me "big" kisses, Babacar plucks my nose and gives his signature laugh as an approval to me playful reaction. These kids are little cutie-pies!
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