It Takes a Village

It has been one week since I returned back from Kerr Alyugae village, I still haven’t fully processed my experience but a few things I am certain of is that it was a once-in-a-lifetime, remarkable and unforgettable moment in my life. I lived in a hut compound with a husband, his three wives, and eleven beautiful children (Senegal is a Muslim country which practices polygamy, hence the three wives). I ate from a communal family bowl with my hands, I slept in a bed 4 other family members, I took bucket showers, learned African dance, picked lettuce from the garden and fell asleep under the stars, just to name a few moments. One highlight was feeling completely unplugged and so free. I star-gazed with the children and showed them shadow puppets, which they thought was hysterical and absolutely loved. Another extraordinary moment was waking up at 5 am to see the silhouette of my Mama praying at the foot of the bed. The sunlight was seeping through the door frame, and her body bowed up and down so rhythmically and beautifully; it was truly breathtaking

My family was so loving and spoke no English. But yet, we were able to communicate and make it work. I realized that no matter where you come from, you can always find a universal language in laughter. I really felt connected to my village family even though from the surface it looked like we couldn’t understand each other. My experience in the village was tremendous; I was proud of myself for managing the circumstances and enjoying it as much as I did. I felt like I was a part of an incredible community that lived a simple life, yet happy life. The village functioned so well without all the advancements we’re provided with in western societies. It made me feel appreciative for the life I have, but also made me realize how little materialistic things matter. It really all comes down to family, support and leading a happy life however you choose.

Music and dance ceremony when we arrived

My hut and siblings!

Children of the Village

"Kitchen"

Mama in the community garden

Our hut compound

Mama and Siblings

My munchkin!

Dancing

Dinner with the wives

Papa

Saying Goodbye

Since My Return

Since my return from the village, I have continued to have a fantastic time in Senegal. My days have been filled with class, site visits, guest lectures, beach, wondering through markets, spending time with my host family, meeting local people and more beach. I have also been learning a bit of French! Next week is spring break, a group of seven friends and I have rented a beach house in Saly, Senegal. Rest and relaxation on the beach, with great friends, under one roof- what could be better?

Election Update

Macky Sal, the opponent of current president Abdoule Wade, won the election by an astounding 4:1 ratio.  Wade peacefully accepted his defeat and Sal will take his new position as president today (Independence Day)! The Senegalese people are excited and hopeful to see change in the future. It has been remarkable to be here during this momentous time in Senegalese history.

Express Yourself

While I have been abroad I have turned to creative writing as a means to process my thoughts and express myself. Last week, I encountered a beautiful and unexpected experience while alone in my homestay. I wrote a poem about it that I would like to share with you:

Only Here

Laying motionless on the rooftop

Plugged in: music softly kisses my ears

A faint breeze tickles my arms

The 4 pm sun bakes my skin gold

Fingers tap against the tile

I could be anywhere

The deep, calming voice of a man brings me

away from my music

I cannot see him, cannot smell, cannot touch

Projecting from a loud speaker,

his voice sweeps through the streets below me

and flutters up to the sky above me

The voice is steady, rhythmic, beautiful

What is being sung?

The language is unfamiliar

“Hayya ‘ala s-salah”

Arabic

The Call to Prayer

I delicately strip the buds from my ears

The voice becomes louder, more beautiful

I rise, eyes remained closed, hands at heart center

The sun soothes, the sun sings, the sun warms my

young blood

Sun salutation- I dive to the floor

Body bends, body arches, body lengthens

I move to the rhythm of the steady, beautiful voice

Body bends, body arches, body lengthens

A light sweat traces down my spine

Body bends, body arches, body lengthens

The voice subsides

My movement stops

My lips begin to curl into a smile

I open my eyes

I see the mosque, the ocean, the streets of Dakar

I could only be here

--

Lots of Love,

Rachel