Ramadan ended with a big three-day party. Everyone, including myself, purchased a new outfit, and henna-ed our palms and feet (an interesting experience in and of itself, as it involved getting plaster taped, covered in gritty goop, and then wrapped in plastic for 2 or 3 hours. I couldn't touch anything or move, so it was a bit interminable). Slaughtering a sheep is also traditional, so I got to watch that occur. Gross.
Anyway, we ate ALL DAY. I lost count of the meals that I ate during the day, but it was at least 3. And then everyone gets together with their "fedde", which is an age group, and eats more. It was a bit like a potluck. Yup, that's right, more eating. And everyone expects you to eat out of their dish. I was so full.
The first day my community contact took me to her age group, the late thirties-late forties-ish group. Just imagine, not only am I the youngest person in a group of loud household directors, but this is all in Pulaar. Oh man. The next day I insisted on going to my actual age group. We make tea and this milk made with blue mint candies that is pretty much the most delicious thing I've had here. It's amazing and I promise to make some when I get back to the States. Oh, and then we had another meal after the fedde.
In other news, I've moved from my old residence. There was this long drama about the room I was supposed to have, the nice one the last volunteer had. The son of the head of the household had decided that he wanted to keep that room (I had said at site visit he could stay in there until I arrived, big mistake). If I understand correctly, he is trying to obtain a second wife. Hm. But the room I was staying in did not have a functioning door (I closed it with a rock). Not really long-term acceptable.
Now I'm living with the village chief in his brand new house, which is quite patron. And he has a solar panel so I can charge my cell phone. My new family is phenomenal, and the women of the household are such wonderful examples for me of good behavior in this culture. It's a good situation.
I'll be in Kaedi again next weekend to cast my vote. Don't forget to vote, America!
