Bargain Shopper

Okay, okay, okay... So I have not posted in a little while and I know that I need to update you creepers about my life. And I say creepers in the most loving way possible :)

The last time I updated I was headed to the Tuesday market. It was very fun! We had to look for stuff for Miranda for her JSB (Junior/Senior Banquet which is kind of like prom but without the dancing and to honor the seniors for the end of the year) and to get some stuff for my family and friends. It was a very successful shopping trip. It is so interesting shopping here because it's not stock items that have a set price. You never know what you'll find in the market and you have to bargain. It's kinda stressful but also kind of fun. I'm just glad that I don't speak french so that the Bradford's have to bargain for me (gwhahaha... inside joke)! The markets are like put up down a rode and they have canvas or tarpes that they put over your head and the merchandise. You just walk down this long "hallway" and stop and bargain when you see something you like. It's very crowded and you literally have to push through people. Also, you don't take a purse, but keep your money tucked away in your skirt because there are a lot of pickpockets. Anyways, I think I like shopping better in America but shopping in Africa can be really fun if you're with the right people to help you bargain.

Friday we went to the beach with some seniors and alumni's from DA. It was soooo much fun, but I did get slightly burnt. The funny thing about the beach is that you have to walk like half a mile through stinky trash to get to the beach. It's smelly, but so worth it because the ocean is very welcoming. The sand is mixed with volcanic rocks and stuff so it's different than the white sand in America and sticks a little more which is annoying, but the waves are HUGE and so much fun to play in. Just be careful for the rocks ;) It's not that hard though because they're only in certain places. After the beach, we came back to the house and ate dinner, then immediately went to DA so Andrew could play in the senior vs. alumni/staff handball game! Andrew did amazing and it was so fun to watch him play. Then we went to a pool party at an old friend of Andrew's house, named Kiyetet, for an alumni party.

We did not realize that it was going to a spend-the-night party. I have gotten so used to just going with the flow here in Africa, haha! So we had a lot of fun and spent the night, then in the morning we were supposed to leave the house around 11:30 so we could get back to help Miranda get ready for JSB. Kiyetet's family has a driver (ps their house was beautiful and like a resort) but the driver was VERY late to come and get us because of Friday prayer traffic. Like... he didn't get to the house until 4:30 and we needed to be back by 5 so that I could do Miranda's hair for JSB. Her house is also 45 mins out of Dakar and there was A LOT of traffic. Rather then sulking and mad about something that we had no control over, the group of us had a lot of fun. The ride back was also quite the adventure and I feel like I experienced more of Africa riding in the back of that pick-up truck for an hour through the back roads of Dakar. I have also made some really amazing friends with Andrew's friends. Laura and Sharonne are probably the ones who have made the biggest impact on this trip. They both took the time to spend with me one-on-one and get to know me which, as an introvert in new situations, meant a lot to me.

Today I pretty much finished up my shopping for people back home in another market, which I don't know the name for, with Mrs. Julie! And I have to say that today was my favorite shopping day. We went to the market, pretty quickly found what we came for, and got them for the prices that we wanted! It was so nice. My time in Africa is quickly coming to a close and I am finding that I am dreading leaving. I have gone from crazy culture shock to really falling in love with this country and the people here. It is going to be hard to leave, but at the same time I am ready to go home. I want to see my family and friends, sleep in my bed, and just be home in America.



Random Thoughts:
1. Showering here is so different. First of all, I never take warm showers. They have warm water, but I WANT cold showers! I literally don't understand why people take warm showers anymore.
2. It is also difficult to think of wearing my hair down and not having the bottom layer be wet with sweat.
3. I got some awesome African pants that I am in love with. I just have to be in the AC or right in front of a fan to wear them, haha!


Love, Kimmy