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| How I keep myself entertained in village.... |
Just when I thought the days couldn’t get any longer,
Ramadan began and the sun seemed that much more content with staying out. By
the time this blog is published it will be, if not over, coming to an end. And
I will be happily on my way back to the Peace Corps training center for two
weeks of In-Service Training (IST). For those who have been following, my first
three months at site were to be devoted to language learning and trying as best
as I could to integrate into the community. To what degree that goal has been
accomplished? I’m sure the answer to that is completely subjective, but for me
to have lived without running water or electricity for almost three months has
got to count for something…right? Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve taken breaks at
the regional house where I’m able to regain my sanity by cooking delicious
meals, watching classic films (including but not limited to Cruel Intentions, Center Stage, and Titanic),
and of course trying my best to keep up with Kim and Kanye online. But as these first three months are
coming to an end, I’m eager to get a little more training in and hopefully
solidify a few project ideas.
Today marks the twenty-third day of Ramadan. Not that it
makes much of a difference to me seeing as I am not fasting, but I’m looking forward
to getting back to a more regular schedule. I’ve been eating both breakfast and
lunch with the kids and occasionally my sisters when they are “tired” of
fasting. Living in the most southern region of Senegal has its advantages of
being less conservative and I think that’s played a big part in why my sisters
have been so “tired” of fasting as of late. It actually seems as if with each
passing day a new person has checked out of Ramadan mode and consequently the
lunch bowl is becoming that much more crowded. Even though the days seem to be
extremely drawn out, the evenings of Ramadan are quite enjoyable. Everyone
breaks fast at around 7:30pm when the sun goes down and the fourth
call-to-prayer of the day sounds. It’s fun to sit with my family at this time,
as I know they’re anxiously awaiting the Imam’s voice over the loud speaker.
Once it sounds they all jump to their feet with a renewed sense of energy as I
sit cheering for them, “Eat! Eat!” After everyone breaks fast with the usual soupy-corn-porridge,
more appetizing than it sounds, the greetings begin. Everyone greets each other
by last name and the kids will usually walk around to other compounds to greet
the families while my older sisters finish making dinner and my dad makes more
tea. There’s a real sense of community during this time as everyone is
socializing and meals are exchanged between families. By the time dinner is
over it’s about ten o’clock and way past my bedtime. Consequently I have been
going to bed on a full stomach and growing a little rice belly…which is a bit
ironic for it being Ramadan. The sighting of the new moon will mark the end of
Ramadan and there is still speculation as to whether that will be on the 19th
or 20th of August. I will be reporting back on all the end of Ramadan
festivities as soon as possible, but until then I will be happily eating my soupy-corn-porridge
while I wait for the new moon to make its grand appearance.
