Lights Out

Lately I've gotten to enjoy some Dakar power outtages, and they're actually way more fun than the guidebooks and newspaper articles make them out to be.

The past two have come around supper time, so everyone bustling in the kitchen is suddenly left completely in the dark. I've got my routine down of dutifully feeling my way through the stairwell up to room to find my headlamp to "shed some light on the situation." It gives off great light and my mom lets me strap it to her head as she continues mixing and fussing in the dark :)

So after assuring the the family dinner will not be postponed any longer than it's already late 8:30pm set time, I usually go to enjoy the dark with my siblings.

The first time, my sister Mimi took me outside and we went for a walk to look at all the stars. Without the street lights, the sky in Dakar is spectacular! That coupled with the cool evening breeze made for quite an enticing pair. We came back to our house and sat on the front stoop in silence, stealing glances at the sky between watching the cars go by. Eventually the power came back, but we lingered a while to watch the night sky fade into the city lights.

The second time, Rose, Issa, Mimi and I were all huddled in the girls' bedroom, just talking. I asked them if they knew any good ghost stories, but no one volunteered immediately. So I decided I'd give them my scariest tale--unfortunately I think a lot of the suspense was lost in translation, and even my eight year old sister didn't seem too phased. But I think they at least thought it was funny. And really, when have I ever been one to pass up story time?

PS I made banana bread for my family the other day... "pain au banane" and it was a big hit! No measuring cups, but thank goodness my "eye-balling" skills came through. Next attempt will be brownies. Wish me luck!