We had fun weekend, filled with sights, sounds, and tastes of Dakar and Goree Island! Saturday night we had a dinner at a local resturant called "Le Cozy". Following our western standards of dinner around 7pm, we showed up at the location, only to be the first people to arrive! They sat us at the bar and we ordered drinks, while staff trickled in to begin their shifts. So the norm around Dakar and surrounding areas...dinner begins sometime between 8-9pm! The inside of Le Cozy was very similar to an LA or Vegas Lounge! With its Jazz Music theme, color pallet of red, white and black, and dramatic setting...we looked at each other and asked, 'Are we still in Dakar?' This has become sort of the norm with all of the eateries around town...very unassuming, with maybe a wooden sign on the outside, but quite nice and welcoming on the inside. And as patrons finally began coming into the restarant, we also realized that it is one that draws a very nice, and well-dressed crowd. Justin had the shrimp risotto, and I had fish stuffed with cheese and shrimp! They were both extremely great meals!! We were both so happy with our choices, and headed back to the hotel.
On our walk back, we noticed a large group of people...with torches...chanting and singing. Not so sure of what was going on, we treaded causiously toward the noise, only to find that it was the Senegalese Military men and women beginning the celebration of Independence! We stood on the sidewalk watching them, as they marched in circles while singing...with a group of about 20 behind them on horseback. Justin was able to converse with a Policeman standing beside us to get all the details...just again to highlight the fact that Justin can have full conversations in French!! I'm always so impressed! The policeman even had to ask where we were from, because we looked like Americans, but spoke French!
April 4th was the 50th year Celebration of Senegal, Africa's Independence...and a very proud time for them! Rev Jesse Jackson was here to participate in the festivities, and stayed at our hotel with his large entourage. We even met and shook hands with him while sitting at the hotel bar!
On Sunday, we decided to get out of the city and head out to Goree Island....a very small island off the East side of the peninsula. The ferry ride cost us 5,000 cfa (about $9) and only took about 20 minutes - the island isn't big enough for cars! Another US Military guy, Ken (just in Dakar for a couple of weeks), Justin and I, wondered around the very small town, and visited the local museums. There was an old fort and old slave house at one end, and the remains of a castle at the other end, all with exhibits of the island's history. Very interesting and worth the visit. We grabbed some lunch, and were even able to watch the local Independence Parade through town! It was so cute - All the kids lined up with their schools, soccer teams, dance groups, etc., and marched through the middle of town to their anthem, as the Mayor and officials announced them. We just couldn't get over how many kids were there!! I had to stand up on a tree trunk to see over the crowd and was even joined by a little boy dressed in his soccer jersey. I asked him "do you play soccer?"... a smile, and a "Oui" (yes)...then I asked "Are you good?"... an even bigger smile accompanied a "Oui!" (obvious questions and answers, I know, but I couldn't help myself, cause he was just so cute!)
It was also a big weekend in sports here! Le Leut is the local sport...and seems to be similar to judo...in sand, and without the suit. The men wear very little, and are very fit! They are assigned in weight classes and have a ref overseeing the match. From what we could gather, the goal is to get your opponent to the ground...and we think their shoulder or back has to touch the ground, but not sure! We watched it on the hotel bar's Big Screen TV, along with many other obvious fans!
Anyway...that's it for now...enjoy the pictures :)
No comments:
Post a Comment