I (Joyce) recently returned from taking Justine (13), Alexis (16) & our friend, David (16) to Senegal.

Senegal is a third world country - so this was less of a vacation & more of a "field trip of a lifetime" that afforded us an up close and personal understanding of what real life is like in Senegal ... a culture & climate as far away as it is far different from what we're used to in America.

We stayed w/ my brother (Uncle Jimmy), who teaches elementary students in Dakar, & his wife, Aunt Ramona. We visited The Door of No Return (former slave house) on Goree Island, capital city of Dakar, the school where my brother teaches, outdoor marketplaces, the beach, a wild game park... and Justine finally met her pen-pal!

In the days leading up to our departure I posted here what I knew & was learning about where we were headed. Once we arrived in Senegal, I had the kids post some things as well. Justine was our main photographer.

We're back now & still trying to record our experience as it was hard to keep up while we were there.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Bon Apetit' - It's time to....get your hair done...& do some shopping?!





Today we took a ferry to Goree Island. More to come on that but here we are having dinner on the beach after our tour. Soon after we sat down to eat one woman we'd met on the ferry came over wanting to braid the girls hair. We bartered a bit and agreed on a price ($15 for each girl!) Pretty soon her friends joined her to help (I suppose they share the weath too??). They were finished at almost the same time we were done eating! Jimmy & Ramona's housekeeper went with us. Her name is Imbayan (Sp?) - she's the second one from the left in the top pic - and she is so sweet & fun & helpful!! Even she joined in & helped w/ the braiding too.Pretty soon more vendors came selling their wares...jewelry, instruments, wood carvings, sand paintings. Truth be told we could have done most of our shopping too while we ate -- but we didn't. :) We did go around visiting the shops of some of the ladies who did the braiding tho'.
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4 comments:

  1. OliviaApril 21, 2010 at 12:22 AM

    this is so amazing never in my life well i guess im speachless. i love the hair and i hope you guys are having fun cant wait to here of your adventures when you get home have fun

    -Oliva Shea :)

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  2. Joyce, Justine, Alexis & DavidApril 21, 2010 at 6:10 AM

    Hi Olivia! So glad to see you here!! The kids are shadowing kids their age at school today - or Justine would be the one replying to you here :) Hope you are enjoying your spring break! Say hi to your family for us - Joyce

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  3. AnonymousApril 21, 2010 at 2:35 PM

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEXIS!!!!! I hope you find that donkey cub to ride for your 16th birthday! haha It looks like you guys are having a blast, and I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back. Oh yes and I love the braids, you guys make'em work ;)
    Stay Safe!
    Hannah Capone

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownApril 21, 2010 at 5:34 PM

    Hi, Happy Birthday Alexis. How come David did not get braids? :)

    ReplyDelete

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