The other day, Shannon and I were talking about the possibility of making a second trip to Iles de Madeleines before our imminent departure. We recalled our visit which took place in our first two weeks here. At the time, we considered it a very serious excursion. When the taxi dropped us off, we congratulated ourselves on being so adventuresome, feeling as though we were in the middle of nowhere. Now, having passed Iles des Madeleines countless times, I know that we were right along the Corniche Ouest! Observing the shift in my perspective has been fascinating. My sense of Senegal and my ability to live within it grows daily.

My junior year Environmental Science teacher introduced me to the whole notion that the point of education is to expand that part of your knowledge that knows what you don’t know. My time here has undoubtedly expanded that part of my knowledge that knows that I don’t know.

Some silly little now/then observations and important lessons learned:

• Initially thought that everyone was poor, but can now appreciate the vast spectrum of wealth.

• First couple of weeks, in walking around Yoff, I was afraid to stray from the main roads. Everything looked identical—the buildings, the people, the street corners….But I have come to realize that I am in a constant state of evolving orientation. And getting lost every now and then is more fun than stressful.

• Now feel as though my capacity for understanding is limitless, that I will unknowingly impose limits, but I need only to become conscious of them and then do a little (or a lot) of pushing.

• For the first time, I really view myself as a living, breathing animal. My fundamental needs are no different from those of my family’s horse in Nder or George W. Bush.

• Bizarre as this may sound, I have come to take a certain amount of comfort in the lack of “sterility” here as The States can be so very sterile—both literally and figuratively. The act of living has almost become taboo in The States. Living implies suffering, but, in The States, those who are outwardly suffering are oftentimes separated from the rest of the supposedly healthy population.

• Have never felt so devoid of spirituality. There is a certain stigma attached to displays of spirituality in The States, well that’s actually a very big lie, but it does apply for Cambridge, Massachusetts. Admittedly, I used to feel a bit uncomfortable when someone would just drop to his or her knees and start praying. But now I’m a bit envious of those who are able to disentangle themselves from their immediate surroundings, the demands of the material world, and regularly touch base with some greater force.

• Initially possessed no desire to learn Wolof or, for that matter, faith that I could. However, I now understand a certain amount of time and immersion must occur to generate the foundation for such interest. Time alone allowed for the cultivation of a desire not just to learn Wolof but to penetrate my surroundings a bit further.

• Have found it so very nice to be exempt from all (superficial) societal norms.

• Have been able to level myself by treading upon that which is wholly un-level. If that makes any sense whatsoever. I can change my behavior, alter all those superficial preferences, but maintain my core.

• Can find those little rituals that give me purpose regardless of where I am.

• My humanity may just be one of my most redeeming qualities.