Alpha Dio's Studio

 The outside of Alpha Dio's studio, covered in his stunning mosaics and paintings

Senegal

 A painting in progress -- Alpha Dio's studio

 The studio was like an explosion of color in the middle of nowhere, Senegal

The entrance to Alpha Dio's studio

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The Doors of Ngor Island

The entrance to a house on Ngor Island, Dakar, Senegal

 The house beside Chez Carla, Ngor Island

 Ngor Island

 Ngor Island

Ngor Island

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Tabaski (non)Traffic

Normally, Dakar's traffic is horrendous.  

Bumper to bumper, no hope in sight, crazy dodging animals, 

swerve around broken taxis, driving up curbs,

say a prayer that the men crossing the street aren't in some real life game of Frogger.

Then Tabaski happens.  And Dakar becomes a ghost town. Take a look:

 Plateau : Rue Jules Ferry

 La Corniche, near Université Cheikh Anta Diop

 Leaving Les Alamedies

 Lighthouse Road, Marmelles

 Ouakem Road

La Corniche

What is Tabaski?

 (AKA Eid al-Adha AKA Greater Eid AKA Feast of Sacrifice)

Insight into Senegalese culture (worth the read):   
In Senegal, a Sheep is a Man's Best Friend

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The Last of Roots

View of Juffureh, The Gambia from the pier 

[from Roots]

 The Gambia River

Juffureh, aka Albreda, The Gambia

 

 Juffureh

 Juffureh

The pier

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Juffureh, The Gambia

 The Gambia River, seen from Juffureh, The Gambia

 Boats on the shore of the Gambia River, Juffureh, The Gambia

 the chains of slavery...

 undisturbed by a nosy photographer..

 restoration near the launch for James Island, Juffureh, The Gambia

can you find the birds?

If not, try listening to them:

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Roots

A view of Albreda (aka Juffureh) -- The Gambia

Made famous from the mini-series "Roots" 

 Sheep -- Juffureh, The Gambia

 Partially restored house, near the departure for James Island - Juffureh, The Gambia

View of Juffureh from the pier -- The Gambia

 Welcome!

Did Alex Haley's family in "Roots" really come from Juffureh?

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