2 weeks (exactly) in

First of all, apologies for not updating this sooner. It has been really busy here since my arrival leaving me little time for internet cafe usage. I will, however, try to remember all that has happened to me in the last 14 days and the highlights of the "culture shock".

I live with a local family here who seem lovely, as far as I can tell with the language barrier. Having come to Senegal as a way of improving my French, I have discovered that French is hardly spoken on a day to day basis here. St Louis-ians (?) speak predominantly in Wolof, a local language of one of the biggest ethnic groups. They all generally understand French (with the exception of the "talibés" street children, and the maid Umi) but nevertheless I have enrolled in French classes to ensure I do get maximum French talking time.

As far as daily life goes, it is a slightly bizarre juxtaposition of imported Western ideas with traditonal culture. Since arriving the mother of the family has worn full "boubous" (traditional dress in beautiful fabrics and headdress) but yesterday appeared at the door in an adidas shell suit. Similarly the food we eat is a mixture of styles. Lunch never varies, and is always the traditional Thieboudjenn (prononounced - chey-boo-jun) which I have come to love. It is essentially rice soaked in lots of spices and chillis and limes served with fish, cabbage and carrots similarly soaked. Vegetables are rarely eaten, I am always being shooed away from the solitary carrot in the thieboudjenn which appears to be there exclusively for decoration. For dinner the more "western" stuff is served, always with mounds of onions. Yesterday was, thrillingly, egg and chips but with Dairylee triangles just placed on top alongwith onions and peppers sort-of mushed together. More exciting is the way we eat, all sat on the floor round one bowl with our hands - very messy but rather fun. About 10 to 20 people from the extended family are all present for this, as they are for most things here, extended family being very important.

The toilet situation - my biggest fear has resolved itself quite happily. When I first arrived the (outside) toilet was a whole in the ground which a toilet had been placed precariously on top of. But I got home from work last week to find it had been plumbed in with a flush and everything!! Still no toilet paper, however.

In terms of the work I am crazily busy atm, which is fantastic. I am teaching English to both 14 / 15 year olds and tutoring adults in the evening. The adult classes are going really they love me, which is always good. I teach both beginners and a really advanced class. In the advanced class we discuss the cultural differences between Senegal and Britain, which has been my favourite thing so far. We had a really fascinating discussion on gender equality and polygamy, which is the norm here in Senegal. And women's rights are a widely contested subject. In terms of the school I teach at, I am mostly observing classes for the present and since it is exam time I have horrific amounts of marking to do . . . which I am off to do now.

I will attempt to be more efficient at updating my blog in future, and once my parents have sent out my camera cord via DHL I will add some photos as well!