SENEGAL

My first trip abroad was to Senegal in 2000. I did things quite the opposite of the typical American, traveling to the African continent before going to Europe or anywhere else in the world.

I had the opportunity to go when I was a student at NYU. The purpose of the trip was to have an exchange with kids at different grade schools. But the trip for me was more about connecting with people in the area, specifically a group of musicians and artists with whom I spent most of my spare time.

The following photographs start with Goree Island and 'the door of no return' where slaves last saw African land before being shipped off to America. They then move on to images of places and people I met along my journey.

My first trip to Africa ignited a spark that was already within me....keeping my love for the continent and its people alive...inspiring me to go back in the future.