During a long-distance trip between rural towns, a taxi I was riding stopped in the middle way because the car got a flat tire. Flat tires are so rare cases in Japan, but in Senegal, it will occasionally happen several car troubles, includ…

I came to Dakar, which is the capital city. It is only urban areas where are lively relating to Christmas. Big supermarkets and restaurants are decorated with lights and trees. I saw a Santa Claus alone in a shopping mall, so I approached …

The first semester is done. It starts the winter break. Now is in December, but I'm still taking showers with cold water in my house. I'm feeling cold, but only cold water comes out from the faucet because it doesn't have a funtion to warm…

When I come home after my work at elementary schools, I always feel incredibly sleepy. Then I take a nap for sure. Why do I feel incredibly sleepy? My view is that my brain is tired because I'm talking to a lot of people being energetic an…

I walk only on sandy paths every day. This walking activity helps to strengthen muscles I never use in Japan. In December, the first semester ends in Senegal. The semester test was held at school. This exam takes two days. There is only on…

Senegalese school have subjects including French, math, science, social studies, arts and crafts, music, physical education and Arabic. French and math lessons are given every day. In some schools, the main language is Arabic. Other subjec…

Saturdays and Sundays are my day off. I have basically been invited to Senegalese homes on national holidays, but it was the first time that I was invited to a Senegalese home on a normal day. I was happy and said immediately, "I'll go!" T…

During the break time between lessons, elementary school teachers gather in one place to take a rest, sitting closely each other on wooden benches. There is no staff room. There is only a roof. At that time, four female teachers start some…

In December, watermelons are still in season in Senegal! The daytime temperature is more than 35 degrees Celsius. This is a story when I lived in Tokyo. I stood in front of a small station. Three Japanese men, I thought they were 50s, were…

Students in elementary school carry backpacks every day. They always have notebooks, pens, they rarely use the pencil case, though. And then, there is an "ardoise". What's that? When I first heard about it, I had no idea what it was. It is…