Hola chicos!
This may be my last post for a while as tonight I start my journey back to the United States. I will be traveling for almost 24 hours on buses, planes, and cars just to get home. I am so sad to leave my new friends, students, and "family" here but I know I will come back to visit. I hope I sparked something in you, my readers, to want to come and experience Senegal for yourself one day. Senegal has a word called "Teranga" that means "hospitality" and oh my goodness, have I felt that here. Everyone is so welcoming and wonderful. Sometimes it takes you hours to get anywhere just because everyone wants to stop and talk with you and see how you are doing. But they really mean it. As I walked down the sandy streets of Louga with my host teacher, I felt like I was walking with the Mayor. He greeted everyone by name, nickname, or brother/sister. He stopped to shake hands, give hugs, and just catch up. It took us FOREVER, and I mean forever to get anywhere, but it was worth it!
One of my favorite moments of Teranga was the hospitality I felt at family meals. In Senegal, families eat together out of one big bowl all at the same time. In addition, houses are open and welcoming in Senegal. Every time I was at Mansour's house I would meet so many new "family members" that were really just the neighbors, friends, cleaning ladies, or whomever else walked into the house whom Mansour refered to all as friends and family. Back in Connecticut, I live in the same complex as one of my sisters and it is the best thing ever to be able to just walk over to her house and say hi without having to plan it. I can't imagine how it must be to be able to do this with all of my friends and family. I wish it were so! Maybe I can bring home the feeling of this Teranga back with me and make my house even more welcoming.
I also had the awesome opportunity to eat with Mansour and his family many times. We all sat around on the floor and ate the most delicious food with giant spoons. Mansour informed me that many families eat with their hands but his family is accustomed to eating with spoons. It was so much fun and really made me feel like part of his family. I am definitely going to do this in my own household when I get home and I hope I can bring it to Global Citizens Club too (if I can find a bowl big enough!)
Another large part of Senegalese tradition is the vibrant and amazing clothes that both men and women wear. GCC club... boubous are a thing everywhere!! On our last few days back in Dakar we were able to wear our new Senegalese clothing. I am definitely going to be wearing my new clothes so you all can see them. I also brought some fabric back with me so if any of my students are awesome at sewing, let me know and I might ask you to make a few other things for me!! :)
Here I am touching America. I miss you all and I cannot wait to see you soon!
Senora Traub
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