Halfway There

Today was the first day off from work since it started last Monday. Today also marks the halfway point in this trip. Both of these facts are good news, with the later being more than a little exciting. I've reached a point where the days are now counting down. Every day that goes by will be one that brings me closer to home. I think I can survive 12 days. Tomorrow, I'll get my AP exam score, I'll meet up with Isabella, and I'll go to the soireé with the other interns. The next day, Anjeli will be back in Bethesda, reducing the time difference to 4 hours. After those two days, it'll have been 15 days in the country for me, and my life will probably continue to get easier. These past three days have been easy, calm, and not at all worrying. I hope this trend will continue, but as of now, my biggest problem is loneliness, and it is a problem that seems to slowly be dissipating. With Anjeli closer, and with the interns friendlier, I hope that this experiment will continue to improve. 

I woke up at 8:30, and after a breakfast and a shower, I headed to the Institute, where I met up with Babacar's brother Mustafa. We took a taxi to downtown Dakar, where we bought gris-gris. After Mustafa had breakfast (at 11:00), we headed to the Marché Kermel, where I bought more souvenirs. It was all very expensive, and although I was able to effectively bargain, I still paid an extreme, embarrassing amount of money. I was left with 4500 CFA and 5 Euro, so after eating my lunch with the family, I went with Mustafa to exchange the money. I then went to the Institute, where I am now.

Today is the birthday of Seydina Limamou Laye, and a great holiday in Layenism. I was invited by my host family to come with them to the mosque to hear the songs. I will be lent Issa's white robes. I'm excited. It'll be my first time in the mosque, and I'm sure it'll be a very interesting experience. 

Right now, with 50% of the trip behind me, my biggest problems are loneliness, boredom, and awkwardness. I have adapted to the madness, and although showers are still a stressful time, I have even come to accept life with rats. Humans are incredibly adaptable.