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| just two little ladies in the big city |
Did you know that John F. Kennedy created three goals to explain the purpose of the Peace Corps, back in the day? The
first goal is to help the people of interested countries in meeting their needs for skilled workers. The
second goal is to help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of peoples served. The
third goal is to help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans. At the end of June my mother graciously assisted me in my second and third goal work with a two week trip to Senegal!
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| a lion named tiger |
It was an exciting adventure starting in Dakar, where we had a joyous reunion at the airport after fifteen months apart! We went to the beach and climbed the African Renaissance Monument and eased ourselves into Senegalese cuisine at our super trendy hotel. From Dakar we went south to a roadside town called Toubacouta. Toubacouta is possibly my favorite place in all of Senegal because it is beautiful yet quiet, attracts very few tourists, and has gorgeous waterfront vistas on the Sine-Saloum delta, where the Senegal River meets the Atlantic Ocean.
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| part of the family |
We swam in the salty delta water around the mangrove forests, took a boat ride to Shell Island, watched the sun set over the water, and drove out to Fathala Wildlife Reserve. At the reserve we saw tortoises and walked with two lions! The lions were born in South Africa and brought to Senegal as cubs. We walked with a brother and sister pair who are currently two years old. They were nice enough to allow us to pet their backs, feel their paws, and take lots of photos. My mother's school mascot is the Flying Lions, so I hope her students aren't disappointed at the lack of wings on these guys.
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| salty delta water and mangrove forests |
After a relaxing few days on the coast, we traveled inland towards my village in the Kaolack region. I got maybe a little too much enjoyment from introducing my mother to the rough roads of Senegal, the excitement of traveling in a car that could literally just fall to pieces at any second, and sitting her and her fancy rolling luggage atop a horse drawn cart to get to my home. Everyone in my village was overjoyed to welcome my mother and we spent five days greeting my friends and family. In between never-ending greeting sessions, we took walks, did some health work, visited French and Arabic schools, and got first row seats at our local polling station!
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| can you spot the toubab? |
On June 29th there were nationwide elections throughout Senegal and we had a polling station set up for the 114 registered voters of my village. I was so excited to see democracy in action in my little village! The ballots are color coded and outfitted with visual aides because a lot of the voting population is illiterate. But that did not slow the process at all - political debates were held in every house and almost every single person with a voter identification card showed up to vote. My mom and I showed up when the polls closed and were given seats in the room where the ballots were counted. In a ridiculously close race, the party I was backing lost. All in all, I had great fun participating.
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| three ferocious felines |
I had hoped that we could stick around for the beginning of Ramadan, but Allah did not will it this trip. I think Allah was sympathizing with my mother for being such an incredible guest for her two week stay. I can't exaggerate how many times I was impressed by her energy and enthusiasm in the face of heat, sickness, confusion, overstimulation, and exhaustion. (Not to say that Senegal isn't a lovely place to visit!) She was such a trooper and she impressed everyone she met with her Wolof, her energy, her dance moves, and the list goes on. I feel very lucky to have such a wonderful woman in my life and doubly lucky to introduce her to my three host mothers here in Senegal. Thanks for taking the time, energy, money, and patience to come visit, mom!
