Thursday, October 30, 2008

Fashion is Def on the Rise in Salone!


Okay oh....I'm back! LoL. Have you ever been around a group of Sierra Leoneans preparing to go home for the holiday season? Well today I was in the company of a group of women who are planning to head home for Christmas after being away for a few years. While with these women, I heard a lot of talk about how they are going to be "doing it up", and how the things that they have purchased or will purchase are "top of the line", how "nobody nah Salone go get dis kind style", and how in Salone "dem pekin dem go colay pan mi"...lol. Well, well, well...some folks will be in for a rude awakening because Salone titi dem don really up-to-date when e cam pan fashion.

When I visited Sierra Leone this past summer, fashion was definitely a huge part of the social scene. The thing that impressed me most was the way they were able to incorporate western styles into traditional African attire; I believe the opening of a new shop called Aschobi Designs can be attributed to this new rise in African fashion. They have some of the most unique, beautifully designed clothes ever. Geez, can you imagine...I went to this poetry show one night in Sierra Leone, I walked into the place and I was bombarded with a myriad of this new, hip, style of African traditional wear. At the time, ah jus bin wan tro way mi sef bcuz I felt like I needed to also partake in this new revolution...damn, why didn't I know this was the deal in Sierra Leone?!?! Now, don't get it twisted I still looked banging that night but still...lol. So the next time I got an opportunity, off I went on my search for the perfect Aschobi Designs dress. I needed something to wear for an event I was heading to that evening, so I definitely wanted to be draped in something from the shop. When I finally got there, I searched, searched, and searched for the perfect "Kadija" dress...I am very picky and it is so hard for me to make a decision under pressure and believe me the pressure was on because time was definitely against me. So, I headed over to the wall where there was a whole host of pictures with different models showing off some of the designs. The dresses were so on point, but everything that I pointed to stating that I wanted was followed by "this is already specially designed for someone else", or "this is currently not available at the time". Arrrghhhh.....lol. Unfortunately, I must say that I had to leave the shop empty handed because "someone" was rushing the mess out of me calling every minute to see what was taking me so long and I still hadn't even gotten the chance to try something on. Nonetheless, I don't even think that what I wanted to buy would have even been ready for me at that particular moment because I think they had to do a dress fitting and I just didn't have time for all of that. But, what I do know is that no mess like that will happen again, trust that next time I am leaving with a dress or two or three in hand...lol.

So basically, what I am trying to say is, for all of you JCs wae feel say una go go kill all man wit una western style dem dis holiday season, nah fo take u tem and pick u clothes right oh! Nor feel say di Salone of yestaday nah di Salone of tiday oh! Especially when it comes to the fashion arena. If you feel say you nah bluff uman, then you better definitely come with your A game cuz dem titi dem nah Salone tough oh! LoL

...nothing but love and a whole lot of fun. Until next time...peace!

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Back to reality...but reality isn't too bad!


So, I have been on hiatus for sometime now...seems like forever! A lot has happened over these past few months or so, it just is too much to explain. I returned back to the US from my trip in sweet mama Salone about 2 months ago and I am starting to get back into the swing of things again, but believe me, when I came back to America I was on big time depression mode! I just could not (or would not) get Sierra Leone off of my mind. Going to Salone this past summer confirmed three things in my life, 1) that Sierra Leone is where I want to be living in the near future, 2) Sierra Leone def has a very promising future and 3)well I will keep that to myself...heeheehee....I digress.

From the time I arrived at Dulles Airport with my family and friends, the only things on my mind were, how much fun my cousin and I would have in Sierra Leone with our other loved ones to celebrate completing our four years in college.. But, much to my surprise ( I mean trust me I still had a blast) things had suddenly switched up and the airline company would not allow my cousin to board the flight because of some immigration issues....aaahhh!!! When you talk about prayers and serious persuasion tactics going on, man we tried everything! Nothing would work, the airline people said no and it was final. So here I was, I had my summer planned out to have such an amazing experience with my homegirl by my side and that just wasn't going to happen. Finally, we said our tear-filled good-byes and I proceeded to embark upon my journey back home alone.

After what seemed like a short plane trip, I arrived in London, Heathrow Airport, I set off to check myself in to board onto my other flight (bad mistake!) which was set to leave in an hour and a half or so. The problem was that I didn't need to check in again because I had already been electronically checked in all the way through back from America. So, here I was in London, by myself, in this huge airport, with confusing signs, and with 15 minutes to go before the gates for my flight to Sierra Leone to close (darn it!!!). Aye yah! If you could have seen me running through London's Heathrow airport...oh gosh! By the time I got to my departure gate, everyone had already boarded and the gates were just about to close on my behind. I was so out of breath I could barely speak (note to self...begin working out again!) but thanks be to God, I was able to board my flight, and off I went to see mama! I was so stoked!

From the moment I landed in Lungi Airport (Sierra Leone), I had VIP treatment...lol. I'm telling you when they say that a person can only be King or Queen in their own country...they definitely didn't lie! I was greeted at the baggage pickup area by my sweetheart and I was informed that a protocol officer would be taking care of everything from that point on for me (oh yeah...cool!). I made my way into the VIP waiting room, where I met with the likes of top government officials and millionaires who traveled to Sierra Leone for business, and I immediately thought to myself..."hmmm...I am in good company! This trip may not be too bad after all!" and indeed it wasn't. I had the time of my life, I enjoyed myself so much that I even extended my trip!

My life in Sierra Leone, seemed so unreal compared to my normal, mundane, type of lifestyle in the states. There is just something about that little country on the west coast of Africa!

What I know is that it was a life changing experience for me, and I thank God for the opportunity to go to Sierra Leone. The trip really confirmed some things for me and there are nothing but smiles over here in my little corner!

Take care and God bless.

Salone's Sweetheart