Just Some Observations

I Shall NEVER Complain About Laundry Day in the States Again!


Washing clothes by hand is tedious, laborious work. And real talk, I am 99.24% certain that my clothes are not actually clean...but at least I don't stink. Yes, my host mother has offered time and time again to do my laundry for me, but my ancienne--the previous volunteer--set the precedent of paying her to do their laundry. Being the tight-fisted and cheap person that I am, I refuse to pay someone to do something that I can do myself for free--even if sometimes it is more work then combing through my natural 4c hair with a not-wide-enough wide-tooth comb. (If you're not familiar with this sensation, it is nearly intolerable pain that lingers throughout the following day. Not a pleasant feeling, I assure you.) 
I use two siwos (big 'ol buckets) to do my laundry.
 Most folks wash their clothes outside, but since I am blessed enough to have a robinet (faucet) in my private bathroom, I just do my laundry in there. My host mom uses 3-4 buckets to wash: 2 for washing and 2 for rinsing. I only wanted to spend money on two buckets, and they get the job done. 




I hang my clothes on the roof to dry. 
After washing, I haul my load up to the roof to dry on the lines there. In Senegal, it is deemed uncouth for women to hang their negligees and what have you out on the lines for the world to see. However, since my "dryer" is secluded enough, I do hang my underthings out and about, but hidden behind the other approved garments. As you can see in this picture, this was a very small load. Usually I wait too long, and have the lines filled from on end to the other (which makes for a very long wash day.)

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