I arrived in Dakar a little less than a week ago. The journey here was uneventful aside from flying over North and West Africa. Everywhere else I have flown I am always very aware of human influence to the area. However as I flew from Paris to Dakar I was able to see a mixture of uninhabited sand dunes, lakes, and wooded areas.
The first night we were housed at a touristy hotel near the airport named "Fana Hotel" and were pampered with a pool, private dinner, air conditioning, and wifi. It provided a nice transition between the western world and Senegal, but perhaps set unrealistic expectations for some.
The following day we moved into our host families which all live within walking distance of ACI (Africa Consultants International) or the Baobab Center. There we attended orientation sessions ranging from "Around the Bowl etiquette", trips to downtown Dakar, and a trip to the island of Goree.
As for Dakar, the city is hot, humid, and lively. The streets are packed with vendors, specialty shops, and taxis. I walk less than two blocks from my house to ACI and pass around 20 street vendors. Every other corner has either a fruit stand, Nescafe (Senegalese instant coffee) booth, or person selling cell phone credits. As an American or Toubab, Wolof for white person, I am hit up by every merchant I pass. Thankfully the Senegalese are some of the warmest and hospitable people I've met. The other night I walked pasted by another students house, as I passed her father was on the porch, before I knew it I was being taken inside offered food, drink, and invited for dinner.
I'll share pictures of Dakar and go into greater detail of daily life once I am better acquainted with the city. For the conclusion of this post, there is a picture of a goat chillin on a big metal thing.
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