Toubab

hi everyone:

i only have 15 minutes left on this computer, so this will be quick. I have arrived safely and so far it has been very interesting. I have a great host family with a 16 month old named Fatou Marie and a 23 month old named Mustapha. There are a lot of women and every morning I am to say au revoir et bonjour to my 80 year old grandmere, who is very sweet. This culture is all about groups, and families are very close and hospitible to others. They always have leftovers just in case someone comes by and needs dinner. I need a whole 30 minutes to talk about how and what we eat, so Ill save that for later.

The other American girls and I (there are 9 of us from various schools) have started referring to ourselves as toubabs, the wolof word for white person. We hear that word wherever we go. It gets to be kind of nice when you can respond a simple phrase in wolof and say hi to everyone. I am trying to get over being hot and sticky, and I need to finish up for today... best wishes to all!!!