it's been crazy here so far- you really have to barter for everything, even taxis! we rode in one today and it was one of the scariest expreiences of my life. not as scary as crossing the road though- there are NO stoplights, crosswalks, or pedestrian rights. anyway, i'm alive so far. we've been getting meals for free at the campus dining hall and we get an allowance of 15000 CFA (about $30) every two weeks. we walked into Dakar yesterday and it was SOOO far. we walked for about four hours there and back, and we didn't even make it to the city center.
We wake up every morning at 5 for the call to prayer, which is also sung four other times each day, so i'm still a little tired, but doing well. i'm getting along with everyone great- love my roommate and have been hanging out with Georgetown kids a lot. i miss you all and hope you're not worrying too much- all the preparatory shopping my mom and i did paid off because i'm using a lot of the stuff she sent me with. She was right about the toilet paper- they truly do not use it here, which i can hardly believe, but i am going to buy some at the nearby gas station (they have everything).
i'm very happy right now- probably in what they call the "honeymoon" phase, but it's so beautiful and the weather has been nice and cool. everyone speaks wolof here, french only when they have to so i'm anxious to learn it. i've already picked up a few words, but its not easy. next time i write i'll have to tell you about the "cars rapides". they are unbelievable, but they deserve a post of their own...
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