Day 1: A New Perspective

Once we touched down in Senegal I was overcome with joy, excitement and curiousity. The craziest thing about traveling, is the sky. No matter where you go the sky always looks the same, although it some places it might be cloudy or more blue, the sky is something that is always recognizable. For me, it is a reminder that we are all people, human beings, living here on Earth and although we may be from different parts of the world, the sky and the sun are what keeps us connected. 

Once we got off the plane and claimed our luggage we met Dr. Thiam, our professor and Senegalese native, who would not only serve as wonderful tour guide but a great resource for knowledge and wisdom about Senegal and Africa in general. On the hour bus ride into Dakar he showed us the city that was being built from scratch, right outside of Dakar. Take a moment and try to imagine what it would be like to build an ENTIRE city from scratch! It is unimaginable, but the innovation and imagination of the Senegalese people are unmatched. They have plans for a basketball stadium, houses and government buildings as well as sustainable  energy with the use of solar panels. Dr. Thiam explained that after many African countries gained their freedom in the 1960’s, they were building from scratch. Once France left they took a lot and left them to build. The new city’s purpose is to create more space because Dakar has become so overcrowded. 

We arrived at the hotel and got situated as we got ready to go and eat (I knew I was home, because the first thing on my mind was food as well). We arrived at the restaurant and this would be the moment of truth. Food was one of the number one concerns I had, because in the U.S . I don’t eat much African food, the Jamaican food my dad eats is too spicy and I AM NOT A FAN OF RICE! But I went in with an open mind and man was the food DELICIOUS!! Everything from the salad to the chicken and rice was so delicious! The seasonings and sauce really made the dish and I can’t believe I had never had anything like it! I had a traditional juice that tasted like a melted candy cane and desert that tasted like a melted Hershey’s you’d find in your pocket on a summer day. I was in heaven and was so excited to go to dinner! 

At dinner, we went to a restaurant that although took hours to bring out our food, was delicious. The food was good, but the conversation was even more appetizing. We talked about everything from the most famous clown on Earth (Trump) to the long term effects of colonization on the country. We saw billboards for skin lightening cream and much like in the U.S. the idea that lighter is better, is in much effect. I asked if the “Black is Beautiful” and Love Your Melanin” campaign has come over here from the States and Dr. Thiam said that many people who are educated, understand and participate in the movement, but others who are still caught in the colonial thinking get wrapped up in that (which is the same in the African-American community). 

Trump was a WHOLE nother conversation, because I quickly realized that America is the laughing stock of the world. We expressed that his words are so dangerous and even though we can joke and laugh about it, it’s serious. I talked to Dr. Thiam about the President of Nigeria meeting with Trump and how interesting it was to me, because not to long ago he called African countries “shithole countries” (excuse my French) and he explained to me the elitist attitude of many of the African presidents. They seperate themselves from their people, because the issues that are going on with their people either do not concern them, or they can not relate. I explained that that’s how we look at Trump. To us, he is so far removed from the rest of the world that that is the reason he feels he can say whatever he wants and get away with it. We had a similar conversation about Kanye, but to hear about that you’ll have to check out my YouTube channel. After dinner we went back to the hotel, and even though I was tired I was incredibly anxious for the next day. (Below you’ll find my #OOTD) 

My Outfit of the Day: 

Shirt (Pitaya), Purse (Express), Sunglasses and Jacket (Forever 21)