Oh your sweet skin melting in my mouth, giving me chills down my throat. I have been waiting for this moment for some time and I couldn't wait any longer, so I decided to eat the chocolate shelled, vanilla filled ice cream in front of the store. It seemed like the perfect idea, before heading back to the regional house. Yet, on this particular night it could have been the worst idea ever. There were unexpected guests that came towards my friend and I, as we both stood there enjoying our ice cream. The kids were out having a night of fun because on December 5, 2011 is the Senegalese New Year.
The Islamic new year is somewhat different then how we celebrate new years in the States. It is more like Halloween if you want to compare it to something. The start of this holiday begins with good food, such as rice with vegetables, chicken and onion sauce. The next day is when the party begins for the children. The boys dress up as girls and the girls dress up as boys. Once they have their costumes on they are out the door visiting neighbors to collect money or candy.
So, while we ate our ice cream a few of the children came up to us and started to as for our names. This normally happens so we were use to this, but then my friend (who's name shall be Mamadou) decided to give them candy. I thought to my self that if we give them candy then they will probably want more. So, I continued to eat my ice cream. Mamadou decided to go into the store and buy more candy for the kids. By the time that he had returned the number of children had in increased. I still tried to mind my own business hoping that they would find any interest in us, but more and more kids continued to come. They finally surrounded us and crowded us to the point that we could feel hands all over the place. Mamadou passed some of the candy that he had bought out but they fought to try to get more from him. As I stood there I could feel random tugs on my hair, I would look back and the kids would have smile on their face like nothing happened. Half of the ice cream to go, I was almost done until suddenly a hand came out of no where and my ice cream was out of my hands! Blessed be! They had stolen my ice cream! What thieves! We couldn't handle it anymore with the loud foreign shouts and the abusive handling that we mounted our bikes and road out back home. Thankfully the kids didn't try to follow us back to where we were staying, which could have possibly happened. We were free! Free at last! With two less ice creams since Mamadou lost his during the bike ride back, sadly he hit a bump and his ice cream hit the floor. So, with two less ice creams and a lesson well learned the day couldn't have been any better!
