Mange, mange, mange.

The traditional way to eat in Senegal seems opposite to what we have been taught as Americans. Everything our parents told us not to do is moot; in fact, the Senegalese usually eat with their hands, with a group of people surrounding one big bowl. Using your right hand (never the left), you grab a small handful of food, typically rice and sauce and meat, and roll it in your palm with your fingers until it forms a sticky ball. Then, you raise the ball to your mouth and lick it in, tongue-ing your palm afterwards to minimalize the leftovers on your hand. To witness a group of twenty-year old Americans attempting to accomplish this task is perhaps the least graceful thing to be seen in the Western Hemisphere. If you eat slowly or you pause during the meal, it's normal for someone eating with you to urge you to continue by repeating "mange, mange, mange!" After you finish the meal, everyone licks their whole hands, suckling each finger. Pour éviter sticky hands, it is very important to wash; usually someone pours water from a bowl over your hands. The Senegalese have an interesting take on a toothpick/toothbrush -- they use a locally-grown stick, wide, soft and green, called soceu in Wolof and cure-dents in Francais.

Aujourd'hui I met my homestay sister, Mathy, for a brief meet and greet arranged by SIT. She is also twenty years old, but she has a one and a half year old kid. She was very quiet and reserved, but I hope she will open up to me later. Apparently, I also have another sister and a brother, Abdul and Mariam, and my host father is a professor à la université. As you can see, I've begun to adopt Franglais as my chosen langue. The Senegalese here speak what we call Frolof, a melange of French and Wolof. I've already had one Wolof class, so I hope to become Frolof competent soon enough! Baax na, ba beneen yoon.