I have become accustomed to many new smells on my journey in Africa. Some pleasant and some not so pleasant.
I would like to share with you an interesting custom practiced here in Eastern Niger. When visiting a person’s home, a bottle of perfume is frequently passed around for everyone to put on. When I say put on, I do not mean a squirt or dab, often a couple of tablespoons are poured into my hands for me to spread on my clothes, skin and headscarf. Other times it is numerous strategic squirts. The scent is quite strong by the time everyone in the room applies their share. Today I think I was adorned with 5 different aromas (did I ever smell lovely). Today was also the first day I experienced passing roll-on deodorant around.
At the end of the day, in addition to scrubbing off all of the dust that becomes encrusted on my body I think that I spend more time trying to remove all of the fragrances I was smothered with throughout the day.
I have to say that this smell of perfume is one of the most difficult and unexpected smells I have had to adjust to while in Africa.
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3 comments:
How interesting, What is the reason for the perfume?? To mask smell or just for the fun. I bet you smelled pretty(hee hee) I would get a headache from the fragrances.
I believe it is just for fun...a special luxury to share together
Oh how fun for you!!
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