May 8, 2011
C’Este un letter!
Thoughts from 200,000 feet:
I’ve never been the best at penmanship. You can argue that it is the basis for a lot of my ting and use of electronics. There’s something soothing about the pen to paper relation. If everyone understood their role like a pen and paper, this world would be such an amazing place to live!
PA: the stewardess just announced that we are descending to Charles De Gulle airport au France! This trip will be most rewarding for several reasons. First, I had an interesting encounter at the Atlanta international terminal heading to France. An executive director from Cameroon working for UNESCO spoke to me about several trips he is to make in Africa. He is promoting the model United Nations program for high school students from all over the world they will come and prepare over the course of two weeks for deliberations just like the United Nations council. This will be an interesting assignment to help identify schools capable of this in Senegal and look forward to possibly transforming this into an experience! What an amazing opportunity! I can see that this gentleman is well connected and this is definitely a great opportunity for future growth.
May 9, 2011
We made it past security check in Paris to get to our terminal for the final destination! Wow! Such de javu. I stood here, well a couple of terminals down, in 2009 waiting to board the plane to Amman, Jordan.
I tried to be sneaky and took my MERLOT thinking I would be able to enjoy it on the plane to Senegal. Smh, no go. They caught me and took my freaking wine!
A note: AIR France is well noted for serving red and white wine with their main course meals on flights.
I wasn’t too happy about that but its whatever, that was inevitable.
There is an older gentleman to my right hair silvery white, who is wrestling really hard with his bag, trying to condense all externalities before boarding. I WONDER WHAT THIS WILL BE LIKE! Honestly, this is my first study abroad trip and there is still a level of comfort knowing the Islamic faith rules the country. The language barrier is something of an adjustment but beauty is loud and vivacious in every country. We are so fortunate to enjoy this beauty because thankfully we get a food stipend. This can only mean my favorite 8 letter word:
S H O P P I N G!!!!
8:30 pm LOCAL TIME
We’ve begun the initial descent to DAKAH! Well, it’s finally here! EXCITEMENT, WOBDERM SUSPENSE, and CURIOUSITY run rampant through every vein! This feeling will not allow a moment’s rest the entire time here!
Things to remember:
1) Close mouth when yawning. Don’t get me wrong, I know my manners, but I noticed they cup the entire mouth here. Everyone slips now and then, but must remember to maintain caution and present one’s self in the best light.
2) Maintain POSITIVE eye contact: American customs are not welcomed everywhere. Keep it professional, keep it gangsta, and keep it moving!
FRANCE
Soooo,France likes culture… other than its own? Maybe, maybe not. Point is, I saw an awesome portrait of a sculpture. It was of an astute black male in African attire. Underneath, it said something like Prince de Soude…. Now, does that mean Prince of Sudan, Negro Prince or Prince of the South? We will see. Dr. Eubanks is all the way at the front leading the pack, I didn’t get the chance to ask nor time for a picture. Maybe next time.
SENEGAL FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
First smell: water! The air is so moist! Within 5 minutes moisture seeped through my toes and dampened my sandals!
First image: driving through the market downtown…. I bet this place is crazy busy in the morning. What time do they usually wake up? …. What time is the sun rise?
First words spoken: NO! lol. I had to fight a few people off of helping us with our luggage. Here, you have to tip them for helping with anything.
10:30ish?
Dr. Hemmy is such an amazingly cool negotiator. Homeboy with the taxi tried to swag 700 cfc out of us for the taxi ride! He swore op and down that we would pay him 700 cfcs but thank god for negotiation. How about we almost get killed on the drive to the house! It’s clear that street signs and lights are nonexistent here and so they tear up the street driving! Deep down I kind of like that. No boundaries and no speed limits! If only we had this in California with those big streets and even bigger highways.
THE HOUSE!
This house is amazing!!!! \first off, you can see the duality in culture here. The house is white, decorated in what seems like white marble (I’m taking a wild guess here). European décor is everywhere. You can see it in the portraits, chandelier, lamps, tables, vases, curtains and so much more! The beds are low to the ground and I wonder what that implies or satisfies.
We have a rooftop!!! It’s gorgeous! It feels like I’m in a top flight resort and here’s the best part. WE ARE LESS THAN A BLOCK AWAY FROM THE BEACH!!! Ahem, I meant THE ATLANTIC OCEAN! There is a small rectangular greenhouse in the middle of the house transcending all three floors of the house and can be seen from the roof!
WE HAVE A POOL!!!!!!!!
How freaking amazing is that? Everyone is upstairs trying to conclude this rooming situation. Here’s the situation: all three professors and Levi get their own rooms. This leaves 2 rooms for 8 girls! Oh well, adjustments are necessary and I’m sold, either way, it doesn’t get bother one bit.
May 10, 2011 12:30 AM
It’s been a long day. We’ve been traveling for 13 hours straight and around 20 some hours plus layovers. Just showered and heading to my couch bed. I want to wake up early enough to capture the sunrise for the first morning in West Africa!
Au Rivoir for now!
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