Senegal is….

I’ve been home for 4 days now, and I went back to work immediately upon return to the country. There have been some very funny moments that have made me laugh, as I try to reenter American life. Yesterday, I was brushing my teeth, and had a freakout moment when I realized I had just used tap water to rinse my toothbrush. For 17 days I had used bottled water exclusively, even for teeth brushing. How funny that the instinct stayed with me, even after having been back for days (and yes, I did brush my teeth in the days between my return and this moment…not sure why it got me all of a sudden). I also have had a dream about being in Senegal every night since I’ve been back. Nothing earth-shattering, but definitely seeing the faces of the students I met and teaching has left a deep impression on my subconscious! And, there is the joy of continuing to take my anti-malarial pills for 7 days after my return…

This all got me thinking about how I would describe Senegal. I have had so many incredible conversations with my friends, family, and colleagues, as they dig deeper through things that I didn’t put in my blog. However, I feel a strong desire to try to package this experience into a few words for when that casual run-in with someone who asks “So, how was Senegal?” and is looking for the super succinct answer. I have come to the conclusion, though, that my determination to try to simplify this experience into a sentence or two truly does the country, its people, and the fellowship a great disservice. This exercise did, however, produce some fun memories that made me laugh. Here’s what I have come up with, in terms of describing Senegal (and the experience itself):

Senegal is seeing the biggest, most beautiful smiles on the curious faces of students who believe learning English is the only way to be successful in their futures.

Senegal is noise – all the time – whether you are in a city or smaller community, whether you are in a market or a classroom.

Senegal is the giggles and whispers as you walk through a school, as students have never seen a white person before (this always made me self-conscious until one of the students told me that they were all just so nervous to speak English to us, and the US is so highly respected there).

Senegal is Teranga, in a way that cannot be expressed by the traditional translation of ‘hospitality,’ because it is so much more than that.

Senegal is being uncomfortable, but never feeling unsafe.

Senegal is raw beauty – both in landscape and people.

Senegal is an understanding of what is truly important.

Senegal is sand everywhere – I would leave the bathroom after a shower and immediately have sandy feet again, and hopping into bed each night involved encountering sandy sheets!

Senegal is a dichotomy of old and new – modern cars and semis traveling next to horse-drawn carts, new buildings being placed next to buildings that have seen many historic events.

Senegal is a 4:00 pm lunch, and thinking breakfast was so long ago that you might eat anything placed in front of you before asking what it is.

Senegal is colorful fabric and no person ever wearing the same outfit as anyone else in the country!

Senegal is food with incredible flavors shared in one bowl with everyone you are lucky enough to dine with.

Senegal is music…all the time, but not in the way I expected. (I write this as I listen to my new favorite mix of mbalax songs.)

Senegal is a giant leap out of your comfort zone.

Senegal is haggling – taxis, markets- there’s a whole art and rhythm to the negotiations that is fun to listen to (and even to participate in).

Senegal is the beautiful cacophony of multiple mosques calling the Muslims to prayer.

Senegal is not knowing what you might experience when attempting a public restroom visit….

Senegal is hot!

Senegal is a conversation that artfully switches between Wolof, French, and English several times in the span of a few minutes.

Senegal is a place where EVERYONE is still out in the streets, even at 10 pm – the busiest markets look the same at noon as they do at 10 pm!

Senegal is wondering whether you will have electricity at your hotel that night.

Senegal is stopping the car and yelling out the window to the group of people in order to get directions to where you are going.

Senegal is the gateway to West Africa, as Dakar is a major port for anything entering all of the countries of West Africa.

Senegal is a country where sometimes there are roads, and sometimes you make your own roads.

Senegal is waiting 15-20 minutes for each picture you put in your blog posts to upload, sometimes having to try several times before it finally goes!

Senegal is a place that changes you – you will not be the same after visiting it.

Senegal is gratitude in all directions.

And, Senegal is a place that once you’ve visited, a piece of you will be left behind when you return. It is an experience that will never leave you and you will never regret your visit.

Definitely missing my Senegalese friends, the students, and my colleagues from the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Fellowship.