Our first day of orientation will consist of basic Senegalese values and traditions, with a traditional fish lunch (I told them I'm allergic to fish, rather than having to decline any meals with fish and look like a prissy American- even though I am, apparently! I'm sorry, but I just don't like fish.. it smells. And it tastes like it smells. I'll definitely try it when I'm there, but only because it will be incredibly fresh, and I hear that fresh fish doesn't stank. After our first day, we'll have a few weeks of language instruction on Wolof. Most people there do speak French, but knowing some Wolof will make life easier. I'm excited about this. After this, I believe we're on our own, and we can really dive into our research.
I'll be staying in the Sacre Coeur district, a very nice neighborhood in Dakar, as we've been told. Four of us will stay in a 3 bedroom apartment, located on the fourth floor (READ: safe). I'll share a room with another guy, Armin (a Junior at the U of M studying biology), and then Yemi (also a Junior, majoring in Global Studies) will have her own room, and our professor, Vicki, will have the master bed. The two other students not mentioned (Michael and Scott; biology undergrad and Global Studies undergrad, respectively) will be staying with families. I'm really happy that our professor will be living with us. She has spent her career studying West Africa, and particularly Senegal. She is also incredibly supportive, underneath her brusque surface. I'll post pictures of all these people as soon as they're available so that you can have a good visualization to go along with my stories.
I think I'm as prepared as I'll ever be for this. I've practiced my interview protocol with a Senegalese woman (Kany) living in Minneapolis. She helped me immensely. And, of course, I also have to acknowledge my French tutor, Jamal, for helping me to translate the English version into French. This process resulted in several changes to the interview questions so that they became more focused. Originally, the French equivalents didn't evoke the same meaning behind the original question set in English. So, because of this, I now have an interview protocol that is more culturally valid than it was before, and that is important for this type of research.
In terms of packing preparation, I'm also completely ready. I've sprayed all of my clothes and the mosquito net with Permethrin (a POWERFUL) anti-bug/mosquito solution that lasts for up to 5 washings! I've also packed away all of the travel-ish items, such as the extra medicine (for colds, indigestion, etc.) and the water purifier. All I need to do is exchange the bunk portable alarm clock I purchased from Target (sorry, Target, but you disappointed me with this product). Also, as a way to show my gratitude for her generosity of time and spirit, I am taking some gifts to Kany's family that she purchased. In addition to helping me with my interview protocol, Kany had me over for dinner about a month ago to give me a taste of traditional Senegalese cuisine and company. It was really the sweetest thing- I didn't even know this woman, except that we shared a mutual acquaintance (my French tutor), but she opened her house and her social network to me. And now, when I arrive in Dakar, I will meet her family and deliver to them the gifts that Kany purchased, and more than likely be invited to spend dinner with them as well. The icing on this cake is that her sister, Naki, works for THE most famous Senegalese musician, Youssou Ndour (www.youssou.com), and she will probably introduce me or get me tickets to see him perform. TOO COOL! Anyway, check out his website- maybe you'll like the "mbalax" (umm-ba-lak) style of music!
I don't have much more to report right now, other than we will be arriving at the peak season for mangos, and apparently this is a very good thing! And, I love mangos, so there you have it. more later, friends.
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