Stranded in Senegal
As the proverb goes, “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.”
I was stranded in Senegal after there were issues with my flight and I had to stay for two days longer than the period anticipated for my workshop. With limited money and resources, I had to relocate from the official upscale hotel paid for by the organisation sponsoring the workshop. I moved into a struggling-to-survive, barely-completed guest house. This was in a bid to economise.
Subsequently, downgrading from my original hotel to the guest house was not without its challenges. The guest house was still under construction, with constant noise. When I asked for hot water to make some tea, the housekeeper rudely asked me to come downstairs and get it myself. She said, “Mais vous ne pouvez pas descendre vous-même?” meaning “But can’t you come down yourself?” At the end of the day, I was just grateful for somewhere to sleep.
So did I cry and pout and generally make myself miserable? No sir! I decided to use those two extra days to catch up on sightseeing and make the most out of the situation.
Save for a taxi driver who vented all his frustration on me when I had to pay him and I only had a note in a larger denomination, all went well. When I explained to him that that note was all I had, he angrily exclaimed that I should have asked him whether he had change before picking the taxi. “Mais il faut demander aah, mais il faut demander aah!” (But you have to ask aah) he kept on shouting as he left me in the taxi to go and look for change.
On the whole I had a great time in Senegal. The people at the market places were very friendly and there was a lot to see and learn. I visited Gorée Island (Île de Gorée) and caught up with history. Although I started with oranges which later became lemons, I made lemonade. I even made two more subsequent trips to Senegal. Here is to memories from Dakar and Gorée Island.
My original hotel
At a nearby bar
Life at sea
African Renaissance Monument (le Monument de la Renaissance Africaine)
Gorée Island (Île de Gorée)
The Statue of Liberation from Slavery, Gorée Island (La Statue de la Libération de l’Esclavage, Île de Gorée)
It would be great to hear about your experiences from Senegal if you have been there or your comments in general even if you haven’t been there. You may post your comments by clicking on the chat icon beneath the heading.
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Nice article.
I enjoyed reading your actual experience.
I’m glad to hear that! Thanks 😊
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Very interesting piece with profound insights with wonderful accompanying photographs, especially, for me the deserted beach 💖
I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed it. Thanks for your comments!
It’s a pleasure 🌹🌺
Indeed, most misfortunes have hidden treasures.
To be stranded in Ndakaru, (Dakar) turned out to give you a life enriching experience.
I was lucky to have done the year abroad program for students of the French language from the University of Cape Coast some years ago and I spent a full academic year in the Université de Dakar (UCAD).
Like experienced, Dakar and its people are worth experiencing! They are welcoming I deed. I still have fresh memories of the place. I can’t forget the tour guides at Gorée!
They know their stuff!
Great to hear your experience of Dakar and its people. Jerejef! (Thanks)!
Thanks so much for sharing your experience too!
Surprisingly, Senegal is recognised as a leading tourist destination in West Africa but your bad experience here shows how customer service has not been factored in their overall tourism destination planning. How on earth should a guest be treated in such a disdainful manner in a guest house? It appears to me that Senegalese are not friendly at all.
You see, visitors experience of a destination is a key factor that motivates him or her to make decision for repeat visits or otherwise. I’m sure your travelling experience in Senegal would stay with you for a long time. It may influence people like me to rethink my future plan to visit Senegal.
Lady Heidi, thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Well, it was a one-off experience. Other service providers were very friendly and helpful. Please visit Senegal when you can!
……thats the whole story/lesson of life summarised. life is full of sudden twists and turns, especially on highways where you expect the roads to be straight and wide. At that point, what do you do? Do you stop and complain, miscalculate and run into the curve, or quickly adjust and move on?
Thank you for not just telling us what to, but for also showing us…..
Always a pleasure.
As for this one, you did not only make lemonade out of the situation but also some cookies to go with the lemonade. 😊😊😊
Hahaha 😆. Good one there! Yes I did!
You have excellent resiliency, Madam! Nothing makes you give up. It is as it is. Sometimes you have to survive difficult circumstances. Great One!!!
Thanks for the compliment!