Tell me Sira Ba, have the lambs stopped screaming?

Actually Dr. Lecter, no they have not!!!!

Tabaski-- the Muslim equivalent of Christmas sans presents. I think the best way to describe any type of Senegalese holiday is anti-climactic. There was so much build up from my family about it for days before, a countdown even. Waking up that morning, i expected a breakfast of something other than well, my best friend millet. I was sadly disappointed. Thank god for my scrambled eggs and starbucks espresso that I made for myself instead. Sorry millet and fish heads, there are much better things in life than you.

Looking sadly at the sheep who is going to bite the big one, I waited uneasily as it frolicked around the yard completely unaware of his fate. As he was tied to the tree I fought back tears and ran into my room and grabbed my IPOD. Theres nothing like a little Barry White while you're forced to watch a sheep get slaughtered. Utterly horrified and unable to hide it on my face, my families laughter was less than appreciated. Especially when they tried to hand me the rusty machete. Yea laugh it up guys, ever seen a creepy mutant sheep movie called black sheep? Well I have. Jerks.

An afternoon snack of "Teew," meat, was a pretty broad description of what I ate/might have ate. A spoon full of sheep testicles accidentally fell out of my hand and on to the ground. Accidentally. Im pretty sure I don't need testosterone, especially from a sheep. Egads! And the bowl filled more with bones than actual meat was attacked by hands and mouth noises more than I could handle. Oh wow, mi haari! I'm full. Time to break out the food stash in my room. Damn it, those starbursts are a poor substitute sheep balls. Yea right :)

I didnt even have to wear my senegalese clothes because only the younger girls changed into their nice clothes and dolled themselves up "libby lou" style. Glitter galore. This turned into me as a personal photographer, I was not impressed. My camera just happened to die and I have to buy the batteries in Dakar. I don't but it gets me out of picture taking until after new years I suppose. Oh well, another lie whatever. But as I sat, cameraless, on the rugs outside, the sun began to set and the other sheep were returning from the fields. I swear to god they new what had taken place earlier that morning. Well, it could have been the blood soaked sand everywhere. But as they walked past my hut and into the compound, they all stopped, dead in their tracks if you will, and looked at me. Then at the blood, back at me, blood, me. I think I have it coming when I go back to the village. Those sheep are plotting against me. I swear I didn't do it!!!! I didn't even eat it!!!! Those sheep are creepers and they definitely knew.

Coming out of the village this time was a much needed break. A few nights ending in tears and the never ending battle with the termites has finally started to get to me. Although I am growing rather attached to the bat. His name is Felix. But, having things "borrowed" from my hut only to be returned broken was fun. Even though they are only scissors, they were golden. What the hell. Oh and my wonderful bananas are no more. My family came in and chopped them down. I asked for some, but the response was that "well sira ba, you didn't plant them so why should you get them?" Newsflash genius, neither did you. I cried alot and didn't talk to them for a day and a half. I'm still bitter, a little.

I will be coming back to Kaolack again after a short 2 day stint with the termites and banana thieves to decorate christmas cookies. Then its off to Goree Island for Christmas. Sad that I wont be spending time with my family and friends, but I think the egg nog and wine might help with that. Haha just kidding mom!

I love you guys, Merry Christmas! Call me anytime!