Tour of Dakar and Host Families

Today is the day that we met our host families. I will chronicle the rest of the days activities for the purpose of memory and keepsake, however the main event was meeting the families that we would be living with for the next 8 weeks. The day began with what I now know is a traditional Senegalese breakfast which is a baguette, a croissant, a cup of hot tea and orange juice. Although very simple the breakfast is very filling and I enjoyed it very much.

After we had breakfast we brought our bags down from our rooms and loaded the bus for what would be our first tour of Dakar. During the tour we stopped and got out at numerous landmarks and views around the city while our instructor Wally told us about all of the history of the different monuments. The first stop was the Porte du Troisieme Millenaire.

Port du Troisieme Millenaire

Here's the view from behind the Porte du Troisieme Millenaire of the coast of Senegal.

The next stop was the Presidential Palace, which was located on one of the main avenues in Dakar, Avenue Leopold Sedar Senghor. The current president of Senegal is Macky Sall and his 5 year term began in April 2012.

President Obama & President Sall

The Presidential Palace Gates

The next stop was one of Waly's favorite places in Senegal, the Bunker at the very south of the city.

A goat who was on the Bunker 

Also we saw a home on the Bunker which was very interesting as well. 

One stop during our tour was of the African Renaissance Statue which is the tallest statue in Africa. It is very controversial statue as its construction was criticized by many because the President, Abdoulaye Wade spent $30 million on it. Also it points to the west, which is controversial given the history of colonialism in Senegal and Africa.

The African Renaissance Statue

This was the view of Dakar from the base of the statue.

At one point we got out of the bus in downtown Dakar walked around the city which was extremely busy and it reminded me a lot of New York in that it was organized chaos except more chaotic which made the organization even more impressive. We then returned to the WARC for lunch after which we spent some time writing our own personal blogs in the computer room and resting/cooling off after walking around in the hot sun during the tour. This was valuable time for reflection as I began to think about my time in Senegal so far (it had only been two days but it seemed much longer). 

Then before we knew it Ala stepped in and told us that our host families were here and it time for us to meet them. Before meeting my host family I was very nervous just as well as the rest of the MSID students because I knew that this family would be a huge part of my stay here in Dakar. I also anticipated that I would be in Dakar for the second half of the program, the internship phase, so I may even be with this family for the entire three months. As we walked out I saw of group of Senegalese people, most were women in their traditional wardrobes and a few were younger looking men in their late 20s. As I was looking for the person or people who represented my host family I saw a woman who was holding a folder that appeared to have my name on it. As I approached her she said “Chris? Awww tu es jolie, tu resembles mon petit fils” You are pretty you look like my grandson”. I explained to her that I was a student from the US who studied in New York and was from Sacramento, stumbling across my words as I went. Looking back this is all information she likely knew because it was in the packet. We then departed for the house. 

When we arrived I was surprised at the size of the villa because I expected to be cramped in a small space with many children as I knew many people lived in the house with Mama Fatou. However she took me upstairs and showed me that I would have my own room, a great privileged given the status of some people in Dakar. After unpacking some I lied down and fell asleep, as it had been a very long day. I woke up a little dismayed as I smelled very delicious food and thought that I had missed dinner. Mama Fatou asked my little brother to show me where the store was so that I could purchase things in the future. He took my hand with his small hand and guided me right there as it was right around the corner. As a token of my appreciation I gave my little brother a glow in the dark bouncy ball and  I told him to bounce it to see the effects. After running downstairs with it to show people he immediately started playing soccer with it, which surprised me however I should have known. 

Then as the family member started to trickle into the courtyard we then sat down for dinner. My first dinner consisted of chicken and onions over frites et lettuce. Describing the contents of the dinner however do not do the meal justice because it was amazing. The way that Senegalese people traditionally eat dinner is by gathering around a large plate which they all share. They used their hands to pick up the food and they often use bread to assist in scooping the food up. As we sat around this very large plate eating I thought about how such an everyday experience for the Senegalese could be such a special experience for me. After dinner Mama Fatou cut up mangoes which we had for dessert. These mangoes were delicious as well, some of the best I've ever had and extremely sweet.