One week ago today I moved host families. My other host family lived pretty far away from GEEP and I was spending a substantial amount of time each day waiting for the bus, sitting in traffic, or trying to barter for expensive taxi rides home. My time and money was just disappearing too quickly, along with my sanity, so based on that and a few other things, I made the choice to move to a house within walking distance of GEEP.
I can't even begin to express how pleased I am that I made this decision. My experience in Dakar now has improved so much, it's like night and day. Many people told me to remember that this is my experience and if I'm truly unhappy with something, I need to make an effort to change it. Although I knew it would be potentially awkward and maybe even offensive, it had to be done, and the positives FAR outweigh the negatives.
My new family consists of Abby (my host mom) and her husband and our two sassy, awesome maids. Abby is an incredibly intelligent woman who speaks perfect English and is just the sweetest thing ever. My family is pretty religious and that is a really interesting thing to observe and be a part of now. Abby's husband is here for two days and then gone for two days then back for two days... I haven't asked why, but this typically means he has a second wife that he spends the other two days with in between.
I am absolutely SPOILED at my new house hahaha! Each meal here is incredible (I will try to take more pictures of food, sorry), I have wifi 24-7, our house is beautiful with a courtyard and garden, and to top it off.... I have hot showers!!! I also am about 1 mile from GEEP so I can walk there and get in some good exercise each morning and evening. We're right by a big landmark in an open area that is clearly lit so it's very safe for me to be coming and going and taxi drivers never get lost or become frustrated when I don't recognize my neighborhood. I really could not be happier with my new family, home, and location.... I hope Abby wants a new daughter because I'm probably never leaving hahaha.
The following are pictures of my amazingly beautiful new home!
WOW!! This place is BEAUTIFUL!! You must feel like a princess. And, mosquito netting around your bed, how very nice. It's so clean and tidy....do they keep it that way? All the beautiful colors, plants and pictures....How can you leave to it to go to work?
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