Tourist

I took 2 days off to see a bit of the tourist side of Senegal and the ocean!  Mbour, Saly, Joal-Fadiouth.  I went with Maman and stayed with family... in the end it was not at all the independant, tourist experience I had been wanting. I chose to let the experience happen as it would. Lovely.

We we were welcomed into a home, Issa gave up his small bedroom, just enough space for a double bed, for us. He put up a mosquito net for me and Maman and I shared the bed.  We walked on the beach in the fishing town of Mbour....  visited in a home with two terrasse that reminded me of Terry and Cindyś home in Bermuda; we visited Saly and walked along the beach in front of the I hear luxious hotels, sat in a focus spot night life restau/bar/dance establishment, the Letage. I believe and chatted .. Issas eyes lit up as we recalled out restau experiences --- nice to be my age and have so many experiences to draw on for connections with people. :-) Night life, the camaraderie of rest workers, passing warm nights after work chatting, dancing...  Later I sat in the deepening twilight in the courtyard with Maman and  listened as she told me of her last relationship and how it had ended.. she talked and talked and again I could empathize.... though she too is much younger than I.   The next day we visted three small islands made of millions of clam shells and oyster shells that overer the years were thrown away by the villagers who harvest the seafood.  We also visited the only Christian Muslim graveyard in Senegal attesting to tolerance  for which people epressed  satisfaction.

Numerous taxis - 4 place, 7  place .... in cars that had to be push started,  most of them missing window levers, many inside door handles... but determination and debrouardisism of drivers triumphed.

This holiday was my treat so I paid way... quite a responsibility since I had no idea of the cost of taxis, nor how many, and a very limited budget due to the fact that y bank card did not operate in Senegal. Thanks to Maggie and Bruce and Molly and Western Union I will have enough to get me and Mme Sanokho to the airport on Saturday =-- she is seeing me off..  This has proven to be an experience in trust, budgeting and clear boundaries with money. I have been able to share and I have people have shared with me.  Very good.

Stay tuned for a final post from Montreal with I hope a few more photos. Thanks for sharing in my journey.