The Almost Interesting Life of Chantelle (aka Madina): Wednesday

I woke up this morning – prepared for French classes but it turns out that there was no class due to what I will call a little misunderstanding. A little late for work, I went to La pouponniere, where I saw Zhaoyi. Since I planned to work in the afternoon, I just stayed by Zhaoyi’s place in Guele Tapee which is only 10 mins walk from work.

By Zhaoyi's - my famous-by-now Jamaica bag taking up half of the pic

We were just tired with all the heat. Plus, I was fasting so I felt drained. But after the break, I went back to work and met up with Amira who was working in the afternoon.

I had expected Coumba to come by as well – but she got caught up with other things. Which meant I was going to the tailor alone – not alone, since I had Amira but without Coumba who usually comes with me. Using my resources I called the taximan that is close to my host mom who had dropped us en ville on Monday and he agreed to carry me there. Thank goodness cause I can barely give directions even when I know the place as I forget the directions myself.

How was I supposed to find my way through this madness? Everything looks the same. Roads, people, shops and then stalls along the sidewalks - everywhere.

I arrived safely at the tailor’s and my outfit was much improved – Hallelujah. I asked for one part to be adjusted and insisted that it be done while I waited (I have no time and energy to keep going to the tailor). After, everything was perfect, I paid and took a taxi home – Amira’s home that is.

I was going to break the fast there with Amira’s family. Like clockwork, as we heard the call to break the fast from the nearby mosque and the programme on TV we all took some dates and drank some water.

There was more Kenkeliba tea and Amira and I had this yummy bread that we bought en ville with some chocolate spread. For dinner, there was vermicelli and beef. You can correctly say I was stuffed. Oh and I forgot to mention this yogurt snack thing in a bag that I had too – for dessert.

My food hadn’t settled it seemed when 2 hours later we were walking down to the beach – or at least that was my excuse when they were all ready to jog for 20 mins straight. Haha, I didn’t even make ten and I moved to the sand closer to shore because it was easier than running in the regular sand lol. But we really got a good workout by the beach, in the pitch black of night.