The Road to Dakar, Day 6

 

senegal

Papa Lo receives a call from Ma Sane, the beloved singer of Senegal. Ma Sane has heard I’m back in town and invites us to her club later that evening for a theatrical performance and fashion show. 

   It’s Friday morning … Mme. Gueye flew to Brussels yesterday for a two-week conference on women’s health issues. On this morning, when the housekeepers finish mopping the ever-dusty marble floors, a twice-daily event, Aissatau walks with me up the road to the school Mme. Gueye owns and runs, where I will revisit with the children who touched my heart three months ago (above). 

   They sing songs for me and clap their little hands. I pop in next door to La Mama who’s struggling with some sticky waxed thread and wait for my team to pick me up there. A Curtis Mayfield-looking man passes by in a long lavender dress, crocheted cap, and slippers and says “nagadeff”, I proudly say “nagadeff’ back. 

   It’s cool and breezy on this morning, the donkeys ride by and I’m beginning to like this simple life. I’m also getting a little too used to not washing my hair and having three guys carry my bags everywhere. I will hold my breath until late tomorrow, my last day in the village, when I will see and retrieve all of the samples … and pray that I can exhale. 

 

alicia shulman

Inspecting the work …

 

 

 

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