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The Boys of Summer

On this bright sunny morning, the streets of Dakar were full of buses and cars maneuvering through endless numbers of people and horse‑drawn carts. The pungent aromas of Senegal's capital city filled the air. Our tour group boarded a bus for the 1'/2­hour ride to the traditional healer's compound in Fatick, Senegal. Within minutes of being on the highway, we left behind the frantic pace of the crowded city streets. The tranquil scenery of the countryside quickly put me at ease. This sandy, sun-parched terrain, spotted with vegetation, was reminiscent of the northern part of New Mexico that I love.

  After 45 minutes on the road, we pulled over for a rest period. Looking across the highway, I noticed a cluster of baobob trees. With their trunks swollen with stored water, baobob trees are gigantic and look extremely sturdy. Some of these trees appeared to be more than eight feet in diameter. Suddenly a group of boys appeared from nowhere. It became clear that the baobob forest was their playground. I've read that in certain parts of Africa, people believe that spirits live in the trunks of the baobob trees.

  This band of ebony-skinned boys seemed both surprised and pleased at having visitors from a faraway place. We greeted each other with smiles. Much to their delight, they received pens, pencils, and writing paper - commodities that are in high demand but short supply. I managed to gather the enthusiastic group together in front of a baobob tree. As soon as I was ready to photograph, the leader of the group stood in a way that could be likened to a shepherd watching over his flock. The others noticed and followed suit. Then the boys of summer danced happily away and disappeared.