Emma Clippinger is our verbal tour guide through the remote town of Dakar, Senegal. She is a 19-year-old eager to start at Brown University next year. She is studying in Senegal in hopes of having the adventure of a lifetime. She has been there for less than a month but has already realized her hope. She spent a week in London visiting family before leaving civilization for a French speaking culture unlike any other in the world. Her very first post was filled with a full spectrum of emotions:
In thirty some hours I will be arriving in Dakar, Senegal. Oy. My right leg, which is presently crossed over the left, has not stopped shaking since this morning. And if my legs have not been in the position to annoyingly twitch, my fingers will find something to manipulate, distort, break....I am a muddle of emotions that lie somewhere on the fear/excitement spectrum. And, at times, hit or even exceed the extremes. Just one week ago, I had finished my final shopping spree, having hit every store (Bob Smith's Wilderness House, REI, EMS, City Sports) in Boston's so-called Sporting Goods District in one day. Finding every last item on my list while seeking bargains--it wasn't easy; I credit stamina, true grit, and one too many soy lattes.
She then went on to post some helpful tips like:
1) Compile your packing list waaay in advance and actually begin accumulating the items on your list waaay in advance as well. Mid-January in Boston, sporting goods stores sell skis and ice picks and huge down jackets and wool socks....not bug spray, sunscreen, sandals, light-weight shirts, pants, etc. Such stores may be having sales, but a Winter Blowout Sale! will most likely be on winter merchandise.
And:
1) Be prepared for the monetary sum-total of all of your vaccines, supplies, medications, travel equipment etc. to be enough to feed a sizeable region of the country you are visiting. The more remote the country you are visiting, the more you will probably spend to get yourself there. I found this reality a bit depressing. However, all the precautionary measures taken and vats of vitamins purchased were necessary. I think. 2) Food bars. 3) You can pack too much. I did. Just last week it was suggested that I post my packing list-- a reasonable enough idea. However, I have no idea what is in my bags (one pack and one duffle). Lots of heavy items--sunscreen, soap, shampoo, contact solution, pills galore, insect repellent. For once in my life I actually kept clothes to a minimum, but nevertheless, those bags seem to encompass their own sphere of reality.
Just like Phil, Emma has already begun to acquire a fan base of interested passengers. An encouraging twenty-five-year-old Pittsburgh native responded to a post Emma wrote about becoming ill her first week with:
I don't know if this will be a comfort or not but I found that stomach things became a way of life for me when I lived in China. I know the terrain is different and so is the bacteria but once you get used to it you won't even notice. Good luck adjusting. It is great hearing your stories as I may be going to Africa soon myself. Keep 'em coming!
She certainly will keep them coming, and with an interest in writing and literature, you can be sure each new post will be enthralling.
Click here to return to the rest of the newsletter.
|
