We are in Dakar. The plane touched down, and suddenly I was in Africa. The air feels different here, thicker and heavier. My mouth tastes like dust.

I am in a hotel room with a single fluorescent light in the center of the ceiling. It gives our skin a greenish cast and makes our pale skin look even more foreign.

I have spent almost 24 hours straight in airports and on planes. I haven't slept very well, and I am tired. I am wondering when it would be polite to tell my temporary roommates that I would like to go to sleep. I am wondering how I will think about them in 7 weeks.