20 April 2007

I'm sitting under a thatched roof in Mame Fatou's courtyard right now in the shade. Everything is so beatiful. We haven't done too much today, which is really fine by me. I'm trying to learn some Wolof. We went to the market again today and I bought a big 10 liter jug ofwater and also some little cakes to give to the talibe. The talibe are these little begger boys that are all under 10 or so. Apparently, they are taken in by the local Mosque, but they are really dependant on the community for donations. One thing that I think really displays the amazing communal living is how often, when we haveleftovers from a meal, Mame Fatou or Awa just goes over to the frontdoor and a talibe will come and she'll give him the leftovers. I can't imagine all the people we could feed in the US if we all gave away our leftovers to people that didnt have enough. This afternoon, I drank this tea called "ataia". Its very Senegalese to drink and its like 400 percent mint and sugar. Its extremelystrong.... but good. On thje way back from the market this morning ,we took a horse and carriage thing because of my water jug. It was soawesome ; I loved it. I told Mame about how we have them in the US but theyre actually more expensive than taxis so I never take them. Funny that its reversed here. The driver of the cart asked where Iwas from and I said the states and he asked if I could take him backwith me. I told him that I didnt have enough room in my bag form him. He and Mame Fatou both loved this and they taught me how to say 'I dont have enough room for you in my bag' in Wolof. I love how the Senegalese are always hoking around... I think I'll fit in.