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.