Sunset

Randi and I walked down to our local grocery tonight to check out their inventory.  The street was busy with locals (Senegalese), as if the neighborhood had awoken after a refreshing afternoon nap.  After successfully negotiating the market, we wandered over to peruse the fruits/vegetables being sold by a group of vendors.  Our approach drew their immediate attention, and in quiet, respectful tones our patronage was courted by the competing sellers.  We chose one at random.  Perhaps the seller knew it was an advantage to be at the middle of the pack, just as all liquids are drawn to the center of a funnel.  We came to her, no solicitation required.  With her guidance and many suggestions, Randi purchased some potatoes, onions, a bell pepper, and zucchini.  I played the dumb spouse, and deflected the guy pushing avocados toward the real customer.  Once the transaction was completed, the seller asked Randi for her name, spoken in clear English.  It was a nice touch, personal, prompting relationship, suggesting a sense of felt connection/obligation, an implied contract (you-will-buy-exclusively-from-me-now-because-you-are-Randi), good for future business.

The above photos were taken from the patio a floor above us, the home of ISD Principal, Eric K. Later in the evening, clouds to the south were dramatically illuminated by bursts of lightening, weather cells heading west toward warm waters.