This morning started off as I attempted to speed walk across the sand to get to the health clinic. I dont know if you've ever tried speed walking on sand, but it doesn't really work in your interest-- so basically, i was the stupid Toubab kicking sand in all directions. I was in a rush because for whatever reason, I thought that our site visit from the program would be at the house, only to get a call telling me to get to the clinic because they had been waiting for me. I found out after this morning that if be necessary, it is possible to get to work in 15 minutes by foot, and still manage to also greet (some) people along the way.
We had our review and such, discussed the fact that everythings fine and that Im still alive, which I guess is good. Waly said his words and my internship adviser gave his-- including a comment that I was a bit timid which is not the first time someone has said that about me in Senegal. I guess for one reason or another, I have become more reserved over this past year, if not significantly quieter than who I was a dozen of months ago. Not to mention that my wisdom teeth growing in has probably also decreased the number of words that come out of my mouth. Maybe the change is good, maybe not. On verra.
After that was over, I walked over to the maternity ward where Im working this week. On the way, two trucks full of Toubab (most likely American) soldiers passed me. It was pretty funny to see all their heads turn to stare at the Asian. I was probably as surprised to see them as they were to see me.
At work, no one showed up for an hour. This is kinda how the maternity ward functions... all the patients are (literally) huddled in a room before I even get there each day. The administrators (nurse, midwives, etc) don't come into until, well, from what Ive observed... whenever they so choose to. Needless to say, its pretty slow there because I dont do much, but I guess that doesnt mean that I don't learn a lot from observation. In fact, each patient when they come in, instead of getting their temperature taken as they all do at the main poste de santé, gets a pelvic exam. So basically, Ive seen way more of the Senegalese woman's body than I'd ever intended to. Also, did you know it only costs roughly 10 dollars to give birth there?
After work, I ran and caught a Njiangjia (refresher: old bus significantly overoccupied) to Rufisque (for 200fCFA) where I needed to get money from the ATM (BICIS). On the way there, I had a nice conversation (as best as I could) with a woman, a four year old girl, and some guy in Wolof and Sereer. The guy kept trying to convince me to be his third wife and I kept thinking of excuses to decline. "I dont have time marry because Im a student," "I dont cook well", and "I already have two husbands" were just some that I came up with.
The njiangjia trip back was pretty uneventful. When we got to Sébi, I signaled to the guy to stop so I could get off. As I hopped off the bus, I felt something pull me back. My skirt got caught on an old peice of metal randomly sticking out of the bus. Thankfully, I was wearing underwear; yet, my ass was still in everyone's face. For this super conservative culture (at least concernign the lower half of the body).. that was a major league no-bueno. Im pretty positive that walking away from the bus, the Senegalese who got a sneak peak underneath my skirt were far more embarassed than I was.
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