Just like a Woman

If i haven't mentioned it already I spend almost every morning (at site) with my women's group. The time I roll in always changes but none the less I always show up, greet everyone and then sit quietly and listen to then rapid fire wolof at eachother. This can be really tiring and awekward because I feel as if I should join in the discussion, but don't know what to say/wouldn't be able to get a word in anyways.
I decided I will know I am fluent when I can understand Astou...the loudest and quickest of them all. I also have a suspicion she is the funniest, so I would REALLY like to know what she is saying. Anyways, I do this everyday to listen to wolof and get to know the women. This is sorta a funny way to put it, because i really am not learning too much about them, but being around and talking, when i can get a word in, goes along way. In their own right, they are an impressive group of women and I really am hoping to gain their respect. So I go and I sit, listen and stare...it makes me feel a little creepy.

However, today I made a break through. I made them carrot cake. Sorry dad I know your feelings about carrot cake, but they were so amused when i mentioned we had such things in america, that I just had to make one. I spent last night translating a recipe into french for the women and this morning I successfully baked a carrot cake. It was great!! It gave me something to talk about with the women, I proved I could do things (women things at that) and taught them something. I will say it turned out so good (it tasted like autumn in my mouth). One of the older ladies even did the neex na dance. (Neex na means it's good)... They even talked of selling it at the restaurant.

My two freinds

I also went to the beach and was joined by some of my semi-usual friends. These two little girls that live near by, I think. I know i was asking them correctly where they lived, but the problem with little kids is they don't always like to respond to me, or don't seem to know how to answer my questions. Anyways, they tend to appear whenever I am there just before the sunset. They always play around me, demand for my books and then eventually make me help them disrobe so they can swim. This always make me slightly uncomfortable bc here I am helping them get naked on the beach (they have undies on) and then giving them permission to play in the water. I can only imagine what would happen if i did this in the states, but here the closest adult tend to be the "designated" parent. So after asking about thier mother the first few times, I quickly gave up and now help them disrobe and watch them as they run in and out of the ocean. I have to admit, I always look forward to seeing them.