I choose chocolate and serenity!

I'm such an old fart.. you know I'm turning 26 in a few weeks? July 18th, actually (in case you wanted to throw me a surprise birthday/welcome home party.. *wink wink*). I don't actually feel old, but I AM staying home on a Saturday night, and feeling perfectly ok with it, which makes me feel like I MUST be old. Or maybe not. But wait, I just put on Sade and am eating chocolate, too. DAMN!

No, I'm not old, I'm just taking care of myself. I had the option of going to this big crazy dance party, but it just didn't appeal to me. I had dinner with Vicki, Yemi, and Armin (he's back in Dakar for the night.. picking up his mother at the airport tomorrow and driving back to Touba Couda)- we ate out tonight, it was on Vicki, and it was great. And, all I wanted to do when I got home was talk to my sponsor (which I did), and eat some chocolate. Earlier, I actually wanted to go out, because I was feeling stir-crazy, but now, eh.. it's too much effort. Jeans, fitting shirt, shoes.. why would I want to do all that when I can schleppe around here in my cozy bou-bou and flip-flops? Exactly. And they don't even get the party started here until at least 1am, which is my bedtime anyway. So, no, thank you very much, I choose chocolate and serenity. And Sade. You know, she has really stood the test of time, don't you think? Seriously, talk about some smooth music.. she's your lady. Well, she's mine at least. Really good for hot, sultry weather.

So today, we woke up early and went to the weaving market. Vicki had been telling us about this since we got here, and yes, it was pretty cool to see. Apparently it's been funded by Catholic Charities, and it saved a dying Guinean tradition (Guinea-Bissau is another country in West Africa). The weavers were hard at work when we arrived- I'll try to take pictures of some other weaving to give you an idea what the process looks like. They have these LONG (maybe 5 meters) of several threads, and they use these wooden block things to weave the thread together.. ok, whatever, I can't describe it! I tried, but I'll just take a picture.

After the weaver market, we went grocery shopping. It was fun, but obnoxious, too. I love grocery shopping, but things have changed in our group such that it's not as enjoyable, and in fact, it's downright complicated. You see, when Armin was here, we were doing everything communal, where someone would front the entire shopping bill. Then, at the end of the month, we collected receipts and swapped money to whoever it was owed to so that we each paid the same amount for the whole month's food. But when Armin left, Yemi asserted herself and said that she didn't eat the food that we ate, and so it wasn't fair to pay the same. Ok, I get it. Cool. But there are SOME things that she does eat, like cheese, jam, bread, etc.- just not the extras like snacky food. So, I was cool about her stepping up like that- in fact, I was proud of her. But, and here's the big but, she is too wishy washy about the things that she does like, so that when we went grocery shopping today, I ended up with some things (communal and personal), and she couldn't give me a straight answer about what she would end up eating (out of the communal pile). So it's annoying because I'm fronting the bill, and when it comes time to collect, it is literally going to be like, "so, what did you eat and how much of it?" which is just really obnoxious. Vicki called it "penny-and-diming it" and I agree. It would be so much easier to go communal and then to make sure you eat your portion of whatever is bought. I don't think it's much to ask. But, she hasn't lived with anyone before (she still lives at home), and I don't think she realizes how this agitates group harmony. And if she does, she doesn't care, which is another younthful trait. Which, whatever, it's all good. I know she's doing the best she can with what she has right now, and I'm sure I have annoying quirks, too. But mine aren't AS annoying! hah! right...

Post-grocery shopping adventure, we came home for a bit and I took a nap. Armin rang the doorbell at 2-ish and we welcomed him home for the day. Then, at 4, we met Saida at the fabric market. She, of course, took charge right then and there and got us what we needed/wanted. We were out of there in less than an hour, and that's no small feat in a maze of eager vendors!

That was my day pretty much. I'm now at the end of my Sade record, and I've downed two pieces of chocolate. I am out of words. Oh wait, did I mention the delicious pastry shop (a "Patisserie") we found the other day??? Oh my!!! I think I forgot to tell you! Well, it was fantastic- only a 15 minute walk from home, and it has the best pastry I've found here. I had a little cake thing that was layered with cream-cheesy yummy yummy stuff, a croissant filled with chocolate, and a croissant filled with almond paste. If the French can claim any goodness from being here, it is leaving behind these patisseries. Who cares if it contributes to heart disease and diabetes!

And on that note, I should definitely end this blog entry before I say something really delirious. Sweet dreams to me! yay!