Kevin and Fiona have since left Senegal, but we are still recouping from our time traveling with them around Senegal. Our adventures took us from small villages where there are no tourists to full on tourist attractions, both full of history and color.

Marilyn, Scotty and Kevin are separating the seed from the flower. The flower is used for tea/juice and also good in baking, kind of tastes like rhubarb.

We spent some time in the villages with MaryAnn and Marilyn where Kevin taught some basic business principles to individuals involved in their micro-loan program. We visited several farms and individual’s homes who had participated in the program with great success. A Senegalese woman walking home between farms. The rainy season just ended so everything is VERY green, we are told it will not stay this way for long.

People are VERY generous in Senegal. Many of the people we met with tried to give us part of their crop. It’s amazing to see how in a land where it’s so draining to do anything, or grow anything people are so giving.

In contrast to the villages, we went to the famous Goree Island, where many slaves were held before their voyage across the ocean. The buildings on the island are beautiful, which is a somber contrast to the sad history of this island. Here we are walking around the island with Kevin and Fiona. Despite being a tourist attraction, many parts of the island are quiet as we were allowed to freely roam and explore the island. Here Kevin is harassing a street vendor...he did eventually buy the pants.

Here we are in the slave house on Goree Island.

Probably the most sobering was the actual slave house. There was something eerie about walking to “the Door of No Return”. I can’t imagine the finality of being separated from Scotty as many were separated from their husbands and children.

Lots more to come. We miss you guys but are having a great time.

Love,

Scotty and Crystal