Dakar in Senegal

How I could go on endlessly about traveling in Africa and how long it takes, crossing the continent from east to west in particular. But who am I to complain if I am paid to go to Senegal and even better when I get to see old friends? So I left earlier to visit my friend Wanji who I studied with in Brighton for the weekend. Well, things turned out a little different than expected but nevertheless unlike many conferences where one doesnt see a thing apart from the hotel itself I actually got a bit around. To the island of Goree for example, where sclaves used to be traded and held and which is now a major tourist attraction with tons of artists and traders.

And god, did they hassle people. As friendly and outgoing the Senegalese are, there is no such thing as wandering the streets untroubled. I did adore the taxi drivers though, chewing cola nut, gesticulating wildly in traffic, cheeky as hell when it comes to negotiating prices but always in for a good laugh when they get caught on totally overpricing.



As soon as I arrived the familiar smell of dust and heat entered my nose. A nice breeze from the sea, this special afternoon light and the omnipresent muezzin together made me like this place instantly. Traffic and pollution however, made me long for sleepy Kigali.

On the market I bought some traditional Bazin fabric, from Mali or as I was surprised to learn actually produced in Germany and couldnt resist to even visit a taylor and have something made. That didnt work so well though, as I look a little like St.Lucia with my white boubou and golden embroidery. I had insisted on writing down to make it silver but the taylor was almost offended when we suggested he might forget if he didnt. But I knew it, thanks to years of experience now.

Together with Wanji I explored the culinaric side of Dakar, but as I had some unpleasant memories of the heavy, greasy Senegalese food I stuck to the international, or rather french side of it. I couldnt get enough of the yummy fish and seafood, nice drinks in nice bars.