This past week was wonderfully comfortable and fun. Work on our main project, the wall, is coming along at lightning speed, and the villagers are finally beginning to understand that we do not mind shoveling sand (even if we are dripping with sweat!) The students are teaching regular English lessons which are also progressing marvelously. It is both impressive and encouraging to see how motivated the Senegalese students are to learn English, especially the high school aged kids. Interactions between our students and local teenagers also help to facilitate great conversations while easing the French language barrier. We have also begun some sketches for mural paintings on the walls in a few of the classrooms.
On Wednesday, one of our friends in the village had a birthday so we threw her a little party in recognition. It was great fun and bonding with our village friends, and we got to try a sort of funky shrimp chip; a Senegalese specialty.
This weekend we are in St. Louis, a colonial city situated on the northern coast, with lots of history and a tranquil feel to it. Everyone is extremely happy to have showers, flush toilets, electricity, and a chance to truy relax! Yesterday we took a pirogue tour along the Langue de Barbarie, a national bird reserve off the coast. We were delighted to find a beach with gigantic waves-- we were all craving some good wave jumping action!
Last night the restaurant where we had dinner had live music after the meal, highlighted by a fire dancer who literally ate balls of fire! We were convinced that he had a few tricks up his sleeve, but he insisted that it is all in the skill.
We have a week and a half left in Mbissel, with independent projects underway and more exciting things to come!
Bye for now,
Amelia and Chris
