So my classmate, Tad, flew into Dakar on Wednesday. As explained earlier we will be working on the same project but from different angles. On the way back from the airport I was explaining to him how I had explored the surrounding streets a little and what there was around the Institut. This guy is a runner, he said he would do some more exploring as he goes for runs and report back what he finds.
What is there around the Institut exactly? There’s the German, English and Belgium Embassies across the street (which never seem to be open but always have a guard sitting in a booth reading the newspaper). The neighbor to the north is Centre Hospitalier Universitairie-Artistide Le Dantec. This means that the street is always busy with taxis and street vendors. At the end of the street there is a Shell gas station, yes that Shell.
On Friday, Tad and I decided to find the beach that was said to be just a few minutes away walking along Route de la Corniche Est; A road along the eastern coast of Dakar that runs from the port down and around the tip of the peninsula, I have nicknamed it ‘The 101’.
On the road I saw a billboard advertising the hot match of the summer, I’m thinking most of you are guessing that it referred to a soccer game and you would be wrong. Nope, here in Senegal wrestling is the numero uno sport. Apparently this match at the end of July is going to be epic (probably why the fee is going to be 10,000 CFA, just over $20). You can read a not to recent article from the BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8617738.stm
The Hot Match, guess where I'll be on the 31st
We find the beach, Plage de l’Anse Bernard. It’s just a small little stretch of sand but looks perfect for cooling down. I did not wear a swim suit since I was unsure what the ladies dress code would be, I happily found several women wearing one pieces and bikinis. Next time people, next time. I have to say that I will definitely be wearing shoes at all times considering that in addition to copious amounts of smooth sea glass the beach is littered with many sharp glass shards as well.
While the beach was not at all crowded, I also noticed that it seems people had taken up residence on the beach in makeshift housing. Whether this is considered temporary or permanent housing I cannot say.
