Hi Dominique,

First of all, I'd like to say 'wow' what a great descriptive piece of writing. You really evoked a real sense of the island and your feelings about the place and the people who live there.

Goree really sounds like one of Senegal's most magnificent islands from your description. I can understand from its history that is draws a lot of people from all over the world. I guess that I may be charged a more expensive fee for everything as my skin is not dark (actually, I burn very quickly in the sun...sob). My wife calls me 'yudedako' which means 'boiled octopus' when I get burnt...

I often see painters at tourist destinations. The painter you met there sounds like a real character. I can understand why you were interested in him if he was not in an obvious tourist spot - it seems a pretty weird place to be if you rely on tourists to make ends meet. Surely, he'd be happier if he could sell lots of his paintings by being closer to where the people congregate? I do like the one he is holding in the picture, but I wonder how much he would have charged me for it?

I haven't really been anywhere of historical interest for a while. I often pop in to London and that is steeped in history but like many English people I probably don't really appreciate it. I love it when friends visit from overseas and I show them around (or they show me...) as it opens my eyes to the rich history on my doorstep.

Of course the trouble with London, and most other popular tourist destinations is that you end up paying through the nose for everything. It seems to me like the natives can see the tourists coming a mile off. Don't you think?

I can't wait to read your next post!

Best,
Lewis

(to) draw (someone) from (somewhere)
(to be) a real character
(to) make ends meet
(to) congregate
(to) charge (someone) for (something)
(to) pop in to (somewhere)
(to be) steeped in history/tradition
(to) open (someones) eyes to (something)
(to be) on your doorstop
(to) pay through the nose (for something)
(to) see someone coming a mile off (slang)

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