a new adventure is about to begin...

My time in Dakar is coming to an end. On Monday at 7:00am, I will be saying my last goodbyes to Dakar. True, I will be back from my internship site in 6 weeks, but never again will I feel as if I here. For the rest of the program, I will be based in Sokone, a small village that I had visited when we went to Toubacouta. Any time in Dakar will be brief- one or two week seminars at WARC or long weekends visiting my host family.

My host family, they have all become close friends. Maman laughs when I dance to the music videos on TV while Fama, my sister, tries to teach me time and again the art of Senegalese dance. Babacar commandeers the electric fan from the living room so that I can fall asleep. Aida concerns herself with my marriage prospects and Ami explains superstitions. Baaly tells me the tricks-of-the-trade to get through the markets. Omar teaches me the "wolof of the streets". Khadim and my nieces and nephews show me how to be a kid.

Although the past two months have been filled with much laughter and many smiles. But those weren't what has brought us the closest. 40 days ago, this coming Monday, my host father passed away. Trying as it is to host a foreign student in even the best of times, my host family responded to the tragedy by including me in the mourning process. Never once did they make me seem unwanted. The method of mourning here is beautiful and touching. For three full days, the house was filled with friends and family. They were there to just be with the family, to offer emotional support. Unfortunately I not be able to observe the 40th day, as I will be enroute, and I was not able to observe the 8th day as I was in Toubacouta. However I will keep them in my prayers, and I kindly ask the same of you.

As much as I love my family and am starting to enjoy Dakar, it is time for me to start something new. I am eager to begin my internship at a school in Sokone. The students' fees are sponsored by French and Belgian individuals. I will be beginning anew with a second host family, and I can only hope that they are even half as welcoming and loving and caring as my current family.

Until Sokone,
Elke