Waking up at 5am and going on a 7 hour road trip to a place that is like no other nor what I am used to brought me unusual Joy (no pun intended). Whilst on the road we saw a lot of people that seemed so happy even though their area didn’t necessarily look like something that would bring them happiness. It brought them happiness because they had each other. As we drove East from the coast, the landscape of tall grasses and shrubs stretched on and on. The air was tinted red with dust. The people in the different villages find pleasure in their work which was usually selling fruit on the roadside. In the hot climate, shade is valuable territory, for selling, for resting, and for being together. Under the sun the relentless sun others were lifting really heavy goods, farming and trimming different crops.
Today opened my eyes on how American culture teaches us to work hard to get money to in turn have a happy life, where as in Senegal they are thought to be happy, kind and thoughtful, no matter what. It’s a strange important lesson I learnt today. I say this because it didn’t seem like much when we were in the van but looking at the people that make “Senegal” Senegal opened up my eyes. It has only been the second full day but I am filled with so much hope, happiness and a fierceness to carry the warmth of the Senegalese people back to CCS.
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