Blogs from Saint-Louis, Saint-Louis Region, Senegal, Africa - page 3

Dear Family and Friends I have survived my first 3 to 4 days in Africa and began that oft talked about term called “culture shock.” I have experienced it a couple of times and I am familiar with several of its variation; I always find it exceptionally difficult to specifically analyze the impact it is having on my behavior. With that aside I can pinpoint one phenomenon that I have run across that is something which has been referred to as "African time." The phrase itself does not have much currency here, specifically in St. Louis; however, the phenomenon is quite obvious. I suppose that every hyperactive, energetic, constantly working, Western, adrenaline junkie like me is baffled and boondoggled by this immense sand trap that is “African time.” Getting up at 7 am with an itching ... read more

It is probably not hot enough to fry an egg on the pavement. Probably. Some nights the bed feels like it has an electric blanket on it. The fan moves hot air around and certainly feels better than when it is not on (when electricity is cut—at unpredictable times but several hours most days). In April mornings were pleasant until 10 or 11. In May the night cool was gone by 9AM. In the litany of greetings that are de rigeur, each person asks how about the heat; are you OK with this. Very few places have A/C, and some not much cooler than outside. The word is that it will be better with rain, but stories of flooding, the thought of muddy sand (which covers all areas as sidewalks), do not make the change appealing. ... read more

I had my worst mishap of the trip thus far. I went on an ill-fated kayak trip and stupidly did not think to leave important things on dry land, including my camera, money, and passport! Lost my bug-spray and a bottle of “home-made” spring water. Right now I’m letting the camera dry but I fear that because it was salt water it may be toast! Hopefully, at the very least the memory card will still work. Also the Senegal stamp in my passport washed off and two Myfloquin tablets were destroyed. I should be OK on both counts, however, as I have extra Myfloquin and I didn’t need a visa for Senegal anyway. As far as sinking a Kayak in a African river (Senegal river) goes, this was not too bad an outcome --- no crock/hippo ... read more

I decided the first place to visit after Dakar would be to the colonial city of St. Louis in the north on the coast. First, I want to teach you a little about transport in most parts of Africa including Senegal. Often there is no chance to take comfortable buses from city to city. My options are instead you can take a local bus, which stops every few minutes to pickup and let off people. This can make even traveling a short distance seem to take forever. The faster version is a bush taxi or what they call "sep-plus" in Senegal. It is a smaller model station wagon that transports 7 passengers and a driver. If you do not get the front seat, and are tall like me, it will be a tight squeeze. Also, these ... read more

so it must be about ten days I havent updated, but black africa is too intense for stoping and posting. also internet speed blows, so its pain... well, saint louis was fun and relaxd, I got there with a spanish guy that I met up again by chance in the boat to casamance from dakar. we got there from nouakchott with two french dudes, one of which was crazy and scary enough for me to smile and nod at any of his crazy theories about vendors taking your energy away by touching you or the hot wind burning his skin, and not the sun. well, at least they gave us a cheap ride to saint louis, they were gouing to sell a Renault 25 there, thatll be my next trip... and so we got to saint ... read more