Dakar-Day 3

 Today was a tough one.  We went to Goree Island, first colonized by the Dutch, the British, then the French.  We went to the Slave House, where 12.5 million men, women, and children were held before being shipped to North America as slaves.  I would compare it to a concentration camp, everyone except the guide whispered, and I felt like I was walking on hallowed ground.

Men’s Cell

In the children’s cell

Young Women’s cell

Punishment cells

Reflection room, dedicated to the women.  Everyone was invited to take a little water from the fountain, and sprinkle it on the ground, as kind of a meditation. 

Door of no return 

We also went to a church, and had lunch on the island.

Sand painting demonstration

Dinner was pizza, delicious of course. 🙂

Dakar- Day 2

 Started out the day bartering at Soumbedioune Market.  Not the most enjoyable shopping experience, the vendors got a little aggressive.  But I bought some small souvenirs.

Next was Maam Samba, a boutique in Dakar that specializes in handmade goods and fair trade.  We had lunch here, and met Maam Samba himself.

Then we went to the Leopold Senghor Cultural Center, where an arts festival was happening.

This is Zeinixx, apparently she’s famous in Senegal.

And finally, dinner on the beach.  Dinner in Senegal takes a few hours.  This one was notable because the power went out twice while we were there.  Nobody seemed to panic, so I guess that’s normal? 🤷‍♀️

Dakar

 Yesterday we went into Dakar to shop for fabric.  Along the way, we kept picking people up, and I had no idea what was going on.  Which is typical in Senegalese culture, according to our guide.  

A “car rapide” public transport.  This one is unique because it doesn’t have anyone hanging off the back.  If there’s no room inside, they hold onto the ladders on the back and bang on the window with a coin when they come to their stop.

First stop was the fabric market.  It’s overwhelmingly large, and bartering is expected.  Aida and her daughters took us to their favorite, and helped us pick out and barter for the best prices.

Next stop was the largest mosque in Senegal.  The guide emphasized that Catholics and Muslims live in harmony here, and it shows. And, Senegalese women are very fashionable.  I admire their outfits, even the scarves they wear into the mosque are coordinated to their outfits.  Meanwhile, I couldn’t keep mine from sliding off my head.  

After lunch back at the hotel, we met with the tailor to get measurements and decide what we wanted done with our fabric.  Audra and I taught the sons of one of the women who helped us how to play the Canadian version of “Taco Cat Goat (chicken) Cheese (Poutine) Pizza.

After a quick trip to the grocery store and a toy store, we went to dinner at a place downtown.  They had karaoke, no, I didn’t sing, but liked watching everybody else perform. 😂

Today, we were allowed to sleep in a little, after breakfast we headed to the African Renaissance Monument.

We made a stop at the Mosque of the Divinity.

Then we spent the afternoon at a family home. Four floors, twenty people from the same family.  We talked with the adults and teenagers about everything, toured the whole building, and had a late lunch.  It was the most chaotic house I’ve ever been to, lol.  

This is Therese Fany, three years old, with a 16 year old personality.

Kinkeliba, a very strong mint tea that takes three hours to brew.