Travelling in Senegal

Collecting salt

View from our room in Palmarin, Sine Saloum Delta

Ile de Goree

Hello dear friends!

Am using a French keyboard, an exercise in frustration so it may squelch my already dubious eloquence. (And there may be spelling mistakes; may my colleagues forgive me!)

This is a beautiful and interesting country despite the challenges of transportation, the garbage, the poverty. Like Mali, the people are friendly and open. They have a more sophisticated tourism industry and the locals are on to it. Which is a good thing. I hope they continue to forge their own brand of tourism that doesn't compromise their values.

Have been to Ile de Goree, reputedly, one of the ports through which many slaves passed. Today, it is a rather quaint island with a community of artists and gentle hustlers.

We have been travelling along the Petite Cote, south of Dakar. Spent a few days in the Sine Saloum delta, a gorgeous place; the muted blues and beige of the sky and sand and the giant sentenals, the baobabs, breaking the horizon to create a calming, soulful landscape.

Now, in Nianing, slowing making our way back to Dakar. Had the privilege of visiting a local primary school which was built and equipped by our hostess at the Ben'Tenier, our hotel. She has established an organization which raises funds for projects that help local women and children.

Women's work: Something that has become very evident during this trip is that the people, especially the women work very hard. Two recent examples: 1.In the Sine Saloum area, the women collect salt all day long (see pic above of the big hole in the sand) and receive very little payment. Salt is collected and then taken in big pirouges south to Gambia where it is exchanged for contraband. 2.Here, in Nianing, the women spend all day on the beach collecting small seashells used as decoration in the concrete construction around here. I can't imagine that they receive much for their labours.

Bye for now!!