Second Entry – 1/29
I thought this might be an opportune time to write my next journal entry for two reasons:
#1 I am awake (at 1:00am) from taking a cold shower (washing hair and all).
#2 It is a holiday today so the children are drumming in the streets – this will probably last until around 300a.m.
I went to the market today in Dakar to purchase some necessary items. It was an absolute madhouse. All I can say is thank god I had Bamba #1 and Conior (a friend of Senecorps) with me. I was hassled everywhere. It is a common assumption that white person = money. So, having two locals with me to bargain prices was absolutely essential. Hopefully once I have a grasp of the language I will be able to bargain myself.
The majority of my purchases were gifts. Gift giving is commonplace in Senegal, especially as a foreigner who is welcomed into the homes of strangers day after day. Most of the time before attending a meal at someone’s house, I pick up a bottle of Coca-Cola and Fantail at a local boutique in order to contribute to the meal. In addition to the gifts I purchased today, I have promised my green cap to a friend who is leaving for another village next Sunday and I gave my Nike watch to my best African friend, guide, and savior – Bamba Diop (Bamba #1.)
After dinner tonight, we went to Bamba #2s house to hang out with my new family. The house was chaotic as Bamba's children were all dressed up for the holiday, wrecking havoc outside the house on the street. It is an Islamic holiday (I will return with the correct name) – essentially the Muslim calendar new year. The children walk through the streets – boys dressed like girls and visa versa – drumming and dancing all night long.
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