Why I Love Venice And Why I Always Talk To Strangers
I don't need to walk Aida because she can pee in the yard but she's social and so am I, and she loves getting those messages dogs leave for each other in the form of pee, so we've been going out for walks in the evening.
When we do, I almost always have some interesting or at least warm conversation with somebody.
Tonight, I got no further than around the block when a guy standing on the sidewalk holding his bike commented on my wild pants -- in a very nice way -- and I stopped and talked.
He was from Kalamazoo and the guy he was with was from Senegal. I hung out and talked with them for 45 minutes and had a great time, and learned that the Muslims and Christians in Senegal get along very well -- among other things.
The guy from Kalamazoo is sending me some of his music, which the guy from Senegal said gave him chills when he heard a recording of the guy's work. (I loved that he said that -- people so often fail to tell creative people what their work means to them, and it means a lot when somebody tells you they got something out of something you created.)
The guy from Senegal also said he's amazed that people fight wars for this country and then are just left to go homeless and without medical care.
The guy from Kalamazoo also told me to look up Viola Luizza.
Ever since I moved out of my parents' home, I've always tried to live in neighborhoods where you can be around a lot of people when you leave the house. I love the adventures you can sometimes have just by walking a few blocks.
It must be so cool to be able to do that. Men aren't allowed to talk to strangers. It's called "hitting on them," and makes you "a creep."
Lamont Cranston at July 1, 2014 6:25 AM
Amy Alkon
https://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2014/07/why-i-love-veni.html#comment-4809784">comment from Lamont CranstonMen aren't allowed to talk to strangers. It's called "hitting on them," and makes you "a creep."
They're allowed to talk to me! I think I probably put out that vibe. And this guy did compliment me on my flowy tie-dye bellbottoms (which are sort of leopardy colors), which I got recently at Ross to wear when I write during the warmer summer months.
Amy Alkon
at July 1, 2014 7:32 AM
That's funny... the only thing I know about Senengal is that NASA used to have an important ground station in Dakar. In the early days of the Shuttle program, it was the first ground station that would establish contact on the first orbit after launch, when the Shuttle flew out of the Merritt Island / Bermuda coverage area. There was some main engine performance and diagnostic data that could not be downlinked during the ascent; it was recorded on board and played back as the orbiter passed over Dakar on that first orbit. Receiving the "SSME dump" from Dakar was a big part of the first-orbit activities.
Cousin Dave at July 1, 2014 7:40 AM
Amy Alkon
https://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2014/07/why-i-love-veni.html#comment-4809820">comment from Cousin DaveThis guy from Senegal, who's been in this country 16 years, he said, speaks so beautifully -- loved his accent and manner of speaking, and he had that beautiful almost blue-black skin.
Amy Alkon
at July 1, 2014 7:45 AM
FYI--those liquid messages dogs leave for each other are P-Mail (learned that from Dogpark: The Musical).
Nanc at July 1, 2014 9:38 AM
Senegal is a great place to surf!
They are also very friendly, but black Africans tend to be that way as a matter of habit.
And don't forget the Dakar rally (well no longer held there but still...)
Ppen at July 1, 2014 10:25 AM
Amy Alkon
https://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2014/07/why-i-love-veni.html#comment-4810121">comment from NancHah - love that, Nanc.
Amy Alkon
at July 1, 2014 10:27 AM
Amy Alkon
https://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2014/07/why-i-love-veni.html#comment-4810138">comment from PpenRight -- my old friend Ed McCabe did that race.
This guy from Senegal just had this amazing, peaceful manner, too.
Amy Alkon
at July 1, 2014 10:37 AM
Ppen, last I heard they were trying to bring the rally back to Senengal next year... don't know how that's going.
Cousin Dave at July 1, 2014 11:57 AM
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