Afternoon Hospitality

Our first week in Senegal was a blur of new sights, smells and sensations. The sandy streets of Yoff are crowded with friendly people. The calls to prayer from the nearby mosque last for hours, filling the air with the peaceful sounds of worship. The salty coastal breeze, blows around the distinct oder of fish, in all stages of decomposition. 

After a few short days in Yoff, we traveled to the small village of Joal. Most of our time was spent developing our Wolof skills and starting to tackle French. The highlight of my time though, was my day-stay in the neighboring village of Fadouith. I spent the afternoon with Alphonse, a 19 year old native of the village, who was studying at the university in Dakar. He was so friendly, showing me around the village and introducing me to his friends and family. After satisfying our appetite, we sat down for some tea.

Drinking ataya is a Senegalese tradition. The tea is usually consumed in three stages, with the cups of tea growing progressively sweeter. By the third cup, the tea is loaded with copious amounts of sugar, making it a delicious afternoon beverage. I watched in awe as the tea was pored back and fourth between two cups, giving it a frothy top. This was the finishing touch, added just before each glass was enjoyed. 

One might guess that drinking three small cups of tea couldn't take more than a few minutes, but in fact this can be a quite lengthy process. We spent three hours that sweltering afternoon, sipping down our ataya. Instead of worrying about what was planned next, or rushing on to something new, we simply sat and enjoyed each others company. I caught a glimpse into the Senegalese perspective of time, got a chance to relax with some locals and enjoy their hospitality.

Me and Alphonse after our afternoon ataya! 

Our new tailored outfits!