Mariame Diop

So far I like my third name the best. It's been the easiest to say, and the easiest to have people understand. Here in Senegal "Sara" is the brand name for things like spam and dish soap, and the other name I was given - Khrady - involves a lot of "r" sounds that I kind of can't make. So Mariame was a good start to Mouit.













My homestay in Mouit started last Saturday, until Tuesday afternoon.
I stayed with Fatou, and two of her husband's brother's three wives. I had one of the kids write down everyones' names and how they fit into the family, and still left a little confused.
But it was amazing living with these three women, and eight children.
It was definitely a different experience than the Kedougou village; for one thing, the TV was always on, and I definitely didn't bring enough clothing or makeup.


Sunday was the 28th, which is the day the eco guards go count the birds in la Langue de Barbarie. Three other students and I were living in families with eco guards (Mouit residents who work in the national park to take care of the park and animals, educate visitors, and involve the community in its conservation) so we were fortunate enough to go along on the count, and to have the most incredible breakfast picnic ever.


Birds on the island within the Senegalese River La Langue de la Barbarie is a stretch of beach between the ocean and the river.













Two of my Mouit sisters, Astou and Ngone. I'm not quite sure how they're related to the mothers in my house, but I know they are staying in Mouit to go to school in the village's secondary school.


Here are some of the eco guards, and our breakfast of bread with meat and onion sauce, coffee and soda. It was an amazing combination. Added to the fact we were sitting in the softest sand, surrounded by water - I'm starting to think the Williams dining halls are not so amazing...