Yesterday, we drove from one side of Senegal to the other, from Dangane to Wassadougou. The drive took us across the groundnut region, where women peddle bags of cashews and peanuts at speed bumps and in villages. We observed the shape and materials of buildings change, from the right angles of bricks of cement to the curves of traditional thatch huts with round clay bases. We observed a change in the traffic – from the congestion of Mbour and Kaolack, major junction towns, to the straight roads of southeastern Senegal that are full of giant trucks headed for landlocked Mali.

But, honestly, more than anything, yesterday was a step into Senegal and away from the vortexes of our Westernized existence. If you do not know what a vortex is, please read Cameron DeVries post from two years ago – https://ccsglobaled.com/2021/11/27/big-vortex-guy/. We left behind the other tourists and the penetrating influence of our material goods and culture. And we came to Kecouta’s village. A place of tradition. A warm hug. Here, we sleep outside under mosquito nets under thatch shade. We live in the middle of a family compound, itself in the middle of dozens of other compounds of people. This is Senegal the way it has been in some ways for centuries. It is not the same as it was hundreds of years ago but its essence and its structure are derived from a continuum of humans living the way their ancestors were taught by their ancestors to understand the natural systems, the value of community, how to trust, and so much more.

We feel lucky. In spite of the odds, here we are. I hope our posts will help share this bounty! Until then, please know we’re thriving.