Nice story. In the early 80s, I frequented a restaurant in Dakar run by a lovely Cap Verdian woman. She served these 2 liter bottles of Vinho Verde, which I came to love. Her deal was a prix fixe for 1500 CFA, all you could eat. She just kept coming out with new platters until you said you couldn't eat any more - a plate of fried eggs, a platter of langoustine, a rice dish, and so on. On her wall was a picture of John F. Kennedy, the first Catholic American president. It made me realize how significant he was in projecting U.S. soft power, merely because of that fact.
thank you Daniel! As I observe today, the Cape Verde cuisine is extremely basic, even compared to Senegalese. An omelette is just an egg (without onion, tomato or garlic). Bread is just bread, without butter. Meat is meat with nothing. There's never a salad or garnish. We met a grandpa in the mountain, who said we could pick his tomatoes for free and just take them without paying, because no one wanted to buy them. Maybe I can write more about it. But I suspect a CV restaurant inDakar is like a Mexican restaurant in the US: very tasty, but really not even related to Mexican food in Mexico itself.
Pablo, I’m absolutely hooked. This is the kind of story that makes me want to trade in my Scandinavian logic for a backpack and a questionable map.
The way you describe “escaping the system” is bang on, most of the time, the hardest part isn’t logistics, it’s overriding the inner voice (or in my case, both of my therapist parents’ voices) whispering “This is highly unwise. Have you considered the potential for unmet needs?”
But you did it. You wrestled down the civilization daemons (love that), stepped off the predictable path, and found not just a room, but a living, breathing connection with Nélita and her family. And really, isn’t that why we travel? Not for the thread count or the pool, but for moments when you get invited to a basketball game by kids who’ve already decided you’re part of the gang.
And as for overpaying Vito? I’d call it the tuition fee for a masterclass in Freedom 101. Sometimes you’ve got to tip the guide who delivers you to the edge of your comfort zone.
Thank you Siggy. I read your comment carefully. It gave me so much motivation and energy to keep writing. I keep with touch with Nelita, and her daughter just now sent me a quick voicemail in French, kindly enquiring how is life. And life is great if I can share something of value with wonderful people like you. Thank you so much.
Love this Pablo! The sentiment you shared cut right to the bones of any good escaping the system story. Way to flesh out your feelings, and expose the glory that is "escaping the system." ✌️❤️.... now I want more CV hospitality in my life!
"I was too cheap to spend 10 euros per night to support small businesses, so I decided to let myself be at the mercy of kind souls to take me in for the night (that I still haggled with, because their hospitality is not worth 10 euros)" is a more apt title.
This is the most entitled take I've seen on Substack so far and it's setting bad expectations for anyone influenced by it. I don't get why you still felt the need to haggle down! I worked in traditional crafts in my not-so-rich country, it's degrading to be haggled over what is the equivalent of pennies to someone earning many times more than you do.
Nice story. In the early 80s, I frequented a restaurant in Dakar run by a lovely Cap Verdian woman. She served these 2 liter bottles of Vinho Verde, which I came to love. Her deal was a prix fixe for 1500 CFA, all you could eat. She just kept coming out with new platters until you said you couldn't eat any more - a plate of fried eggs, a platter of langoustine, a rice dish, and so on. On her wall was a picture of John F. Kennedy, the first Catholic American president. It made me realize how significant he was in projecting U.S. soft power, merely because of that fact.
thank you Daniel! As I observe today, the Cape Verde cuisine is extremely basic, even compared to Senegalese. An omelette is just an egg (without onion, tomato or garlic). Bread is just bread, without butter. Meat is meat with nothing. There's never a salad or garnish. We met a grandpa in the mountain, who said we could pick his tomatoes for free and just take them without paying, because no one wanted to buy them. Maybe I can write more about it. But I suspect a CV restaurant inDakar is like a Mexican restaurant in the US: very tasty, but really not even related to Mexican food in Mexico itself.
One of your best pieces for me, GREAT stuff, keep them coming! Wish I was as trustful as you my friend ^^
Thank you, you are being very kind and I somehow suspect you have similar stories to tell!
Haha I do but yours is really thought provoking man! i really like how you view things and how mature you are
Pablo, I’m absolutely hooked. This is the kind of story that makes me want to trade in my Scandinavian logic for a backpack and a questionable map.
The way you describe “escaping the system” is bang on, most of the time, the hardest part isn’t logistics, it’s overriding the inner voice (or in my case, both of my therapist parents’ voices) whispering “This is highly unwise. Have you considered the potential for unmet needs?”
But you did it. You wrestled down the civilization daemons (love that), stepped off the predictable path, and found not just a room, but a living, breathing connection with Nélita and her family. And really, isn’t that why we travel? Not for the thread count or the pool, but for moments when you get invited to a basketball game by kids who’ve already decided you’re part of the gang.
And as for overpaying Vito? I’d call it the tuition fee for a masterclass in Freedom 101. Sometimes you’ve got to tip the guide who delivers you to the edge of your comfort zone.
Siggy
Thank you Siggy. I read your comment carefully. It gave me so much motivation and energy to keep writing. I keep with touch with Nelita, and her daughter just now sent me a quick voicemail in French, kindly enquiring how is life. And life is great if I can share something of value with wonderful people like you. Thank you so much.
Wow what a story. It's moments like these that create fond memories and keeps us going. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Brian, you are kind!
Love this Pablo! The sentiment you shared cut right to the bones of any good escaping the system story. Way to flesh out your feelings, and expose the glory that is "escaping the system." ✌️❤️.... now I want more CV hospitality in my life!
Thank you Timothy! I will be on the waiting list to crew your next cruising here!
Awesome adventure. I really admire your mindset to "escape the system."
Cheers
"I was too cheap to spend 10 euros per night to support small businesses, so I decided to let myself be at the mercy of kind souls to take me in for the night (that I still haggled with, because their hospitality is not worth 10 euros)" is a more apt title.
This is the most entitled take I've seen on Substack so far and it's setting bad expectations for anyone influenced by it. I don't get why you still felt the need to haggle down! I worked in traditional crafts in my not-so-rich country, it's degrading to be haggled over what is the equivalent of pennies to someone earning many times more than you do.