A year ago we realized that in order to see and experience Senegal we would need a cultural interpreter. It's easy for an ex-pat to skim the cultural surface here, creating a life and a routine bypassing the richness and depth of Senegalese culture.
Almamy Badiane has become our close friend, confidant, and our guide to Senegal. He is smart, warm, and generous, and we thank him for his patience over the past two weeks.
Being a guide and translator by profession, working with Almamy involves both friendship and a business transaction. The art comes in blending the two roles, so that the feeling becomes one of traveling together in friendship, with deference to his cultural understanding.
Through Almamy we gained access that would not be possible otherwise. His engaging and friendly manner opens doors. We much appreciate his including us on visits with his extended family in Casamance.
Thank you.
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