This morning a bunch of us participated in a randonnée pédestre (pedestrian walk) that started at the African Renaissance Monument and traced a route similar to my Sunday long runs. After doing a token amount of internet research, I’m not exactly certain what the underlying theme of the walk was, but I do know that it was organized by the Senegalese Armed Forces. Our particular contingent wore anti-AIDS t-shirts (SIDA in French) as we walked in the early morning sun.
I have told you that the Senegalese military is an absolute pleasure to work with. They are smart, organized and able to execute on what they promise to do. This walk- composing hundreds of participants- was no different.
Now it is clear that this country is good at going out there and showing their commitment to fighting AIDS, but that’s not what I’m here to talk about. I’d like to take this opportunity instead to discuss other things that people here like to make public. Things that I don’t necessarily want or need to see.
Here’s a sneak preview into my topic of choice this afternoon.
Whenever I am out on my LSRs (long slow runs), I pass mostly Senegalese folks doing their morning exercise routines. Like this guy:
Bravo! Du courage! C’est bien, ça! See, I can give it just as well as I can take it.
Sometimes I pass toubabs on the corniche, and usually I can tell right away that they are French. You know what the dead giveaway is? Prepare yourself!
The men are wearing leeetle tiny shorts….
….my thoughts on this wardrobe malfunction exactly.
So why on Earth the French feel compelled to wear Larry Bird-era shorts in 2010 is beyond my comprehension. Much like my USMC brethren, they are still wearing workout bottoms that are waaay too short for my comfort. I have much love and respect for my Marines, but I don’t need that degree of definition when I am passing you in your PT uniform. Those male parts just aren’t that pretty.
So although they hail from a former French colony, the Senegalese thankfully did not adopt this hideous attire. Alxamdoulilay. Check it out:
Fashion forward, these guys are. However..
This morning’s walk also afforded me the opportunity to snap a photo of one of my least favorite male Senegalese habits. I see it nearly every day, and it defies the decency that is foisted upon the more productive half of this population.
Men peeing in public. Partout. The world is their toilet.
Well…at least they are good dancers here…
It’s not exactly The Carlton, but they do dance better than me.
We’re chicks, so we didn’t pee in nature today. And neither did our little male participant, because he’s a toubab.
All told, it was a uniquely authentic outing, with a lot of great energy and digested water expended. Public urination and too-short shorts are not even a blip on my radar, and instead just add to the fodder that makes my everyday life here entertaining. That said, I could do with a just a little less southern exposure on the part of the men while I’m out in town.