Haiku #4 (Halfway)

The five month stasis

The midpoint of my journey

Yet five months remain

"Got 'Til It's Gone"

"Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone."

Being here in Dakar, Senegal has truly opened my eyes to the blessings that I took for granted back at home in the United States. I've adapted to living in a developing nation but this experience has given me a new appreciation for many of the things that I used to take for granted.

1.) Connectivity:

Thankfully, my house here is equipped with wireless internet yet it still doesn't compare to the ease of communication I had before. The first few weeks I was here I nearly felt naked without my phone. The access to the web, social media, news and people that was once in the palms of my hands was now only available inside my home while posted in front of a stationary screen. Of course, that was all dependent on the fickle electricity, which brings me to my second point.

2.) Electricity:

Temperatures reaching beyond 100 degrees, insane humidity, and your only relief is from a temperamental oscillating fan – when the power is on that is. That statement sums up my first month in Dakar. I arrived in the rainy season which meant boiling temps, humidity like I had never experienced and torrential downpours that knocked the power grid offline multiple times a day.

It came to a point where I would make "to do" lists of tasks to accomplish when the power came back on. Every blog post, AIM conversation, or Skype session began with a prayer that the electricity would hold out until its conclusion.

Electricity, although important, is not essential and its scarcity doesn't carry the same weight as the global water crisis.

3.) Water:

Fortunately, having clean drinking water has not been an issue for me, however, it certainly is for millions, if not billions, around the world. Recently, a team of artists, activists, and experts climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for the issue. The Summit on The Summit, headed by singer/songwriter/producer Kenna, sought not only to raise funds but to raise awareness. Names like Lupe Fiasco, Jessica Biel, Santigold, and Elizabeth Gore participated in the climb.

In my case the necessities of water were taken care of but the luxuries – not so much. By luxury I'm referring to hot water. Bathing in cold water day in and day out has really given me a new appreciation for even luke warm showers. Dare I admit to having dreams of warm cascading waters.

4.) Independence:

Getting plopped down in a new city, in a new country, in a new continent, where most everyone speaks a different language made me more dependent on others than I have been in years. It was a huge adjustment to have to rely on others for food, transportation, and even to communicate with people. All of a sudden I had to depend on other people for most of the things I needed and wanted for everyday life.

I think the biggest change was transportation. Going from having a car and access to Washington, D.C.'s Metro (which I will argue is the best mass transit system in the U.S.) to Dakar where my options are overcrowded and unreliable buses, expensive taxis, and the good ol' left-right-left.

However, what I miss the most are the people.

5.) People:

Sure the internet can connect me to friends and family by means of AIM, Gchat Facebook, Twitter, Skype, and email but it just doesn't compare to the ease of staying in contact with people that I had at home. Basically, my connection to people at home is largely dependent on me sitting in front of the computer whereas before I could fully experience life without sacrificing my connection to my network.

More importantly is the lack of face-to-face interaction. I have found a few friends here who have been really great but they don't compare to the bonds that have been years in the making – some that have been cultivated my entire life.

Please don't take this as a list of complaints rather it's a reminder of the blessings for which I should be grateful. When I return to the States I hope to be able to look back at this in order to greater appreciate these things, to put my life in perspective.

"Joni Mitchell never lies, lies, lies ..."

This post was inspired by Charlotte Young's post "ThInGs I No LoNgEr TaKe FOr GrAntEd."

How Can We Help Haiti?

Last week Port-au-Prince was devastated by a 7.0 earthquake that both literally and figuratively ripped apart they ground they stoop upon. Early estimates place the death toll in the hundreds of thousands while bodies are still being recovered. Haiti, the most fiscally impoverished nation in the Western Hemisphere, is now left with thousands of citizens without homes, a demolished infrastructure, and a need for outside assistance. However, therein lies another problem – what is the best way to aid Haiti in their time of crisis?

The president of Senegal, Abdoulaye Wade, has taken a step to assist those affected by the earthquake.

"The president is offering voluntary repatriation to any Haitian that wants to return to their origin ... Senegal is ready to offer them parcels of land - even an entire region. It all depends on how many Haitians come," said Wade's spokesman, Mr Bemba Ndiaye, to BBC News."If it's just a few individuals, then we will likely offer them housing or small pieces of land. If they come en masse we are ready to give them a region."

This offer is great – in theory. In reality – not so much. Senegal is a developing nation that struggles to provide for its population of nearly 14 million. That along with the general public's distaste for Wade has caused quite the stir here. Many believe that Wade cannot follow through on his promise while others fear that he will do so but at the expense of Senegal. The general consensus that I've received is that people here are willing to aid, willing to sacrifice even but bringing evacuees to Senegal will result in a lose-lose situation for all parties.

It's my belief that this was simply a political gesture. This was his way to play the role of a caring humanitarian on the world's stage while neglecting that same role domestically.

Perhaps other nations (nations with more land, resources, and finances) will take this as a charge and offer similar aid to the people of Haiti. The simple fact that he made this declaration before others could do so should be seen as an embarrassment to the conscience of the developed world.

What do you think? What's the best way to help Haiti?

Stand Tall Togo

Just a few days ago a bus carrying the national team from Togo was met with gunfire from a separatist movement in the host nation Angola. The attack resulted in the deaths of three associates of the club and many injuries including some of the players.

The team wished to stay and compete in honor of the fallen but, against their wishes, top authorities called them home. Team captain Emmanuel Adebayor had this to say to RMC (French radio), "We had a meeting between players yesterday (Saturday) and we told ourselves we were football players and decided to do something nice for our country by playing to pay tribute to those who died ... Unfortunately, the head of state and the country's authorities have made a different decision, so we will pack and go home."

Unfortunately, this incident may put the international view of soccer in Africa in jeopardy in a time that was representative of positive progression. Currently, Africa is getting long-past due recognition in the realm of soccer. The continent hosted the under 20 World Cup in Egypt this past September (which Ghana won, making them the first African team to capture the championship), the under 17 World Cup in October and the 2010 World Cup this summer will be held in South Africa marking the first time that the international competition will be hosted in Africa.

One can't help but to think that this could have negative effects on the upcoming World Cup in South Africa. An act of terror in Angola says little if anything about security in South Africa but the world has a tendency to lump all of Africa together as if it was one singular nation, one singular culture, one singular entity. Africa is a vast continent made up of 53 nations spread out over nearly 12 million square miles yet people are so quick to connect the entire land. I fear this isolated incident, which occurred hundreds of miles away from the World Cup sites, could dampen the upcoming historical event.

Do you think this will affect the 2010 World Cup? If so, will those actions be justified? Please comment below with your responses – I'm interested to hear what you all have to say.

Flashing Lights (Welcome 2010!)

There was no elaborate countdown. No ball dropped. In fact I only realized that the new year had begun when I noticed that I was alone in the room. I followed the voices in the distance to the balcony where everyone had gathered and immediately I saw what had drawn them all there.

Brilliant and vibrant lights exploded all over the city of Dakar. Colorful bursts lit up the night sky in all directions. It appeared as if a competition of sorts was taking place. Fireworks from the east would be met with a showing from the west and then outdone by an amazing display from the north. The stunning light show blazed into the sky all around me, a sure positive omen of the year to come.

Rudolph ... SABS Style

A fellow fellow, (excuse the pun) taught her 6th grade class the Holiday classic ,"Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer." She then captured it so you all could get a glimpse. Check it out here!

http://youngcharlotte.blogspot.com/2009/12/rudolph.html

'Tis The Season?

It doesn't feel like Christmas.

When I began this journey in Senegal, nearly four months ago, I figured that the holidays would be the most difficult time for me while I was here. In my 23 years I have never spent a Christmas away from my family so as the holiday season approached I prepared myself to deal with some intense homesickness. However, the anticipated nostalgia isn't anywhere near where I expected it to be. In fact, this season isn't really affecting me at all.

No, I haven't donned emotional armor or have a heart that has turned to stone; it just doesn't feel like Christmas.

I think the absence of the seasonal sentiment can be attributed to a couple of factors. The first of which is the weather here. I grew up in Michigan where, like most places in the United States, there are four distinct seasons. Of course Michigan's winters are rivaled by few other states but across the country winter's cold thaws into spring, spring heats up into summer, summer falls into autumn then it comes full-circle back to winter where the cycle continues. These changing seasons also serve as benchmarks for passage of time. However, in Senegal there are really only two seasons, rainy and dry. So here all my body recognizes is that it was rainy when I arrived and now it's not. The significant changes that occur over the course of four months in the states do not happen here so my whole body clock is kind of thrown off. Not to mention my December in Dakar feels more like September.

Also, the commercial Christmas spirit in Dakar is nowhere near the frenzy it is in America. At home I'm accustomed to hearing Christmas songs 24/7 starting with Thanksgiving. I think I've heard a grand total of two Christmas tunes this holiday season. There are no Santa statuettes on every corner, no toy ads littering the media, and the few decorations are just now starting to pop up with less than a week left before the 25th.

So how does one miss out on a holiday that doesn't appear to be going on?

'Tis the season?

Doesn't really feel like it.