Day 7......everything else...and then truth.

Perceptions, Misconceptions, and the Truth

Q: Where are you from?

A: I am American.

Q: Yes but you are visiting family here?

A: No I am visiting friends.

Q: Yes but where are your parents from- here correct?

A: No they are also American.

 Sophia was skeptical - initially. She saw me frolicking in the water on the beach and sashayed over with her beautiful British accent and expensive SLR camera. “I’m doing a photo project called faces of Sierra Leone and I’d like to take your photo.”

Perceptions

Sure, based on looks this American girl could easily pass as a local girl – and then I open my mouth. After a resignation to the truth as well as a few shots, Sophia promises to email the photos she's taken that she can no longer use in her project - She has eventually come to realize that she is indeed dealing with an impostor.

There are, as with anyplace, misconceptions about outsiders. When we encounter Sierra Leonean women whom come to realize that we are American, they are a bit apprehensive. Because Black Americans don’t often find themselves in this country, what they know of Black Americans is that which they see on satellite-streamed T.V.

SaloneTruths

• Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is prevalent among 60%-  

80% of the population

• The government infrastructure is supported up to %50 by international assistance

• The special court est. in 2002 to prosecute for war crimes and crimes of humanity is closing.

• School days are divided into 2 shifts so that everyone can

   attend school

• The United Nations ranks Maternal Mortality in Sierra Leone as one of the highest in the world.

 

• Religious tolerance is high and intermarriages between tribes and religious groups are commonplace.

• The majority of the population does not have access to clean drinking water, health care, disability or social security benefits (the last two are basically non-existent.)

  

 The China Palace

Later that evening while we are returning from the impromptu beach venture we head back into town. The place that we are heading to is a local club.  worry that we are dressed to casual our companions assure us that not to worry people come here to dance.
We arrive at the China Palace and the place is already jumping at 9:00pm. The music played by a live band bounces off the walls and back to the dance floor the building is roofless. The crowd ranges from mid twenty-somethings to fifty plus.

We head to the bar for drinks costing about $1.50 ea U.S. (unbelievable) and then grab a few seats. We survey the crowd. The style of dress ranges from dress shoes & jeans to traditional wear, batik print shirts, head wraps, and more.
The band transitions into a new song, clearly very popular and the people begin to flood the dance floor. I listen to the beat for all of 30 seconds and agree that I too should join.

The dances are a mixture of traditional, modern, and of course the internationally known two-step. The next song the band belts out is one from East Africa by singer Saida Karoli, of Tanzania. I happen to be an avid fan hers and apparently the locals are too!

The entire atmosphere is intoxicating and that's not the $2 drinks talking. I am sweating, singing, and rocking my body akin to the locals. The night is young and we have just begun “Club hopping.” I gaze up at the stars, swaying to the vibe and it all becomes quite clear

My friend Temy once said, "We may be poor but we like to celebrate and enjoy life."
In this country, you don't need much to have a good time. Good music, a good vibe, and a few folks that simply want the same thing - to enjoy themselves.