Since Dakar is about 3-4 hours away I do not know if we will have a chance to meet, but it would be very nice if that happened. I am here to do teacher training seminars and workshops for newly hired teachers who do not have formal education training. That is moving very slowly. Looking forward to hearing from you.
My stay in Senegal has been delightful, rewarding, and wonderful. If I gave a different impression it is NOT my intention. I do find humor and surprise in many ways and enjoy that as part of my learning.
I find many of your comments exagerated... Since your stay has been quite unpleasant and uncomfortable, why would you stay? I find the culture and hospitality rather beautiful and something I could only pray for Americans. And it appears you have the common disrespect of a typical American. Go home!
Group coming to Dakar Dear Yanick, I am a member of UTC and saw your blog excerpt on the UTC on line newsletter. I am a professional meeting planner and have a group of MBA students who will be in Ghana and Senegal from Stanford University March 21-31, 2010. I would like to learn more about the work you are doing there. They will be in Dakar March 28-31. I am currently working with the University - As I complete their itinerary, I will keep you in the loop. God Bless and I hope to speak to you soon.
Interesting Christmas I am on my way to South Africa; but I had to share my thoughts on your recent blog. I chuckled on several occasions at how candid you were especially about the mosquitoes. I had been for warned, and then there was you saying the same thing that I had been told. Unfortunately for me, I am not only disturbed by them, but I am almost always the only one bitten; I have procured the chemical Off, because I must protect my self since I will be in Zaire, the capital of mosquito-doom.
I appreciate that you have accepted that where you are is now the accepted norm, and have worked on making the adjustments, example Christmas. I am looking forward to sharing New Years day in Cape Town and experiencing the difference.
Thank you for sharing Yanick,
Indeed there are no coincidences in life since it is an activity in Divine Mind, and those participating are Divinely ordained to show up, share, learn and disseminate. I am learning so much through you; please remember that your blogs are helping me to take a look at my thinking, in addition to allowing me to journey with you. I am keeping you lifted in consciousness as you do the work your Good has chosen for you. Namaste.
I do accept that I am the ram! Not that I want to be sacrificed, of course, but that there is something I am to do. I listen daily and hear some answers, but it is an ongoing effort. Your prayers and good wishes help me tremendously in expecting more clarity and joy in the process.
Greetings have become not only "proper" but I like the personal contacts, comments, and exchanges. (Had to get over myself some!). Water is not better, and electricity is ... often sporadic. I do check my email regularly, so I get messages there very easily.
Hello from Florida Hello Yanick,
I am really delighted and am enjoying your adventures.
I trust by now you have mastered their art of greeting and your water flow has increased. I can only imagine how anxious you are to get started and to see the progress in the present and future teachers. Do continue with your patience and I am praying for a structured teaching plan to be developed.
Tabaski is quite a celebration and I love the call-and-response formula. The people do not have much but they always share with others. You also did your part by taking a meal to the elderly uncle.
Be safe and healthy.
Constance
P.S. Yanick, please let me know if you received my regular email also. I do not want to send twice. Thanks.
You Are the Ram! What an interesting read, and what an intriguing challenge you have ahead of you, but you have already been captured; you are the ram, and your are your own resource. With your back ground in education and the oral tradition of the people, maybe you can start there. Now I get why YOU are there. We always advocate as Truth students that we are always in our right places, and has stated it most profoundly: we cannot come up with a question without having the answer. I will pray with you Yanick that the answer will come swiftly, and you will know just what to do. You are growing and acclimating well...Go(o)d speed; I will keep you in highest consciousness, and pray with you as the answer reveals it/ themself/ves.
Giving Thanks My mother has driven the point 'don't sweat the small stuff home'. To take these lessons further, I would like to add that this is the season to appreciate the small stuff. I am appreciative of the unending support, words of advice and constructive feedback, an appreciation of the world's diversity, and a wonderful upbringing. The beauty of the gift of giving is that the giver isn't always aware of the impact of a seemingly small event on the other side of the globe (butterfly effect), but I get constant thanks for giving them access to your wonderful thoughts and experiences.
You are loved, by all.
Patience, Religion, Dust As I read your blog, I came to understand more fully how much we are all alike no matter where we are in politics, religion, and the desire to define ourselves within our self imposed culture. Since we come from the same ONENESS that is understandable. I applaude you for your undertaking; it is obviously your mission from God, I am sure that you are learning much about your self, and I am learning through you what appears to be of most importance to me. Thank you for your blogs; since I am already contemplating my moves in 2012, I now know that the time is now to discover my true priorities.
I remember that the cities outside of Dakar are even more dusty that the capital. At the end of my trip to the Gambia and Banjul; my attire did not look anything like it did when I left Dakar!!:) God speed and Namaste...
It would make sense that people find natural means to take care of common needs. I will see if I can find out about this plant. Often names are different so it may not be exactly the same as India, but probably similar.
How Interesting!! I am learning so much about Senegal that I could not have learned during the time that I was there. There is much that is familiar though, like the garbage, and the goats, etc around the houses; I saw the same thing in Ghana and the surrounding areas. I do not know if I can live like that; I have become soooo Euro-centric that I must have cleanliness if nothing else. I do not mind the simplicity, but where I am must be clean. I had that experience in Honduras too because I chose to live with the indigenous people, but I worked very hard on cleanliness even in the face of so much garbage and cultural indifference. While I am in South Africa, I am going to both Soweto and Botswana to check on employment/volunteering, beginning 2012; most important will be finding a clean place to stay. I will hold to the belief that I will find the right place for me. I am so intrigued by your mail; for me, I am there with you since much of what you have written I have experienced...the eating with the fingers, the sharing of the food items from a common bowl, the sitting on the floor, etc....I am truly learning so much more too; keep wiriting and sharing. Namaste!
What an adventure Keep em comming kid. We certainly enjoy reading about your adventures. We love you and we bless you and I hope that you soon get your assignment
Tooth cleaning stick Hi Yanick! It's so wonderful to read your adventures in Senegal. Thanks for sharing them! I so look forward to reading them.
As regards the fibrous, bristly stick that people clean their teeth with, I wonder if it is neem, from the neem tree?
This is traditionally used in India for the same thing. And yes, it has medicinal and antibacterial properties. The neem tree has long, thin green leaves and white berries/flowers when in bloom. The twig is chewed at the ends to fan them out, then used to brush teeth.
Neem is also excellent for killing parasites and for all types of skin problems. While working on Anguilla as a massage therapist, I picked up something from a client that began on my arms and spread all over my body, with intense itching. I boiled neem into a tea, doused myself and also drank it. Within 48 hours I was healed! Neem is my favorite plant for sure!
Do you know if this plant is what locals are using?
Blessings my traveling sister!
Sue
Rev Sabrina Ray
non-member comment
Wonderful
Yanick This seems so natural and inspiring. Continue to share the blessing that you are. Peace and Happy New You Rev. Ray