2010-11-05
Well, today, I worked with AACRI, my new employers, for the first time, and I’ll be the first to tell you it was an experience. As part of our (Liza and I’s) first month of training and initiation, we spent the day in la planta, the factory where all of the coffee that AACRI produces...
Read More2010-11-05
I was sitting out by the river today with my family, and their family, and their family’s family, and then friends, and also the two Canadians who live nearby (they speak no Spanish at all, and seem to think it’s great that I’ve arrived and I speak enough to translate), when a thought occurred to...
Read More2010-11-05
I’m here in Apuela now. Well, in actuality, I’m just outside of Apuela, in a place that is just a bit more rural, and whose name I do not know how to spell, so forgive me. In lieu of a name, allow me to paint you a picture of what my house is like. Ten minutes on the...
Read More2010-11-02
Senegal- a country with a 97% Muslim nation. Prayers are five times a day- pre-dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and dark. The Calls to Prayer sound from mosques all over Dakar, and they are so frequent that sometimes I don’t notice that there is one going on- until the silence resounds. I’m leaving Dakar for Joal-Fadiouth...
Read More2010-11-02
Suma yaaye, my host mother, is diabetic. She was hospitalized for not following her diet. Our house, usually bustling with visitors and laughter, became very solemn. Then my older sister Adya got malaria. Suddenly my sister Ami, who’s 19 like me, had the work of three women to do. I walked around like an elephant...
Read More2010-11-01
For the fourth time this year, I am leaving my family. At the end of May, in a whirlpool of handshakes and diplomas, I parted ways with my extended high school family of teachers, mentors, fellow graduates, and yes, even freshmen. In mid-September I shared one final hug with my parents at La Guardia airport,...
Read More2010-10-29
I wanted to write a little summation of my time here in the big city, especially because it’s likely my access to the internet will be quite limited for the next month. I’ve spent the last few hours trying to mock up an outline, but my mind-voice keeps giggle-whispering, I leave Dakar in four days…...
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