First day in Praia, and I am constantly reminded by snippets of memories in Senegal. From the possibilities of encountering a giant cockroach in the bathroom, to showering with a bucket and jar, to spending hours on the rooftop, just staring at the countless women hanging clothes on their rooftops.
The peace corps volunteers that have been the definition of laid back and accomodating as temporary hosts on my trip, gave me a few pointers for where to meander. Attempting each day to plan to not plan, i began to wander. Up the street to ~Plateau~ one feels a bit disoriented, piering below the scattered slabs of housing below. Cobblestone streets, Chinese Logas, and street venders are plentiful, but not overwhelming. Further down the plateau center a giant marketlace filled with women dressed in African attire are selling fruits, vegetables and meats. In my jetlagged haze, i do not enter, but hope to return soon.
I continued down towards a soccer stadium, where one of the volunteers said there was an environmental event. I asked two young police officers for directions... not quick, as i had to explain why i was american and spoke portuguese, but not creolo. I escaped just after the ^you are pretty~ conversations started to occur, heading down to the stadium.
Once i headed down the rubble steps, the path seemed less and less taken.. i was advised to stay away from shadey places... literally... that in the shade of a tree is where people might be more dangerous. I continued along anyway, and stopped to talk to some people standing in front of a telecommunication station. I realzed i had no idea how to get into the stadium, and was around the back of the stadium. I never entered the stadium, or saw the event that was supposed to be going on in front of it. I ended up talking to this one man and his wife, and after chatting about safety in the area, he drove me around to see some of the other places- the two nearby beaches and a few other areas before dropping me off to where i was staynig. This place is certainly not beautiful. The streets are dirty, the structure is unclear and confusing, and the dark beaches are far from the tourist images of its nearby popular islands. Apparently the sand has been taken so much for construction and other projects, that the once vast sandy spots are now far fewer.
Later that night, i went to a festa with the peace corps volunteers, who were celebrating the Despedida of one of one of the volunteers. (When they finish their time). So many splendid people doing simple, yet important projects. I wanted to drop everything and join them, for unlike my 1-3 month projects and explorations, they really get to sink their teeth into their experiences.
And of course, I got my first dance experiences, with the local dances. Funana, much like forro in brazil, is a couple dance done to a quick accordion music. Simple steps, subtle differences depending on dance partner... but all about the shifting of weight and hips. Zuk is also incredibly popular here, just like in all over the world right now.
YIkes, gotta run. MOre to come.
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