Last week I had my Fall break. I know that Wellesley students had their own a few weeks ago. Fall break marks a little over the halfway point of my time in Dakar. I have a little over six weeks left here and I do not want to leave yet. I am going to take the next few weeks to soak everything in.
During the break, a few friends and I visited a beach town not too far from Dakar. There, we hung out, went to the beach and rode a horse (also on the beach). I even ate at my host aunt’s restaurant. She made us an amazing dish called Attieke; a couscous-like dish that originates from Côte D’Ivoire.
For the rest of the break, we decided to come back to enjoy what the city has to offer. I have been really interested in Dakar’s cultural side. So I have spent much of my time this break, watching films, visiting museums, galleries, and markets. Dakar has a wonderful art scene that for the rest of my time here I really want to learn more about.
I watched a film at the French Institute in centre-ville and visited the house of Senegal’s first president Leopold Sedar Senghor. Senghor’s importance as a politician and writer was well documented in the house. Our tour guide was one of his former bodyguards and the house was absolutely gorgeous. Learning about Senegal’s first president allowed me to learn much about the country’s early history post-independence.
I also visited the African Renaissance Monument in Dakar. It is not far from my home in Dakar so I decided to take an afternoon and check it out. The statue is reportedly the tallest in Africa. It seeks to commemorate Africa’s history and celebrate its future possibilities. The view from the top of the statue is great. You can see most of the city from up there. Inside the statue, there is a museum with items given to Senegal by various countries as well as a celebration of great African leaders.
This break was just what I needed. I was really able to see parts of Dakar and Senegal that I haven’t been able to before. I felt a little more integrated into Senegalese society.
until next time,
Laïssa