I’m back in Ziguinchor. Here is what happened before I left for
(Image right: shells from Joal Fadiouth)
Tuesday, I woke up with a sore throat and did not go to work. I rested the entire day. My biggest adventure of the day was when I got locked into my bathroom. Yes, the doorknob’s spring had broken and there was no getting out. Nabu, the helper lady here had to come to my rescue (after she had stepped out for about ten minutes). Its bad luck, but I could think of worse things that can happen to me…
The rest of the work week was short. Taking Tuesday off really cuts the week up and shortens it. You should try it sometime! After my first day back at work, I was honoured to have a taste of home at Claudine`s as she prepared Shepard`s Pie for supper. Cooking here takes planning, time and a good back. Firstly, you have to go to the market and pick everything up indi
vidually. Given that it was Shepard`s Pie, this wasn`t so complicated; but still! Ketchup is only sold in two stores here. Also, you have to buy your meat from the butcher and then go to the other end of the huge market and get it grounded. I say that cooking takes a good back because all the work is done on little benches – so you`re either bent over or squatting forward. It was a fun evening and interesting to see the Senegalese eat a foreign dish.
Thursday after work, I rested a bit and then went to a park to play soccer with one of my collegue`s teams. He had talked to me about it weeks ago and I finally no longer had my foot problem, it wasn`t raining And my throat felt a bit better. All systems a go! – Except for the cold sore at the corner of the mouth… I had trouble finding the park and the idea of doing sport again had almost become a foreign concept since I haven`t done any since July! Well my friends, I played real soccer game with 20 other men! There was even a referee (dressed in a business suit…) I must say, it took balls since I was the only female and the only white person. I felt like quite the outcast given the demographics. Fortunately, the men reacted quite well to my playing with them.
They didn`t stop themselves from giving their 100% and they didn`t make an extra effort to pass the ball to the girl. In short, they didn`t make a big deal about me playing with them which was very much appreciated. I can`t say I played very well since they were four times faster than me, six times stronger than me and twice as big as me. On the other hand, I must say, I find I positionned myself quite well throughout the game. I don`t think I`ve ever sweat so much in my life. My bra was literally drenched. All in all, it was a good experience a
nd I think I`ll be repeating it in the near future. After the game, I went to Marie-Claude`s and showered before going to a newly opened resto for supper.
Halloween on Friday!! My favorite festivity of the year!! The girls and I had intricate plans to celebrate Halloween at work. We often come up with plans since we have nothing else to do or talk about… Anyways, turns out Friday morning, I was the only motivated one to carry through.
(Image right: Claudine and me dressed up; in the centre, Abab the janitor in a normal boubou)
Thankfully, my enthusiasm was contagious and spread to the two others. We got dressed inside out and backwards in similar clothes and drew a third eye on each of our foreheads with my eyeliner. I had bought candy and gave it to all my collegues + anyone who asked for an explanation for our strange clothing. Some of our collegues were more motivated than others. Tonka was the cutest! He wanted a third eye drawn on his forhead two but because of his skin color, it was very difficult to see...Tonka works at the other end of our building alongside MC. He is a do-it-all man who doesn`t have any professional formation but 
who can build or repair just about anything. He`s also a good dancer!!
We were hyper and it made the day very amusing. Claudine and I had a professional formation session with the hospital porters in the morning. Presenting in ridiculous clothing made it hilarious. Hopefully, they will take us seriously during our future formation sessions. Many of my patients didn`t show up for some reason which was fine by me given that it was Friday.
(Image left: Tonka, Claudine, MC and I)
After lunch, Marie-Claude and I went for a swim at the pool where we had met the hot lifeguard. Unfortunately, he wasn`t there L What WAS there were little aquatic insect creatures swimming in the cloudy water… Given that I`m in
Not much to do in this city on a Friday night. We actually had a conversation about this… there isn`t much in terms of cultural outings here. Instead of spending time in cafes and museums, people here simply spend time with each other doing pretty much nothing. I guess that’s part of the reason why they don`t have a very developed tourism industry here. (The other part being political instability).
On my way back home with Marie-Claude, we bought all we needed for a fruit salad which we ended up making for my family. When I got home, Astou had arrived from 
to ignore the negative remarks and be as nice as possible to her irregardless.
My third weekend in Cap Skirring was wonderful; as usual. I mostly spent it with Marie-Claude`s roomate, Sabine. She is a retired elementary school teacher from
ther.
(Image right: Bass making Senegalais tea on the beach for us)
Saturday evening was perfect (almost). We watched the sunset at the little resto on the beach I had first bee
n to, sipping on beer mixed with fanta (surprisingly good!). We actually had two rounds before heading back up to town to go to an occidental restaurant. I had Spaghetti Carbonara and a chocolate mousse. Turns out, I`m no longer used to my north american diet and this meal made me sick. I ate too much, too rich. Sabine said before I ran for the toilet, my face turned white, then green. Fortunately, my sickness was momentary and the next morning, I was 100%.
(Image left: Sabine expressed that she found the sun too intense and hot so Claudine and I set her up with a home made parasol: my hat. It was hilarious. Also visible on this photo is my ever-growing tire. Not visible due to the angle, is my ever-growing djaifunday = butt in wolof)
Sabine and I took a long walk on the beach with the pursuit of our interesting conversations. Before turning back, we had glasses of juice at one of the fancy hotels with a view to die for. During the pleasant walk, I visited a lady with a house on the beach regarding a place to stay for when Phil will be here. Turns out I found something that looks perfect. I can`t wait to spend my time with my lover there! We`ll have a private little room + cute bathroom with access to a full kitchen.
The week of October 27 was a short work weeks since I left for 
icially lost weight and obviously gained volume. This unfortunately means that muscle has turned into fat.
(Image right: back to the future...In Joal, while we waited for each girl to shower, we entertained ourselves in our little motel room set up for the five of us. Myself, MC and Marie-Helene)
After the doctor’s visit, I went to the store to buy my tissue/material for my next boubou. Indeed, I’ll be needing a new boubous since a very important muselman holiday is coming up at the beginning of December: Tabaski.
Apart from my sore throat which flared up again and a SECOND cold sore which appeared, this pretty much wraps up the end of this chapter.
No comments:
Post a Comment