week one, plus a couple...

A couple of interesting things to share:

Friday evening we went to a local soccer game. For those who have never been to a soccer game abroad—you should, but with caution! This was the local championship game; between neighborhoods. It was held at the national soccer stadium—which was about half full. Of course, we (6 of us) were the only white people in the entire stadium. Eventually the white jersey team scored. Crowd goes wild! People screaming in French, Wolof or just screaming and dance awesome African dance moves! Half time, there’s a small band. Second half starts and the ‘other’ team scores a couple of minutes in. All of a sudden the field is filled with smoke bombs and all we can see of the other side are small fires popping up in the cement stands. Some smoke clears and we realize that the other side has split like Moses should be standing on the score board. The police AND present military personnel go running with full size shields and long rubber clubs to meet the divided people before they get to ‘our’ side of the stadium. “Our” side of the stadium just watches in disbelief and start to strategize a possible evacuation plan. After a 15-20 minute delay, with the teams jogging and doing warm up on the side lines—the ruckus is squelched.
I was in a similar- though slightly more treacherous- situation in Argentina in 2001. Thus I was fairly surprised that the only time our side of the stadium really reacted was when one of the police rough-handedly removed a rowdy crowd member. After the fact, I realized that it was pretty cool that the crowd wouldn’t let the police over step their boundaries either.

Then Friday night I was coming home from a friends and I got lost in the taxi. I might normally ask myself: how could this happen and how could it really be my fault? Well, there are no real fixed addresses. Similarly, it’s also quite Senegalese to tell you that they know something and to really pretend they do, but in reality have no idea. Thus, being in a sprawled city of approximately 2 million inhabitants, where I’m sure no urban planner has ever visited or been invited and after being here for 1 week I was expected to find my way home, in the dark, w/ no address and do it all in French or Wolof… HA! Riiight!
It took twice as long than expected and I ended up paying more than anticipated but I made it! For those of you wondering why he wouldn’t just drive off and possibly hold this American for ransom, I don’t think that was really an option for him. The way and amount of times he questioned if it was really my neighborhood and if I was really ok makes me think he really wanted to make sure I got home safely. Of course once I got out he was probably thinking that all Americans are this naïve and/or ridiculous….oops. I plan on getting a map this week and maybe even a tour!

THEN, late that night I did have my first ever run in with Montezuma’s revenge. Yes, it followed me across the ocean! For those of you who don’t know about the revenge, lets just say “severe traveler’s gastro-intestinal issues.” I’m glad to say it didn’t stay too long and today I actually woke up slightly hungry! One important lesson reinforced during this experience: don’t put off until tomorrow what can be done today. If you only have 4 sheets of toilet paper, don’t wait until the next day to get more because you never when you might really need it. I guess it’s all part of the experience…

The rest of the week was rather uneventful. I’m rocking out past tense in French! Next weekend, I might take to a boat ride to the Gambia (find it on a map and tell a friend!!) with a young British girl, Swedish guy and 62 year old nun. In the meantime, more walking through sandy dust clouds to school, eating unrecognizable meats, French, and hello Obama!!