The Definition of Language Learning

The definition of language learning from the dictionary of Holly: 1) contorting your mouth in foreign shapes in the hopes of producing sounds that you have never heard in your life; 2) making a fool of yourself as you completely and absolutely butcher a language; 3) smiling through it all as the locals laugh at you as you try to make these weird sounds; 4) enjoying making them laugh because you know they enjoy hearing you speak their language.

Despite the trials of language learning, I love knowing how happy I make the people by speaking their language. Their faces just light up when they hear this white girl speak Wolof. It's really quite fun.

My week here in Dakar has been quite an adventure. I climbed a mountain (literally), looked out upon Dakar (I'll post pictures once I have steady internet access), have ridden in many taxis, have learned how to bargain for taxis, and I am ready to brave the Saturday market. Dakar is a busy, bustling city with many fun and interesting people. I have eaten so much good food and I am ready to try some more local dishes.

I walk about a mile from where I'm staying here in Dakar to my language classes around 2:30 in the afternoon. At that time, men all over Dakar and Senegal are praying towards Mecca. As I walk to class, I pass many people on their prayer mats, praying to the east. As I walk, I pray for the people that I pass. Please pray with me for these men and women. Pray that God would open their eyes and change their lives.

2 weeks in Senegal

I have decided to sum up my time here so far in as few words as possible - but it might take a while!

Crazy Dakar taxi drivers, fruit sellers directing traffic (and really not doing a good job - I mean, they're fruit sellers), nearly running over people walking and moto drivers, nearly running me over, dirt in the Chacos all the time, wind so strong it'll knock you over, Harmattan dust haze, lizards pooping on my kitchen counter, loosing electricity three days in a row, mosquito nets, trying to light my gas oven, successfully lighting my gas oven and baking my first banana bread, "Dema jang Wolof.", "No, I can't marry you. You'll have to talk to my father in America and he'll say no." "Yes, I know you have a house and a good job as a mechanic, but I still can't marry you.", riding on horse carts to the market, looking at fish in the market, cleaning fish after the market, turning down another marriage proposal in the fish market, walking 2 miles to pay my electric bill, listening to my washing machine dance around for two hours, wishing they would put the goat next door out of it's misery, ... oh the list goes on and on.

In all, I have really been enjoying being here. I survived culture shock and now feel at home. I'm heading to Dakar for two weeks to begin my Wolof language learning. I can't wait to be able to really communicate with the people. Please pray for Liz and I as we begin.

Home sweet home

Now that I'm settled in and finally have some down time, I'm able to write and catch you up on everything! Liz and I arrived in our village Thursday. It really is such a nice little village; we even have paved roads! Actually, the road all the way from Dakar to here was paved! The big difference is the amount and type of traffic on the roads. When I cross the street, I don't look both ways to dodge a bus or car, but a horse-cart or donkey-cart. And if I decide that it is too hot for me to walk to the market, I can just hop on one of these carts and pay next to nothing for the ride!

It is very dry and dusty here. When I got into my house, a layer of dust about 1/2 inch thick was on everything! We finally got it all lifted, only, to my dismay, to find another layer on everything this morning. Housecleaning is a full-time job here! Here is a picture of the outside of my house:

And no, there really is no grass. If you find grass, you have found a treasure! The sand is everywhere, and of course, walking without getting sand all over you is impossible. I don't have a dryer, so I let the hot, African sun do it's job. It is really dry, so everything dries really quickly.

Life here can be tough, but the people are so friendly. They love to greet you and have you greet them. I have learned how to say "I'm learning Wolof" in Wolof, so now, when I go to buy my bread and the sweet young lady who barely speaks any French tries to speak Wolof, I can tell her that! She can get quite a laugh out of me butchering her language!

I've learned to be happy with what I have. Yes, my washing machine is a bigger spaz than I am (and a better dancer, I might add), but at least I have a washing machine that works. No, I don't have a shower curtain or the capabilities to put one up, but at least I have running water and a shower that works. Yes, dust gets EVERYWHERE, but that is easily cleaned up. I have enjoyed getting to know people so far and I am really enjoying the hospitality of the village. The Sereer are very loving and welcoming people. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for me here!

Hello from Dakar!

After a long, but smooth flight from New Orleans - Atlanta - then on to Dakar, I am sitting in the living room of the guest house here. I honestly did not sleep from the 5 am monday morning Louisiana time until 9 pm Tuesday evening Dakar time (Senegal is five hours ahead of central standard time). I slept the whole night through last night, until about 6 am. I feel pretty rested, but the jet-lag is catching up with me. I'll be good as new after a few days. Liz made it here safely too. Oh, and I almost forgot, we all arrived with every piece of our luggage! I do believe that is quite an accomplishment!

We did some shopping at a really nice grocery store named "Casino." They have a few American products (or at least the French version of them) and lots of French products. I can pretty much get everything that I need there. So when I say I'm going to the "Casino," I'm not going to play poker ...

Now that Liz is here, we're going to do quite a bit of shopping today. We are stocking up on the things we can't find in our village. We'll be leaving Dakar on Thursday, possibly Friday, to head to our home! The city is so different from the village, and to be honest, I think I might prefer the slow-paced village life ... Dakar is a busy place!

I'll post pictures soon! Also, please be praying about our language learning situations. We have lots of possibilities, it's just deciding which one would be best that's tough. Pray for God's guidance and discernment.

Airports ...

As I sit here, my last day in the US for at least two years, I look out the window at a foggy New Orleans. I got up early this morning, made sure that I had everything packed (and of course, I still forgot somethings!), kissed my kitty babies goodbye (and my mom of course!), and loaded up my car with my three suitcases. My dad and I, after some re-shuffling of items, managed to get both my suitcases right at 50 lbs! I just saved myself $150!!!! Yay for my awesome packing skills! I even still managed to fit all six of my Bath and Body Works hand soaps!

Pray that all my flights go smoothly and that all my stuff makes it safely to Dakar. Also, Liz and the girlies I'll be working with are flying today as well, so please pray for them also. And, in the wise words of Forrest Gump, "Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're gonna get." So, we'll see what Delta airlines and Dakar has in it's box of chocolates for me when I arrive!