So they let us loose in downtown Dakar in taxis in groups of three to go to a particular destination (mine was La Grande Mosquee de Dakar) and find answers to questions about things like the price of a banana. Downtown Dakar is CRAZY. As a white person (who many people assume is rich), you are constantly approached by kids asking for money and venders selling watches, sunglasses, phone cards, and perfume, among many things. Someone tried to rob me, and I have said "No, desolee" many, many times.
After the initial shock of the begging kids and the people selling things, I actually realized I liked it. Dakar smells like spices, urine, baking bread, garlic, sweat, cloth, and lots and lots of people. My group got lunch at a small eatery where they served things like croque monsieur (which I had) and lots of crepes.
Then, upon our return to the market, we were accosted (well, joined, actually) by a group of Senegalese guys who wanted to know where we were from, and then helped us buy things without getting ripped off because we're American and will get charged exhorbitant sums of money for whatever we try to buy, probably even from the cheapest vender. There was jewelry, clothing, cloth, fruit, sliced coconut, juice, books - everything, and at multiple stalls. The guys urged us to buy stuff, and were quite persistent; the guy talking to me said that he was a marabout and would bless my money for me if I gave it to him. I didn't. Then the guys asked for our numbers. People here are really friendly, but it's a little weird to adjust to, being an American, and from a place where I'm not in the minority, so I won't be approached so often because I look different.
That said, by and large, the people here are really nice and and very patient. They also dress in pretty amazing clothes.
ALSO - yesterday was my first tropical rainstorm.
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