Well Dakar was...well for lack of a better expression it just was. Same thing most big cities have...lots of problems. The city wasn't without Talibes, Baye Fall's, hookers, schemers, pan handlers, hawkers, etc. etc. Everyone is trying to get something out of you. There is no two ways about that...
Which lead me to a realization. I have just an overwhelming distrust for people now; well most people. It may seem sad, but I guarentee I wouldn't have lasted this long without her street savvy. I would be walking around clothesless at this point. There are few genuine people in this world I know. I probably could say I only know a handful (I surely am not one of them either). But at least back home if someone was not genuine they wouldn't be eyeing you up to see what they could get out of you. It is quite different here...maybe that's for the better though. If people here didn't have the mentality of eat or get eaten; this part of the World would still be under colonial rule. Without a doubt. Also, I can't say it has to do with the religious aspect that begging is kind of condoned. This is because other parts of the world have the same issues. It isn't laziness in my opnion either. It really has to do with fact that as much as all these kids do is dream of going to a school...survival is way more important. Also seeing how the average life expectancy is in 50's, you don't really have time to waste in school. At the end of the day, an education isn't gonna help you when you are 6 foot under...
We had two robbin' hoods with banter while we were in Dakar. The scheme was they would try to sell you this stuff as you were walking. Very nice, the usual Teranga stuff. One would then grab your pant leg and vigariously shake your leg. While the other would attempt to go into your pocket. Any loose bills or change would fall out and you would be non the wiser. Salif had some super pants with zip pockets. Didn't work on him. However, I had regular shorts on and when the banter continued and they came over to me they were able to get my mobile out! This Toubab however wasn't born yesterday and I looked to both of them and said my phone. One guy hands it over and was yeah it fell out. RIGHT RIGHT. I thanked him and told them both it was a neat trick. They were pretty nice guys.
I'm starting my wind down here. Vacation is close to being over and then only a week and a half till I leave for home...
Song of the Moment: I Want You Back - Discovery
Toubab Shout Out: TO MY POPS FOR GETTING EVERYTHING TAKEN CARE OF WITH THE FLIGHT...YOU ARE THE MAN
PS: I am in Cap Skiring (one of the nicest beaches in West Africa) we enjoyed a fresh mango yesterday and fresh Crab right off the beach caught two minutes earlier...HAHAHA...my life
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
LONG TIME NO POST
Hey all...I am really sorry haven't updated this in awhile. It's been more me trying to lve it up here then anything else. Either way I am sorry. I wish I had more time to blog, and there might be some retrospective posts when I get back that I have written out.
Well Salif and I are on our vacation(and you all thought this was my vacation, HA). We are in transit to Casamance. Don't read up on it too much everyone, all the stories aren't true. However, it is meant to be gorgeous. We are taking the boat from Dakar to Ziguinchor. Then taking a pirogue down to Cap Skiring, aparently the best beaches in Senegal. So far so good. Got into Dakar yesterday and are staying at an Auberge for about 6000 CFA a night. Not bad at all. I already miss Saint Louis though; family, friends, and the Talibes. It's going to be weird going to a lush green area after spending 2 mois in the Desert. Probably will remind me a lot of home. I haven't been graced by the feeling of rain drops on my skin in awhile. It's the little things in life...
Before we parted we had the pleasure of attending the Saint Louis Hip/Hop and Rap festival. All the youth were out because it was free. We heard some Reggae sets that had everyone buzzin'. It was nice to see everyone jamming out. Mister Bronson was chilling per usual. The music is one thing I haven't touched on. It's a mixture of reggae/rap/r&b/african drums/and more. It does really grow on you qnd to not hear djembés in the background of songs is going to be weird (and missed).
It's funny that I have been here for quite awhile, and yet it seems like time has just flown by. I don't really have the words to describe the way time and space work here, but it flip flops. Salif and I talk quite often about this. Other volunteers come for a month and they are gone so quickly. At the same flip of a coin, an event could seem like it was weeks ago, but in qctuqlity it only happened in the morning. Don't think I will ever figure that one out.
I got some Africanverses as well...paid 6000 cfa for 'em. The guy priced them at 25000. I came back with 7000. He returned with 15500. I dropped to 6000. He was so confused after this and responded but had said 7000. My response was that now I am saying 6000. Don't jerk me around man, this Toubab didn't just step off the Sept-Place. I live here. I enjoy bartering and am going to miss that as well.
Well I will try to update again sometime soon. Take it easy everyone. I miss you all.
Song of the Moment: Love is Wicked - Brick & Lace
PS: I have been called a Gnar twice in Dakar so far. Once by a rando on the street and another by a female bartender. I think she was just flirting with me. I don't really take it as a compliment here. I'd rather be a tanned Toubab. People more often assume I am Spanish. After, Cap Skiring I think even our mom is gonna think I am a blue eyed Moor. However, if we go to GNaritania to visit Al Qaeda in the Ladgreb I'll be thanking my lucky stars I am sure.
Well Salif and I are on our vacation(and you all thought this was my vacation, HA). We are in transit to Casamance. Don't read up on it too much everyone, all the stories aren't true. However, it is meant to be gorgeous. We are taking the boat from Dakar to Ziguinchor. Then taking a pirogue down to Cap Skiring, aparently the best beaches in Senegal. So far so good. Got into Dakar yesterday and are staying at an Auberge for about 6000 CFA a night. Not bad at all. I already miss Saint Louis though; family, friends, and the Talibes. It's going to be weird going to a lush green area after spending 2 mois in the Desert. Probably will remind me a lot of home. I haven't been graced by the feeling of rain drops on my skin in awhile. It's the little things in life...
Before we parted we had the pleasure of attending the Saint Louis Hip/Hop and Rap festival. All the youth were out because it was free. We heard some Reggae sets that had everyone buzzin'. It was nice to see everyone jamming out. Mister Bronson was chilling per usual. The music is one thing I haven't touched on. It's a mixture of reggae/rap/r&b/african drums/and more. It does really grow on you qnd to not hear djembés in the background of songs is going to be weird (and missed).
It's funny that I have been here for quite awhile, and yet it seems like time has just flown by. I don't really have the words to describe the way time and space work here, but it flip flops. Salif and I talk quite often about this. Other volunteers come for a month and they are gone so quickly. At the same flip of a coin, an event could seem like it was weeks ago, but in qctuqlity it only happened in the morning. Don't think I will ever figure that one out.
I got some Africanverses as well...paid 6000 cfa for 'em. The guy priced them at 25000. I came back with 7000. He returned with 15500. I dropped to 6000. He was so confused after this and responded but had said 7000. My response was that now I am saying 6000. Don't jerk me around man, this Toubab didn't just step off the Sept-Place. I live here. I enjoy bartering and am going to miss that as well.
Well I will try to update again sometime soon. Take it easy everyone. I miss you all.
Song of the Moment: Love is Wicked - Brick & Lace
PS: I have been called a Gnar twice in Dakar so far. Once by a rando on the street and another by a female bartender. I think she was just flirting with me. I don't really take it as a compliment here. I'd rather be a tanned Toubab. People more often assume I am Spanish. After, Cap Skiring I think even our mom is gonna think I am a blue eyed Moor. However, if we go to GNaritania to visit Al Qaeda in the Ladgreb I'll be thanking my lucky stars I am sure.
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