Culture Shock, again

I extended my layover in Paris so I would come home the 24 instead of the 14. Paris is this buffer zone between Senegal and home: it's developed, but closer in culture to Dakar.

But it is really weird seeing big buildings. And clean streets. Fancy shops...
oh, and it's freezing. Can't get more shocking than that!

I kind of wish I hadn't extended my flight for so long, because all I want to do is crawl into my bed with some movies and a cup of hot tea. Being in Paris is great, I just feel like I have to be constantly doing something and taking advantage of my time here. Because when will I be getting back here?

still...less than a week till I'm back in the states.

The end (almost)

I can't believe it's finally over.

Well, the ISP that is. Still got a few more days here, but I get to spend them lounging at the beach or in an air conditioned hut with Wifi. There's still the presentation on Friday, but as far as I'm concerned it's done. Robin and I went and printed them today at the University. There was only one guy open because it's sort of still Tabaski, so of course we ended up spending about an hour there. But it's done.


Now I need to start getting my sleep cycle back on schedule and perhaps getting rid of this head cold once and for all. Not sleeping for about 4 days can do that...

Final(s) Week

As of today, I have approximately 5 days left in Dakar.
This past week has been one of the most stressful experiences since I've gotten here, and maybe in my entire life. Let me explain before I come off as too dramatic.

For all of you kids back at school, I know finals week is making you nuts and you're probably flipping out about the millions of papers and exams. This stress is a little different...

number of electronic appliances stolen: 5
number of ISPs yet to be finished: 2
number of muggings involving a machete: 1
number of fingers that Jamie almost thought she lost to poor circulation this morning: 10
number of sheep about to be slaughtered next to my room: 6
number of invitations to Tabaski parties: 7+

Printed Pants

Last week I went to the tailors with 6 meters of fabric I bought in Kedougou. After a crazy drawing session, I came up with a few designs that I thought might work. It was a bit difficult to explain them to the tailors, considering they were very detailed and very...western: a dress with a sweetheart neckline and bootleg pants. He said that he would try and have them done by Saturday, but it would be difficult considering Tabaski (Eid al Fitr), or Fête des Moutons is this Tuesday and everyone is getting new clothes made. But Robin stopped by yesterday and said that everything was done.

We went over before dinner to pick up the clothes. They had done the dress pretty well, though it had to be taken in a bit more and shortened. The pants however...lets just say they needed several adjustments. If I was to wear them where the crotch was, the band was around my waist. But it wasn't even that they were highwasted pants, because the band was too big. So then I pulled them down to my hips, but then the crotch was mad low. Gangsta low. And of course, the pant legs were then too long. Oh and the pant legs were also made to fit an elephant.

So I explain how I would like him to change it and he nods and starts cutting and sewing away. I try to tell him I want the pants to be straight (toutdroit) but it's clear as he starts that he doesn't get exactly what I mean. So I put the pants back on and try to show him a little better. He looks at me like I'm crazy, shrugs and says ok. As he's sewing he shows me the pant leg opening and says, Are you sure you'll be able to fit your foot in there? I wiggle my little size 6 foot and say, I think I'll be ok.

He finishes making the adjustments and before I can make another comment he folds them off and hands them to me with the dress. They look a lot better than before (as in they might actually fit) and I'm happy I was able to do something with all that fabric. When I get back to the apartment, Jamie insists that I model my new clothing.

I start to pull on the pants and realize that he's done a good job making the legs smaller, but the crotch is still almost above my knees. So I pull the pants up where they fit, and now the I have flood-style pants (you know, that akward length right above the ankle that was cool for a month in 7th grade). And the waist looks like pants from a weight loss commercial because it's so big.

But hey, I have some sick african print pants to take home. Even if they fit a little strange...

The one...the only...

I SAW YOUSSOU N'DOR LIVE!!!

There was this huge concert Saturday night at a soccer stadium, with 50 different Senegalese artists. There was a rumor that Youssou N'Dor would show up, so me and my friends got there around 12:30 since we thought he would probably be playing last. When he got on stage, everyone started going crazy and jumping around. Mbalax fever swept through the crowd, and even us Americans tried to wiggle our knees.

So now I can check that off my list of things I needed to see in Senegal.

Which is good, because I only have 12 days left...