Senegal at last!

Standing in a line a mile long, sweating in muggy air, and already being perused by mosquitoes- I start to miss Morocco. The fact that I've only slept on the plane the last few days doesn't help either. I get to a booth where there is only 1 man stamping passports! He wants an address where I will be staying, and doesn't even ask for proof of yellow fever inoculations. We sort it out, I wait for my bag to come, and then starts the madness. I'm sweating like a pig as I role my suitcase outside, laptop bag around my shoulder. To my relief, I hear "Jordan!" and a white girl I've never seen before greets me. A helpful young Senegalese boy attempts to roll my luggage for me, and although I clearly express that I'm not interested in the service, we roll it together- of course I'm afraid he'll be off with it at any moment. I board something like a VW van- what was that van that Steve used to drive? Like that- where I meet a small group of 'Tubabs' arriving around the same time. The word tubab is a general reference to white people, sort of like how 'gringo' is used in Guatemala (I have alot of fun with this word). We roll through the dark streets of Dakar, first getting money at an ATM, and then arrive at the dorms. I'm rooming with Amir, an Iranian Boulderite, who I met in Boulder a day before I left- good guy.



We get lucky #7, equipped with air conditioning, and as we discovered, internet as well. Some tubabs weren't as lucky. Some had broken ACs or the internet didn't work. Some had it better, remote controls for the AC and/or a room to themselves. But Amir and I were chill, both figuring out cultural and logistical problems with a degree of efficiency (we were the only tubabs to get our clothes washed). In fact I'm known for getting in quickly with the Senegalese, although my friendliness is often easily taken advantage of... more on that later.


Dorm room, equipped with Skype, the aforementioned amenities and a shower.



There's typically someone on post at the desk here, and someone guarding the front through the night. I couldn't tell if they were pleased that we kept them company until the late hours or just amused us, but I offered cigarettes and beer as a good gesture. Most Muslims don't drink, but might smoke, one of the watchmen was Catholic, so he was down for a sip or two. Funny story, six of us went out to get beer, and halfway there we realized we were all from Colorado (there are about 50 in the group). Apparently we are known internationally for our debauchery, especially in Paris and London.



The courtyard outside the dorms.



The cafeteria where we enjoyed many a good meal.


(Below) the school courtyard.


We share the National University of Applied Economics (or something like that) with many other students, including Africans from other countries and those learning English. It is affiliated with the main University, Cheihk Anta Diop, but not the same thing.



He's challenged me to a game, but I don't want to embarrass him, especially since I could easily dunk over him. (I'm told these guys play dirty anyway).




I saw him later (right), and I swear heard him say something under his breath, clearly showing off for the ladies...



Making friends with Lat (spoken "Lot"), a student who works on campus.

So, we take a took classes in Wolof, the local language, but had not officially started school yet whilst living in the dorms. We registered for classes, got copies of our passports notarized (to show to any inquisitive policemen), got student ID's (will post), and a load of orientations-

Security orientation, medial orientation, gender and diversity orientation, 2 walks through the city, but my favorite was the cross-cultural orientation- I'll post one on this to educate everyone- it really is very interesting. Anyways we all meet our host families soon, whom we will be staying with for the next three months and everyone is becoming increasingly nervous, especially since we have become quite accustomed to dorm life.

I have since left the dorms, but I get lunch nearby campus. This woman makes the best beef sandwiches for a little over a buck. She tries to teach me Wolof too, but I think she knows I mainly come for the food.