Random updates

A few weeks ago some of us went to the United States Embassy for a townhall meeting to welcome the new ambassador. It was a strange experience to see other Americans. And even weirder to see a huge greenspace of real grass! I would be lying if I said I didn’t take my shoes off to enjoy the lawn. No pictures are allowed so just my memories to remember the meeting.

Ramadan started this past Sunday (April 3rd). The beginning is always a bit ambiguous because it depends on a certain person seeing the moon a certain way. But I knew it was coming up based on the stores (it is like Christmas with toys, dates, and hot chocolate lining the aisles). On Saturday I saw several people carrying dead lambs in the streets which confirmed the start. It seems as though most people are fasting. I talked to the neighbors, and they wake up around 5 am to eat before the first prayer call (and then go back to bed). Then no eating or drinking until after the sunsets and the evening prayer. This week I have to leave work early every day before lunch so I’m not sure what the break time looks like yet. All I know is that everyone seems to leave work early during Ramadan because the traffic is extra horrible so far.

You know it's Ramadan when...

Finally, April 4th was Senegal’s Independence Day. It was holiday so I didn’t have to go to work (which worked out super well since it was mom’s last day). Honestly I didn’t notice or hear of any celebrations other than a lot more people were at home. To be fair, our shower broke Monday night and we had to deal with minor flooding so my thoughts were a bit pre-occupied, but there didn’t seem to be much celebration compared to our 4th of July.