Day 9: L’experience fait la difference: Talked about microfinance this morning at the USAID office. I do think microfinance has a variety of beneficial aspects and when implemented correctly, it can work; HOWEVER, there are also negatives to microfinance when large banks get involved and take advantage of their clients. The USAID representative dismissed any type of corruption within microfinance and I had a really hard time getting along with him after that. Nonetheless, it was really interesting.
Day 10 (Wednesday): We went to the USAID office again for a short while and then visited a rice lab. Doesn’t sound exciting, but it was actually really cool. It was interesting to see all the technology they use because it was obviously a bit dated and they mentioned how it’s difficult to work with old technology, but they manage. Then we visited Rosso, which is the main city between Mauritania and Senegal. We saw boats carry people and trucks back and forth from Mauritania and back. Then we got tons of marriage proposals and this one guy tried to sell us an “iPhone”. We tried to tell him that the phone he’s selling is nothing like an iPhone, but he was convinced that it was. Oh well. There was another guy who said he came from NY yesterday because he was working there. We asked him where he was in NY and he responded “NY.” Obviously, we knew he hadn’t been there, but we had fun playing with it. We then drove to some road, where we waited an hour for a guy to take us to another rice factory. This one was a lot bigger and the machines were really cool to watch.
THEN, we got to have lunch at Meredith and Sarah’s house. The whole experience felt completely unreal and should have come out of a movie. So, we get there and Mama Fall takes us to the backyard where she has this gorgeous garden and a mango tree in the center. We then find all of these mats and pillows under the mango tree and just lounged. It was one of the most peaceful moments I’ve ever had. Then she brings out 4 giant plates of food for us. Oh yeah, and she slaughtered a goat just for us that morning. Most everything in the food was picked from the garden, so everything was so fresh. It was amazing. After we were stuffed, she brought out a drinks and watermelon for us. It was clearly over the top. We then spent the afternoon playing with the sheep and sleeping under the mango tree. It was wonderful.
For dinner, our family made Aya and I some eggs and French fries with soy sauce because we shouldn’t drink milk. It was so cute. Then we made Attaya with our sister.
Day 11 – We actually have homework: Thursday was presentation day. Our final assignment was to create a presentation on anything we want. A bit ambiguous, right? Aya and I finally decided to do our presentation on conflict in the Senegal River Valley. It was very interesting, only we worked on it until 7pm. I understand this is normal in the States, however, this is technically the first assignment we’ve had for this class, so we were all kind of struggling with the workload. Oh yeah… it’s in French as well. We weren’t finished but Aya and I walked home. After dinner, the siblings walked us to a restaurant downtown and assumed we would just pay for them even though Aya and I didn’t eat any of it. The positive side is we got to meet our older sister’s boyfriend and, in true Rickard fashion, we grilled him hardcore. There were a couple of uncertainties but, all in all, Aya and I approve. No one is good enough for our sister though.
Day 12 - PRESENT: We got to the USAID office early to finish our project and go over it with Tonton Ibou. It said it was good, but of course I wasn’t satisfied. We went to the market one last time to buy presents for the fam. We noticed the night prior that our family was using small plastic cups and washing them out, so Aya and I bought them some nice glass cups. Then I bought really 3 beautiful pottery-looking cups (just under $2) and some curtains for my family in Dakar. Then, of course, I had to buy another pagne (it’s my favorite because it’s blue, purple, and lime green) and two teapots to make attaya in (so cute). After lunch, we gave our family the glasses and they seemed very appreciative. Aya and I then had our presentation… it went well.. yeah, that’s all I’m going to say about that.
THEN! We went to Pax, a rural village for a dance party. It was insane! I don’t think I’ve ever been so overjoyed in my life. I don’t even know how to explain it… it was just so wonderful. It was definitely the most fulfilling experience I’ve had here so far.
When we returned from the village visit, we had our last dinner with the family. Mom gave Aya and I matching pagnes (because I need one more of those) and older sister said she was sad to see us leave. Unfortunately, sister who used to be our best friend decided to turn on us last minute and didn’t talk to Aya and I all-night. She was bitter that I wasn’t going to give her my iPod and a variety of other things. It was sad to end our stay like that and we were pretty upset at the time; however, we now can see that she’s just at that age in her adolescence that we've all been through and we shouldn’t take it personally.
Day 13 – Ready to go home: Aya and I were ready at 7:30am… and the bus didn’t come until 9am. We were thrilled. But then we found out that Erica had to be hospitalized and was going to return to Dakar in an ambulance. En route, we found out that she has malaria. She’s out of the hospital now, but it was pretty scary at the time. On the way home, we also stopped by this market and waxallayed for some baskets. I also bought a pretty awesome present for my wonderful sister, Cassie. We reached Dakar at about 10pm. I was soooo happy to be home in my own bed and with my family and friends.
Sorry it took me a week to post this. I tried to load a video from the rural visit, but it wouldn't let me. I'll try another time.
Even though the last two weeks have been jam-packed, words can't describe how fortunate I feel to have had an experience like that. It was that type of hands-on learning that is soo rare, but the most beneficial. I've never learned so much in two weeks.
Unfortunately, I've had some personal issues over the past couple weeks, but nothing I can't handle!! Still loving my experience here and wouldn't trade a single moment...
Peace and Love,
Alyssa
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