Today was our first full day in Senegal, and it was certainly jam-packed. We left our hotel after eating breakfast by the pool and jumped into our blue bus. We started our voyage by driving through downtown Dakar and getting our first glimpse of the city. I saw people everywhere, cars rampaging through the streets, children playing, vendors, sellers, and much more. At a group debriefing session, we described our first reactions to Dakar as “vibrant”, “daunting”, and “free”. We also became quickly adjusted to the humidity and air in Dakar, noticing interesting and sometimes odd smells and aromas. We met with the director of ACI and learned about the organizations mission to promote international awareness, cross cultural communication, and solutions for local health concerns. I especially enjoyed the walking tour we took with Thiaka, our tour guide from ACI. She was so kind as she drilled us on our Wolof phrases and walked us around the neighborhood. By the way, “ Magniferique” means “I am fine”. Thiaka showed us landmarks that would help guide us to and from school, supermarkets, banks, schools, and finally our homes. The walking tour was designed to acclimate us to our surroundings before settling us into our homestays. It was a highlight of my day. 
Finally, we moved into our homestays. Jackie and I realized that our homestay experience would be a bit rustic. While some houses had full bathrooms, individual beds, air conditioning, we were placed in a simpler home. We share a bed and a room with a fan. Our household is mostly outdoors and the shower and squat toilette are in a brick hut outside of the house. While our living conditions are a bit challenging, our family has been very welcoming and kind. We have a large polygamist family with sadly no children, but plenty of nice adults. They loved the baseball caps that I brought and Jackie’s lotion that we presented to them at dinner. Regarding dinner, spicy, but pretty tasty. We had fish, onions, a spicy salad and water. We are glad to be getting a unique Senegalese experience at our home. Well, it is now 11:24 and time to sleep in our new home…. We hope we sleep alright! Goodnight!
· Note: Jackie and Kelsey made it through the night and met the group at school hale, whole. Make sure you ask them about how they proved their resourcefulness by finding a way or making one on night 1. J
