Maangi fi!

Maangi fi rek is the response to 'Nanga def?' The whole exchange means, basically, 'What's up?' and 'Nothing much'. But literally maangi ri rek means 'I am here, only'.

And I am here. In Dakar. I got here yesterday, around 6am. My allergies/congestion meant that our plane's descent and landing into the International Airport of Leopold Sedar Sengor in Dakar was marked, for me, by intense head and ear pain and vague thoughts that I might be about to die of an aneurysm. The guy next to me, who was continuing on to Capetown, kindly gave me some gum and seemed completely perplexed when I (wincing and teary-eyed from pain) managed to start bouncing in my seat with joy and excitement as we landed.

So, what I'm trying to say is that even though I still have a headache, I'm freaking out and thrilled to be here.

Well, also, I'm thrilled that I passed the visa and security check, considering that I forgot my yellow World Health Organization card that certifies that I got my yellow fever shot. You're not allowed to enter the country without it. Mine is in my mom's purse. See, mom, I TOLD you I was forgetting something important! And you were like, it's okay, whatever it is, it's not important, we can mail it! And... well, you were right. They didn't even ask me for it. :)

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT TO BE TAKEN AS ENCOURAGEMENT FOR FELLOW TRAVELERS TO TRY AND ENTER AFRICA WITHOUT YOUR YELLOW WHO CARD! Seriously, I'm gonna have to have my mom and dad mail me mine just in case anyone asks for it.

Gee, this isn't very interesting yet, is it? Well, I couldn't sleep on the plane, so I slept most of yesterday, and haven't really done anything yet! I'm staying at Good Rade, the hotel where my SIT study abroad group was put for orientation last fall. This means that everything is familiar, from the staff to the rooms to the mind-blowingly delicious croissants and weird water with food coloring and sugar that passes for orange juice.

I'm off to visit my host family and the store now. I promise that future updates will be less about airplane headaches and more about Culture and Experiences and Learning and such.

jamm ak jamm,
Robin who is Mariama again