Birthday, travel, a posh party and the end of term! – December

December: Birthday, travel, party, birthday, travel, visas, travel, a lost passport, Christmas, crocodiles and a coup. Get it?

Maybe not. I’ll give you some better explanations! December has by a long way been the busiest, but most exciting month of the year so far. I’m not even sure how we managed to squeeze it all in!

At start of this crazily busy month, (the 6th for those who didn’t know – and if you didn’t, why not.) was my birthday, and it was a great day from the offset. I woke up to cards and balloons from Charlotte, and my presents that she hadn’t let me open as they arrived in the post! I’d never felt so accepted into the Wone family, as when I opened the door to a pile of presents from Amadou, Aicha and the children! Taking this opportunity to thank everybody for the cards, presents and messages I received, I’m still amazed you hadn’t all forgotten about me by now! (Also shout out to my 4eme class, who the day before, managed to trick me into telling them when my birthday was, and singing me happy birthday in both English, and then, in what they told me was going to be Chinese, but was in fact just noises, but still greatly appreciated.) Charlotte and I then headed out to our favourite new find (see previous blog) where we treated ourselves to a day beside the pool, a ‘Tequila Sunrice’ (accident or pun we don’t know, either way I think they’re obsessed with rice) and got filmed for a tourism video. (This has happened to me before, in Belgium, and I’m not entirely sure how it happens!)

The 10th was a very exciting day! We all woke up (reasonably) early, and headed out to the other side of Dakar, and onto a ferry, to the historic Isle de Goree. I hope to write a blog post on this visit alone in the near future, so I won’t tell all now! Isle de Goree is an important part of Senegalese history. Located on the island is a slave house – the last place where the slaves from West Africa were housed before they made the long journey to America during the slave trade period. As a history lover, the visit really appealed to me. Seeing something like this, kept in almost original state, and learning about its background really brings history to life, and it was such a fascinating insight into a period which shaped the world as we know it today.

We were delighted to be invited to the home of the British Ambassador in Dakar, for his annual Christmas Carol party. I know, how fancy. And yes. It was the single most fancy event that I’ve possibly ever had the honour of being invited to. We were 6 teenage volunteers, surrounded by what must have been politicians, successful businessmen and their families and even a professional tennis player who had to leave early so he could play in the semi-finals of the open the following day! The night was the first reminder that Christmas was nearing that we had had, so we all fully embraced the tinsel, Christmas trees, cheese, champagne, biscuits and piano-accompanied Carols!

Making the most of these few days off in Dakar, we followed a recommendation of a friend, and took the pirogue ride (finally!) to the tranquil Island of Ngor. We spent the day exploring the amazingly decorated buildings, andchilling on the gorgeous beach – even joining some of the locals for Attaya after they found we could speak (and haggle!) in Wolof! Later that evening, we found a huge Western supermarket, where all of the posh ‘Toubabs’ who can afford to live in Dakar do their shopping. Despite not being able to afford a lot, we treated ourselves to a few favourites from home. Needless to say a trip to a supermarket has never been so exciting!

Due to a few visa, erm, complications(?) the girls from Ziguinchor came to check out our crib in Joal. It was lovely to spend more time with them, and show them around the town (which in fairness, didn’t take up even nearly half of the week that they stayed for) We feel so at home in Joal, and are beginning to really appreciate it’s beauty, (underneath all of the litter, and the smell of burning rubbish) – we felt so proud to be able to show it off to the girls! We were also able to celebrate Susie’s birthday with her whilst they were here! On the subject, she managed to, in the week that  she was here, make me excited to wake up at 6am, and go on a bike ride for 2 hours, before attending the long, all-day meetings with all of the English teachers in Joal. We saw some lovely scenery, and met some people to chat to along the way, but 6am. 6. 6am, and then school. 6.

The last week before the holidays was filled with teaching Christmas songs in Christmas themed lessons and wishing our students a Happy New Year! (whilst also gently reminding them to please glance at their English books at least a few times during their break.)

Having realised that it’s now getting late, my blog is getting long and the water has just come on, that’s it for this post. The end of term was not what I would normally expect of the start of the Christmas holidays. No films, hot chocolates and lie-ins for us, but so much much excitement. I think, however, that our adventures over the following 2 weeks warrant a post of their own!

It seems like ages ago now, but Happy New Year – see you all this year!

B xxx

Ngor Island – Dakar

The 6 of us Senegal volunteers at the British Ambassador’s Christmas Carol Party

La Maison des Esclaves – Isle de Goree

A late blog post for November!

After requests from various family members and a reminder from my Sixth form French teacher that some people do actually read my blog, I am finally getting round to posting this blog! So much has been happening that I haven’t been able to finish it before having to add new things, but what better time to get it started than during the routine midnight bucket-fill duty (a treat that the water has come on this early!)
The last few weeks has been crazy. A whirlwind of birthdays, marking tests, discovering Joal and even a few trips away! The weather (starting with this like a true Brit) is actually getting cooler. As in, some mornings, I’ve actually woken up a little bit chilly. I can actually function in the day time without searching desperately for cold water or the fan. (All fantastic news, apart from the cold water bucket showers becoming increasingly unwelcome!) It’s got to the point when, despite it still being about 27 degrees outside, I’m actually wearing jeans sometimes. Jeans.
Throughout November we had 3 birthdays to celebrate, Marieme’s (our now 7 year old sister) Charlottes, and our friend Zara’s, who is volunteering about 3 hours away in Kaolack. For Charlotte’s birthday, we decided to go all out, put on some make up (for the first time in a good few months) and head out for lunch. We explored a suggestion made by Aicha, our host mum. The taxi dropped us off at the place we asked, but it looked like the middle of nowhere. He pointed us down a dirt track, where, for what looked like miles around, there were only baobab trees, sand and cows. Walking down, we were sure he had done half a job, and just turfed us out before our desired location. Then, suddenly, a huge complex stood. Surrounded by ‘hut’ communities and the wild, was an American grill bar, take away, restaurant, gym and swimming pool! So random, but so lovely! Our pizzas had cheese on. Actual real life cheese. Cheese.
For Zara’s big 18th, we went on a little girly holiday, branching out into a really touristy area called Saly, only 45 minutes away! On entering our hotel room, we sounded like a group of pre-school aged children at biscuit time, running around exclaiming ‘THERE IS ACTUAL RUNNING WATER’ ‘WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT’S HOT’ ‘WHAT THERE IS AIR CONDITIONING NO WAY!’ Needless to say that the hotelier had seen this much appreciation for her hotel! We spent a lovely couple of days in Saly, enjoying the pool, the restaurants and even the clubs! The night we headed out to the club (accompanied by the waiter!) was… Different. We went for dinner early(ish) so as to ensure we had preparation time, but on the walk back, found ourselves ‘gatecrashing’ a big birthday ‘Saba!’ (Dance) Although we really weren’t supposed to be there, watching all of their moves, so fast that even my camera on sports mode couldn’t hack it, and the wonderfully colourful boubous was amazing! At 11.30, we ran into the hotel and yes, were all ready to leave for the club at 12am! It was the first time that charlotte and I had been to a nightclub since we left, so we made sure to enjoy every minute of dancing! The clubs here definitely differ from those in the UK. Most of those on the dance floor, and especially those with the most impressive dance skills (and who weren’t afraid to show them off in front of the mirror!) were the guys! I’ve picked up a few, so you better brush up your game if you’re coming out with me when I’m back!
As well as our trips away, we have also explore Joal more this month, now that we can walk around in the day time without becoming too hot to function! On our way back from Fadiouth, we decided to take a random turn, just because. Who knew that Joal had its very own tranquil mangrove plantation!? Okay, doesn’t sound that exciting, but the experience is enhanced when a random man offers you your first ride on the back of a horse and ‘cart’ (so much more unstable than it looks!)
Our time away from Joal this month has really made us realise how much we love the place, despite the rubbish and constant smell of fish, it really is beginning to feel like our home, not just somewhere we’re volunteering. Our classes are feeling like our own, and teaching the children to shout Aita and Coumba as we pass in the street instead of ‘Toubab’ has made us feel so much more accepted into this wonderful community.
I’ve had so much to write about, that to keep you up to date, I’m splitting it into three blogs, so this was November!

Ps. This month, I let charlotte give me a haircut. Partner trust right here.