Togo Kit Distribution - SCAW Charity Apr.11.12 - Apr.26.12: Sunday April 15

My oh my what a day! It was our first of 2 days off in the total of 16 days (Sundays). Slept in and took our time before heading out to the central market in Lome. Sunday is the quiet day in the market with only half the stalls open. native styled cloth was purchased at a stand by all - it was a huge jackpot day for her! ! From there we went to the "supermarket / general store" and replenished our supplies and libations (women focused on gin, men on beer and rum). As per usual we were heavily hustled in the parking lot - gee do you think 6 white people walking together in West Africa draws attention? Then headed over to artisans souvenir district where the fun and action really started. Long story short we counted on our Togolese partners to assist in bargaining which they did marvellously. For some reason though the hawkers (products sold were only displayed and sold there, manufactured elsewhere in Lome which we visited later in the week) they took exception to being called a bunch of thieves by one of our Togolese friends. This happened when I was being swarmed by about a dozen vendors. BTW, based on how I was addressed by many of the vendors, I apparently, to my surprise, have several unknown "brothers" in the Lome tourist trap area. And as they say, , , , , that's when the fun started. After the transactions were finally completed, several vendors who were not fortunate enough to be our vendors of choice felt it important to let us know how they felt about our mini-bus load of white tourists accompanied by 4 black advisors. Leave it to say it ended up with a bit of a struggle to get back in the van and get the door closed. After much yelling, we high tailed it out of there and had to laugh when the chap I was using in bargaining (Bill) pulled me aside when we arrived home at Casa Blanca and said, "Mr. Dan, I was very afraid today. I do not want to do that again.". I respect his point of view - it was indeed a bit nuts but what a cool experience!

At 6:00pm were were invited by our guests to their Presbyterian church ceremony. In their semi open aired chhurch they had with 2 choirs (adult and youth) as well as a small musical section. I can simply say the songs sung in the African tongue and the associated rhythms were beautiful, mystical, and very impactful. What an honor and I look forward to attending next week!

Food cooked up by our chef Bill is not bad, not very spicy or overly favorable but greatly appreciated after lots of work in the heat. Our local NGO partner - Laurent - visited with his wife and beautiful and tall 14 year old daughter (pic below). She was cool but as with any 14 year old would rather have been with here friends listening to music or anything else than being with 6 foreigners 4 times her age speaking a language she could not speak.

Closing thought at end of day?

The centre of the world is not in North America - it is everywhere / nowhere.

Where we stayed in Lome - Casa Blanca (looks much more elaborate / refined than it actually was)