When I threatened to burn the sea, I was serious. But quite a number of you sent emails and facebook messages, and even comments on that blog post imploring me to spare the sea. I have a heart so I've been considering it. For all your sakes, really:) I mean, I don't want to deprive you all of fish, or recreation at Bojo beach or Big Millys So my heart was softened but my resolve remained firm. Until Senegal.
You'll be pleased to hear that I've decided not to burn the sea afterall.
Did I hear a yes? yes! yay! yahooo! hehe.
I'm sparing the sea because next week, 31st August, I'm going on a sweet trip to Dakar, Senegal! For a week. I return 7th September. The idea is, as my boss describes it...to "take a camera, soak up the culture, check out the music scene, talk to people on the street, visit homes, go to the mosque, drink coffee, eat the food" ...it's a cultural immersion trip. One of the many reasons why I love my job. This trip is just the thing to improve anyone's mood. And we all care about the sea so let it live.
I've never been to Senegal so naturally I'm very excited. I thought I'd ask y'all who have been to suggest things to do, places to see, things to buy...
Keep in mind i'm in the process of decorating my first real home. Any elements I could bring back from Senegal to give my living room a touch of err francophone africa? Clothes? Fabrics? Men? hehe.
What should every Ghanaian do on their first trip to Senegal? Places outside Dakar to see? Touristy things? Cheap road trips? For the been-tos, what did you do? What did you enjoy? And for those who are always meaning to travel to other parts of Africa but are still stuck in some grad. school or corporate job in the East or West, what are your dreams? Tell me and let me live them for you. At least I'll write about it so you can imagine how your dreams translate in real life.
End of bluff.
The reality is that I'm looking forward to going. I want to maximise the pleasure and experiences I get out of it. I don't want to spend all the time in a hotel room...and I was hoping you'd have some ideas.
Help a sista out, please? You owe me one. Afterall, I spared your sea:)
You'll be pleased to hear that I've decided not to burn the sea afterall.
Did I hear a yes? yes! yay! yahooo! hehe.
I'm sparing the sea because next week, 31st August, I'm going on a sweet trip to Dakar, Senegal! For a week. I return 7th September. The idea is, as my boss describes it...to "take a camera, soak up the culture, check out the music scene, talk to people on the street, visit homes, go to the mosque, drink coffee, eat the food" ...it's a cultural immersion trip. One of the many reasons why I love my job. This trip is just the thing to improve anyone's mood. And we all care about the sea so let it live.
I've never been to Senegal so naturally I'm very excited. I thought I'd ask y'all who have been to suggest things to do, places to see, things to buy...
Keep in mind i'm in the process of decorating my first real home. Any elements I could bring back from Senegal to give my living room a touch of err francophone africa? Clothes? Fabrics? Men? hehe.
What should every Ghanaian do on their first trip to Senegal? Places outside Dakar to see? Touristy things? Cheap road trips? For the been-tos, what did you do? What did you enjoy? And for those who are always meaning to travel to other parts of Africa but are still stuck in some grad. school or corporate job in the East or West, what are your dreams? Tell me and let me live them for you. At least I'll write about it so you can imagine how your dreams translate in real life.
End of bluff.
The reality is that I'm looking forward to going. I want to maximise the pleasure and experiences I get out of it. I don't want to spend all the time in a hotel room...and I was hoping you'd have some ideas.
Help a sista out, please? You owe me one. Afterall, I spared your sea:)
Oh man, I'm sooooooooo jealous. Is it a work related trip? If yes, where do you work anyway so I can apply? And what do you do?
ReplyDeleteNo need to give you any tips as I'm sure you already know what to do so have fun while youre away and dont forget to buy souvenirs. My boss got me a basket?/wall decoration?/tray? from Botswana and I love it. I just need to figure out what it is and how to use it. Oh and please show us some pics! Yay
have some proper jollof rice! heehee
ReplyDeletehttp://imperfect-black.blogspot.com/2009/08/location-matters-for-jollof-rice-for.html
Ooooh!!! You'll love it there!! I had a blast wen i went last summer! Go to Goree Island if you can. Enjoyyyy!!
ReplyDeleteP.S. You have a pretty swell boss n job.
Pretty please try their "Jollof rice" and share your thoughts. I'm busy trying to make some Senegalese/ Gambian friends so I can try it too.
ReplyDeleteI don't know much how fun it would be, but I am a HUGE fan of Cheikh Anta Diop. The few times I have made it to Dakar I visited the flagship university that is named for him. Much of university was in disrepair but I do recall seeing a rather impressive campus library that had only recently been completed.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I would love to visit the village Popenguine (70km outside of Dakar), home of my favorite author, who happens to be Ghanaian--Ayi Kwei Armah. Both Diop and Armah have a huge following among African Americans like myself who identify as "Afrocentric." kzs
I'm sure you'll love Senegal. My coworker, a French-Canadian lady, said she went to Senegal with her husband, a Senegalese, only to find out that, he forgot to mention that she was his second-wife. She divorced him right there, but she loved the country so much she ended-up staying for a year. My advice: take lots of pictures, eat some real Wolof rice, and don’t get married ;)
ReplyDeleteSee the beaches/ Go to a church/religious ceremony/Observe their traditional wear, get one. Or two. Go to their seat of gov't/ see a university campus/bring back some Senegalese tradional music, they have some very original beats/ride a horse on the beach/canoe ride/Go to arts gallery/get a portrait at a photo studio or sit down for one/acquire a basic local language book,learn a few words/get a couple of good films if they have any/try local foods/go to the busiest market/ohhh get some fancy head scarves/ oh go to a local school and talk to the kids about...whatever/kiss a hot Wolof man....and bring the pictures.
ReplyDeleteTalk to Ayesha... I believe that was her hideaway while she was writin her novel.
ReplyDeleteHi Esi, not sure if you've been to Senegal and back yet.If you have then don't read further.
ReplyDeleteIts a beautiful country-with beautiful people. Much more African than Ghanaians .
A lot of similarities too-- jollof rice,long long traffic(u'll love Accra traffic afterwards), and hangers on/419 boys who'll follow u everywhere.
By the way, get some nice kaftans. Also heard there is a Ghanaian fishing village around, but never had the chance of seeing it.
Ohh and I forgot they have real good african soundz... (if u njoy Yousou Ndour kind of music).You'll hear it everywhere.
ReplyDelete