An Open Letter to Senegal..

..in light of two years since our horrible break up.

Whew, today marks EXACTLY two years since I left in Senegal, my home away from home. I can't belieeeeeeve how far God has brought me and UHHADJFHUELJDUE man. God is good. So grateful for the time spent in Dakar.

Senegal. You already know this, mais tu me manques trop quoi! I never thought that after two plus years with you I'd ever want to walk - correction trudge- through your sand-covered streets so bad! I miss having our neighbor's sheep wake me up in the morning even though Tabaski [Eid-al-Adha] month was no where near. Fun times.

Man oh man, do I miss hearing the call-to-worship every morning at 5am on the freaking dot. Eventually we unconsciously stopped hearing if but what I would do to hear our neighborhood's mosque's call to worship. Good times. I miss getting mistaken for a Senegalese by any and all taxi drivers because of my height and skin complexion. They always tried to convince me I was Senegalese.

But Senegal, you taught me everything I know about bargaining with taxi drivers because honestly if it's 1000FCFA to get home from school, it is what it is. Any taxi driver attempting to get 500FCFA more would receive a frown, a side-eye and a slow backing away from the vehicle, until he relented/came to his senses and told me to get in. Such wonderful tactics. Worked like a charm, most of the time.

I miss your Dakar beaches and the waterfall in Kedougou and the mangroves in Sine Saloum! Walking a kilometre at the beach were fun times, but going hyena watching and riding at the back of horse carts were shenanigans^892. Also, hiking up 90 degree angle mountains and camping under the stars were some great memories, Senegal. Gosh you're such a stunner!

I also miss downtown market adventures, N'ice Cream and your stifling heat, but praise the Lord God for the Atlantic Ocean and it's glorious breeze.

Senegal, despite our *ahem* differences and a few eye-roll worthy experiences, you were good to me. I made friends I couldn't have made anywhere else. Sometimes I honestly wonder what I'm doing so far away from you, but God had bigger and better plans for me so it's really all good in the hood when you think about it.

 Thank you for all the sweet memories, the adventures and the people I got to meet. Also, shout out for keeping me skinny because bacon and sausages were non-existent in our relationship and walking/running were daily. TBH, Kenya needs to take notes from you cuz she isn't really doing well in that department. Mais bref.

I miss you, I love youuuuuuuuuuu and grace a Dieu, je reviendrai bientot.

Love, Norkor.

*In other news, I did a recipe guest post for Ms. Katie over at Lublyou and its a SUPER YUMMY HIBISCUS FLOWER DRINK FROM SENEGAL/WEST AFRICA. So minty, so refreshing! Go look at it here*

Bloglovin' | Pinterest | Instagram | Facebook