Olivier in Senegal

Guinea-Bissau

2010-05-24T09:54:00.005Z

I haven't written any new posts on this blog for almost a year. Yet, it seems to have taken a life of its own and I often receive messages and requests from around the world.

The most recent one comes from Bernard Pollack and Danielle Nierenberg, at www.BorderJumpers.org. They are traveling to almost every African country to "highlight the stories of hope and success on the ground". Their blog is worth a click!

As for myself, I recently completed a contract in Guinea-Bissau, a portuguese-speaking country, where I discovered a new side of West Africa. Of course, I managed to squeeze in a few visits to the Cacheu region and the beautiful Bijagos Islands. But no new fun stories from Senegal.

Best regards to all readers who followed me through my Senegalese experience,

Olivier

Beach in Rubane

Governor's house in Cacheu

Cacheu

ENOA

2009-07-27T12:50:00.003Z

On July 17th, I attended the École Nationale des Officiers d’Actives’s 27th graduation ceremony, where students received their Second Lieutenant shoulder boards.

It started around 9 am. The Minister of Armed Forces gave a speech, followed by shoulder boards, a military parade, group pictures, and lunch around the pool.

I am happy I had the opportunity to attend this event, as military rituals and uniforms teach a lot about a country’s traditions. For example, the uniform’s 5 gold rectangles around the neck represent traditional “gris-gris” for luck and strength.

Graduating students

Student receive their Second Lieutenant shoulder boards

Second Lieutenant willing to serve their country

The Minister of Armed Forces and othe military leaders

Olivier and Lieutenant Mané

Canada Day in Dakar

2009-07-05T21:08:00.002Z

On July 1st, 2009, I attended the embassy’s Canada Day party in Dakar. Last year, I had forgotten my camera. This year, I made sure to film the choir’s national anthems.

See above for the national anthem of Canada. I added the words. See below for the national anthem of Senegal.

Nadine, Julie, Raoni, Olivier, Véronique, Ümit.

Jazz Festival - Saint-Louis 2009

2009-06-30T17:09:00.004Z

I spent another weekend in Saint-Louis, and I still love this city, especially during the jazz festival, because the whole town is buzzing for 4 days.

I posted pieces of the offical concerts at Quai des Arts in the above video.

In the video below, I'm introducing you to my favorite act of the weekend: Ablaye Cissoko.

Véronique, Louisa, Olivier, and Bouli at Zebrabar

Senegalese Boubou

2009-05-17T22:30:00.010Z

After 15 months in Senegal, I thought it was time to start wearing traditional clothes. I decided to buy my very first boubou for my birthday. Unfortunately, I didn’t find any boubou shops and had to have it tailor-made like everyone else. It was my very first tailor-made piece of clothing.

I bought some waxed thioup fabric at the market. Every thioup pack has two pieces, one for the pants, and one for the top shirt. You can choose to have both of the same colour, or one plain colour for the paints and motifs for the shirt. For long boubous, you should buy 6 m² and for shorter ones 4 m².

Then, it’s on to the tailor. Usually, clients select models from catalogues. But I decided to challenge my tailor by sketching a prototype myself.

I drew it a bit differently from traditional boubous, with tighter pants and a tighter shirt. I also reversed the fabrics, by using the motifs for pants and the plain one for my shirt. I added a collar and asked for a triangle with motifs around the neck.

I waited four days before seeing the final result. During those four days, I thought to myself that it would have been much simpler to just let the tailor make a boubou the way he knows best, instead of pretending to be a African designer.

But I am pleased with the result and proud of my design. You can compare my boubou with other traditional clothes on the pictures below.

Will I ever draw another one? No, probably not. Next time, I’ll let the tailor make a boubou, without my little complicated sketches!

Sunday in St-Louis

2009-04-23T23:30:00.004Z

Even after a year in Senegal, I still enjoy spending time in St-Louis. Its small island on the Senegal River is lively and colourful.

In the above video, I am showing the Faidherbe Bridge, built during colonial years to pivot upon boats’ arrival. I am also showing fishing pirogues, the tennis club, children playing in the street and three horses at hydrobase’s beach.

Mboro - Potato Fields

2009-04-23T23:07:00.002Z

Potato harvests ended in Mboro. This year was a good one, but Senegal remains a potato importer, more than a potato producer.

In my video above, you can see potato fields in the sand, the use of drop-by-drop irrigation, and manual harvesting.

Calculating manual harvesting’s profitability is not always easy, but cultivators and their families keep welcoming us with happy smiles!

Popenguine

2009-02-24T22:33:00.004Z

It’s the second time I spend a weekend in Popenguine. I always enjoy this place, because few tourists go there, yet it doesn’t feel isolated. The beach is nice and houses are built close to the sea. Each year, Senegal’s Christian community organises large gatherings.

Popenguine’s best meeting point in my mind remains Keur de Sable. Food there is excellent and you can rent simple bedrooms. If Keur de Sable has no more room, they’ll refer you to other houses and apartments on the beach, thanks to their many contacts.

Fulgence

2009-01-11T23:57:00.002Z

On Friday night, I went to Thies’ Palais des arts to see Fulgence’s show. It’s the second time I attend one of his concerts and this time, I prepared a short medley in the above video.

Below, I pasted his last music video: Fass Bu Nuul. His video presents a Senegalese ritual: circumcision. Boys wear white clothes and hat during the healing process. This event, which I believe to be painful, brings boys into manhood in the eyes of their clan.

Goats on a bus

2009-01-07T11:51:00.001Z

Even after a year, transportation in Senegal still makes me smile, because rules here are completely different from Canada’s. At the beginning of my stay, I showed you the video of a truck overloaded with merchandise: http://olivierinsenegal.blogspot.com/2008/03/common-transportation-by-truck.html. Now I’m back with a passenger bus covered with goats on its rooftop, all looking backward.

It’s probably one of the goats’ last rides, most likely to a city market where families and restaurants will buy them to kill them in their backyards. Personally, I think that’s the reason why these goats are looking backward… not to face their bloody destiny!

For having eaten goat in Senegal, I must admit it’s very good. I learnt quickly to close my eyes on Canadian hygiene rules and to set up regular anti parasite treatment appointments at the doctor’s.

Restaurants that specialize in BBQed meat are called “dibiterie”. They can be found on almost every street corner of the country. The Senegalese love meat. In “dibiteries”, you find mostly sheep meat, but also goat, beef, and sometimes pork. It tastes good and its cost varies between 2000-4000 Francs CFA per Kg (5-10$ CAD).

I sleep with a mosquito net

2008-12-08T12:50:00.001Z

As millions of people do, I sleep with an insecticide impregnated mosquito net to avoid malaria. These parasite-carrying mosquitoes usually travel at night.

The ritual is simple: every evening, I unfold the mosquito net over my bed and place it between two pillows and the wall. Every morning, I bring it up with a knot.

The mosquito net market offers two types: cubic nets and circle nets. I chose to install a circle net, because there’s only one whole to drill in the ceiling. Cubic nets are supposed to be more efficient (less skin contact), but harder to install.

Pricewise, I looked at impregnated mosquito nets in Canada, but prices varied between $80 and $250. In Senegal, drugstores sell them for 5000 Francs CFA (approximately $12 CAD) and health stations for 1500 Francs CFA (approximately $3.60). These prices are subsidised specifically for malaria prevention.

I don’t really enjoy sleeping with a mosquito net. It feels like a claustrophobic heat bubble. But I’m getting used to it. It’s a terrible disease and the United Nations are clear:
- One child dies from it every 30 seconds
- 90 million African children still haven’t received a mosquito net.

For more information: the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/).

Top 10 "I'll never get used to it"

2008-12-01T00:26:00.003Z

As I indicated in my previous blog post, I made some great discoveries in Senegal. However, culture shock for a Canadian is still unavoidable. Even after 9 months, I find certain habits hard to get used to.

1. Work meetings always begin 2-3 hours late
Every time! 2-3 hours late! And every time, as a well trained Canadian I arrive on time!

2. No toilet paper and soap in bathrooms
In Senegal, the use of toilet paper is not widespread. People feel more comfortable using their left hand and water.

3. Eating with my hand
I’ve always heard: “don’t eat with your hands”. Here, it’s the opposite; everyone digs into dishes with their right hand and then licks their fingers.

4. Eating in a common bowl on the floor, barefoot
Meals are always served in a large common bowl on a carpet, where everybody sits barefoot.

5. The smell of burning garbage in the street
People throw their garbage in a metal tank on the street and light it on fire once in a while.

6. Insect size
Insects are huge! I am posting the picture of a spider I saw in Dakar and the video of a caterpillar.

7. Gasoil black smoke
Most cars run on gasoil, a type of dirty gas, with heavy black fumes.

8. Bush taxis
Bush taxis often are the only public transportation mean to reach distant regions. These taxis are usually old 505 Peugeots from the 70’s for seven passengers. I never have enough space.

9. Prayer calls at 4-5 am
Muslims pray 5 times a day. Their praying schedule changes on a weekly basis, but at least one prayer takes place at night. As a non-Muslim, 4:00 am prayer calls from loud speakers at the nearby mosque still wake me up.

10. Rice crust at the bottom of a cooking pan
In Senegal, burnt rice at the bottom of a cooking pan is considered the best part of a meal.

But I insist, despite those culture shocks, the Senegalese are extremely welcoming and I am grateful for my time in Senegal!

My Senegalese Top 10

2008-11-27T19:18:00.002Z

1. Permanent summer!
As a Canadian, being able to go to the beach every single day of the year is an amazing feeling, since we’re used to the cold most of the year. Here, I’m never cold and I never watch weather forecast to know how to dress in the morning.

2. Teranga
In Wolof, the word “Teranga” means hospitality. In Senegal, Teranga translates into a warm welcome and good dinner in everyone’s home. Foreigners are quickly treated as family members. BEWARE: Con artists in touristic areas often use Senegal’s Teranga tradition to rip off tourists in search of an authentic Senegalese experience…

3. The desert
Its dust hurt my sinuses, insects there are huge, and the heat is incredibly heavy, yet, I love the desert! Its light, its wildlife, and its inhabitants are just impressive. I always look forward to my next visit.

4. Wild camels
They are tall, quiet, and exotic. I keep taking pictures of them in the desert. They’re never afraid of us, even standing 7-10 feet away from them.

5. Maffé
Maffé is my favourite Senegalese dish: beef and peanut sauce served on a large plate of white rice. It can sometimes feel a bit heavy and often requires an afternoon nap, but it tastes great!

6. Dibiterie
Every street corner has its Dibiterie, a kind of small shack where meet is cooked BBQ style in a wood-burning oven. Animals (sheeps, goats, and others) are usually cut down in small pieces around 5 pm, and then served with onion rings, mustard and hot peppers.

7. Traditional bread
Traditional bread is hard to find in town, because of its wood oven pollution, but it is some of the best bread I’ve ever tasted! It looks like French baguette, only shorter (about 1/3 of its size) and heavier.

8. The city of St-Louis du Sénégal
This French colonial capital is located on an island in the North of Senegal. It’s very colourful and charming, with its Louisiana style balconies.

9 Ngor Island in Dakar
Going to Ngor Island is like taking a pirogue to a small heaven far far from Dakar. Yet, it’s only a 10-minute ride.

10. Music and dancingI started dancing again!

I thought I was getting too old, but the party industry is pretty solid here! Every Saturday night from 1:30 am until 7:00 am, Mbalax rythms can only force you to jump on the dance floor with happy Senegalese.

Here I am!

2008-11-26T11:50:00.004Z

Here I am!

After a 5 month absence, I decided to start blogging again about Senegal.

What happened to me since July 5th to explain this long silence? My computer broke down, I took a holiday in Europe and more generally I settled down into a less exciting work routine.

But after spending 9 months in Senegal, I’m coming back with an improved cultural understanding and new discoveries.

Therefore, I suggest you subscribe to my posts via RSS or come back regularly for updates to follow my new adventure, starting tomorrow, when I will post my “top-10 Senegalese favourites” list.

Olivier

Zebrabar

2008-07-05T13:25:00.004Z

I spent an amazing weekend at Zebrabar (http://www.zebrabar.net/), a small solar powered heaven, south of St-Louis.

The park is full of friendly pets: a donkey (which thinks it’s a dog and loses fights to cats), a toad that’s afraid of the rain, bats that enter the bar, colourful birds, running crabs, blue lizards, and many more.

Zebrabar definitely is an entertaining place!

Zebrabar Bar

Anouk and Bertrand

Fabrice

Senegal River

My hut

First rain

2008-07-05T12:47:00.001Z

Rainy Season is here! In Senegal, Rainy Season starts in June and ends towards the beginning of October. The heat becomes very humid, up until impressive thunder storms. The above video shows the first rain in Dakar this season.

Cultivators benefit from Rainy Season. But for cities, it means unbearable heat, floods, mosquitoes, malaria, and power shortages. I’ve been told that August and September were the most difficult months… more rain to come!

Jazz Festival – Day 3

2008-06-07T11:39:00.003Z

I spent my last evening at Quai des Arts with friends (see pictures below), to listen to Fra Fra Sound, Luedeman Winterschladen, and Malouma. I didn’t know it yet, but it would be my last fun weekend before being sick for a few weeks…

Again, I’m posting short videos from the show.

I’m not sure Malouma (Mauritania) fits into the jazz category, but she was definitely the most interesting artist of the weekend. Judging by the Mauritanian crowd in the room, she is a famous (and somewhat controversial, as I understand) singer.

Fra Fra Sound

Malouma

The Big Boss

Ümit, Olivier, Cheikh

Bertrand and Anouk

Tatyana and Fabrice

Nicolas, Capucine, Ümit, Véronique

Olivier and Mélanie

Jazz Festival – Day 2

2008-06-07T11:25:00.005Z

And now, real jazz !

Three groups, Trynum, Bossazina, and Collectif Le Bocal, presented various beats. I thought Collectif Le Bocal was particularly interesting with its many trumpets, its electric guitar, and piano.

I am posting a few short videos from the show, followed by pictures from St-Louis.

Bossazina

Trynum

Jazz Festival – Day 1

2008-06-07T11:02:00.001Z

I had been planning to attend St-Louis’ Jazz Festival (http://www.saintlouisjazz.com/) for 2 months.

I attended concerts on 3 of the 4 show nights at Quai des Arts and was not disappointed!

The opening show on May 8th started with a fashion show, followed by traditional greeting songs from the Ensemble lyrique traditionnel de Sorano.

Official invitation

Fashion show

Potou Region

2008-05-04T16:57:00.003Z

I had the opportunity to spend a whole day in a small village (desert region of Potou). Our meeting with the villagers took place under a tree. They were very welcoming and prepared us food and drinks.

Village life is rather calm. There’s no road access. People live in straw huts. Wealthier cultivators build one room cement houses. Social gathering all take place under the shade of two main trees.

Potou Meeting

2008-05-04T15:57:00.003Z

I attended a meeting in Potou on onion pricing. The conference room was located in a small resort made of tiny houses with straw roofs.

Many birds called its beautiful garden home, including a small canary, which was knocking on the room’s window, and an owl that was sleeping on the main building’s balcony.

Niayes

2008-05-04T12:51:00.002Z

The Niayes zone is a desert on the Atlantic Coast, between Dakar and St-Louis. Only fishermen and cultivators live there. At low tides, driving on the beach is faster than the highway. Its landscape is incredible and is only shared by fishermen, horses, a few 4x4s, and hundreds of pelicans.

I added the song “Baye Fall” by Yoro Ndiaye, to introduce you to my favourite Senegalese singer.

Fishing Pirogues

Bringing vegetables to fishermen

Pelicans

Thieppe

2008-04-23T00:04:00.003Z

This time, I'm broadcasting a video from the desert in the region of Thieppe. I finally got close enough to a wild camel for a picture.

In the village of Saré Dao, all women were waiting for us to show their vegetable fields. Their welcome was warm and colorful, in true "Teranga" fashion.

Toubab Dialaw

2008-04-22T10:54:00.003Z

To celebrate Alex’ departure, we rented a house by the beach in Toubab Dialaw.

Out of all the songs, it’s the shortest, simplest, and most politically incorrect one that became the weekend’s anthem! You can listen to it in French in the video above.

Sahel

2008-04-06T16:48:00.002Z

I always thought that Sahel was an absolute desert. Yet, the Senegal River at Mauritania’s border irrigates the land for fertile fields. The great number of ricefields surprised me. The Toucouleur population occupies most of the region and often lives in huts made of straw or mud.

The song I added is called “Sa Ma Nene” by famous Senegalese singer Vivane Ndour.

Ricefields

Straw Huts

Fatou, Mamadou

Orchestra Baobab

2008-04-06T16:19:00.004Z

Another relaxing Saturday night in Dakar ended on the dance floor at “Just 4 U”, with famous band: Orchestra Baobab.

Orchestra Baobab was formed in 1970 and still tours the world. To listen to their songs and for concert dates in Europe and the US, go to http://www.myspace.com/orchestrabaobabofficial.

Julien, Synne, Ismael

Will Alex make the band?

Olivier, Alex

Dakar Surf

2008-04-04T16:23:00.006Z

Alex, a friend of mine in Portugal (http://www.myspace.com/alexandrecaetano), is a surf and bodyboard fanatic (http://www.alexandrecaetano.com/en/index.php?bodyboard).

He asked me to send him a few pictures of waves in Senegal. I went to Almadies in Dakar to find a few surfers. I don’t know if these were the best waves of Senegal, but these surfers seemed to be having a fun time!

Simb (Fake Lion)

2008-03-29T08:47:00.002Z

On Tuesday night, I couldn’t help but follow the music in the street… behind the crowd: Simb was dancing!

Simb (Fake Lion) comes from a Senegalese hunting tradition. When hunters were attacked by lions, healers would organise exorcism rituals with costumes and djembés to stop hunters from adopting lion behaviours.

Today, djembés warn children about the arrival of fake lions in their neighbourhood. As you will see in the videos, this intergenerational show is a lot of fun.

In the above video, children dance with energy to win a box of chocolate.

Above, a young blond Simb tries his shot at a chocolate box. Will his neighbourhood friends clap loud enough for him to win?

Towards the end, children all show Simb how they can dance.

Lompoul Desert

2008-03-19T11:34:00.004Z

I spent 2 days on the sand dunes of Lompoul in a 4x4 to meet cultivators and to see their plots (mostly onions).

I received a lot of information about irrigation techniques, production expenses, and Senegal’s agricultural market.

Onion plots in the desert

A cultivator on his land

First onions of the season

Pick-up truck: useful and fun in the sand

Potou Market (Hidden Camera)

2008-03-19T10:38:00.002Z

In Senegal, street markets are probably the liveliest and most interesting places. In the small town of Potou, street vendors meet on Tuesdays to sell a bit of everything: soaps, tomatoes, underwear, religious pictures, etc.

In the market, people negotiate quickly in a scramble. Taking pictures in this context seemed inappropriate. But I was able to take a picture from afar and to make a hidden camera video at the end of the day, when clients started leaving.

Traditional techniques

2008-03-16T16:46:00.002Z

Traditional techniques are still being used in Senegal for agriculture, fishing, carpentry, sewing, etc.

In the above video, Abdou brings water from a well (5-6 meters deep) in 5 arm strokes, to water one onion square. Men and women in the fields all use this technique. Although it makes for a great video, this technique is not very efficient. With appropriate financing, growers can invest in drop-by-drop irrigation.

Drop-by-drop irrigation places long tubes between onion seeds to allow for better water distribution and staff reduction.

In the video below, Chérif shows us how to fish. One end of the fishing line is stuck under his foot and the other end is being thrown in the air. Children often use this technique to lunch on the beach…

Sine-Saloum

2008-03-13T22:33:00.007Z

Senegal offers incredible views. Unfortunately, I can't seem to turn on my camera fast enough!

Still, I'm posting a few pictures from Sine-Saloum to warm-up my friends from the North...

Sunset behind a baobab

Coconut trees

Quiet village

Saint-Louis

2008-03-12T12:46:00.011Z

I spent 2 days in Saint-Louis, probably the most beautiful city of Senegal. This Colonial capital of Western Africa was built on 3 land strips, connected by two bridges. Its architecture is similar to New-Orleans’ and its many pirogues give it a Venetian feel.

The middle island is particularly charming and attractive for tourists (especially during the jazz festival).

The peninsula that faces the Atlantic Ocean is split in two: a fishing village on the North part and a resort section on the South part.

The city of Saint-Louis was a nice surprise and I’m already planning more visits.

Above: my favorite hotel in Saint-Louis, Le Nabab.

Fishing pirogues

Common transportation by truck

2008-03-12T12:13:00.004Z

Do you find the extra load of merchandise in my video impressive? What about common transportation by truck! I took a few pictures on the road, because I would have never thought of such a transportation mean.

I heard many accident stories (truck crashes, falling children). But these trucks seem to be tolerated by society and by Senegalese police officers.

Mar Lodg

2008-02-26T15:35:00.011Z

I spent 4 relaxing days on Siné-Saloum’s island of Mar Lodg. With this trip, I discovered taxi-brousse, the African countryside, remote villages, and pirogue fishing.

Our new Senegalese friends ensured a high level of Senegalese hospitality with great food, singing, music, dancing, and djembe.

It’s hard to believe that I had my feet in the snow a week ago…

"Home Sweet Home"

Aurélie, Jips, Alex, Bruno, Brigitte, Tamsit, Philippe

Marie-Annick, Marie, FX, Olivier, Mo, Chérif

Marie-Annick and her new friends

A long fishing day on a quiet pirogue

Taxi-brousse: like 8 sardines in an old can

My hat comes from Mali and my pants from Guinée

First days in Dakar

2008-02-26T15:15:00.005Z

Although I am dealing with a solid cultural shock, my first days in Dakar have been going well. CECI reps gave us a warm welcome with an office breakfast and a city tour. Ginette and I are temporarily staying in a large apartment close to the office.

Dakar is very different from Montreal. First, outside the airport, a large group of young boys was waiting for tourists in the hope of sliding their hands in bags or offering to carry our luggage in exchange for a few euros. What a relief when I spotted the CECI representative in the crowd!

Dakar is not as lit as Montreal and streets are fairly dark at night. Sidewalks are often covered with sand and garbage. I even saw a cow eating garbage at a street corner. Street vendors are everywhere and quickly circle cars to sell anything and everything (oranges, phone cards, T-shirts, etc…). Car traffic is very dense and close destinations can take forever to get to.

But Dakar is amazing for the sun, the beach, and its social life. Spending a winter evening watching TV alone doesn’t exist here. Terrasses and soccer fields are always full in the evening and people can’t seem to stop smiling. People in Dakar seem to live chaotic yet happy lives.

The colourful "Cars rapides"

Dakar's central train station

The old Sandaga market

A future meal on our balcony...

Casablanca

2008-02-25T16:56:00.013Z

After a 3-day training at Foreign Affairs’ Intercultural Learning Center and a 2-day Uniterra training, I finally boarded a plane for Senegal with my colleague Ginette.

Our first stop in this Senegalese adventure: 12 hours in Casablanca. Since this was our first trip to Morocco, we decided to go see the imposing Hassan II Mosque and to walk around the Old Medina.

Visiting the Old Medina was a memorable experience. We were the only tourists in this small labyrinth, where children run together, play soccer, women wash their laundry and salespeople expose their products in extremely narrow streets. This popular neighbourhood is vibrant and very few tourists seem to dare enter it. The Old Medina is a must-see in Casablanca for tourists with a respectful attitude.

Hassan II Mosque

The Old Medina

One of many red "Petit Taxi"

Casablanca: modern business city

Vaccines and Malaria

2008-01-15T17:30:00.000Z

After many medical exams (blood test, tuberculosis, urine, X-rays), I received a first set of vaccines (Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Meningitis, Hepatitis A, and Measles/mumps/rubella). The nurse gave me shots in both arms and both legs… and she’s waiting for me for a second round!

Getting a Yellow Fever vaccine is mandatory to enter Senegal. An official vaccine certificate must be issued at least 10 days before entering the territory.

There is no vaccine against Malaria. But 3 antibiotics are recommended: Lariam, Malarone, or Doxycyline.

The 3 of them have side effects. Lariam, which ought to be taken once a week, supposedly causes insomnia, nightmares, and depression. A large number of anti-Lariam activists in Europe and in the US posted horror stories on the Internet, including suicide cases.

Malarone, to be taken once a day, apparently causes digestive problems, but would be the most tolerable one. However, its cost is high: 6$ per day.

Doxycycline is also recommended against Malaria, if taken once a day, but skin becomes very sensitive to sunlight and it may cause inflammation of the oesophagus when taken on an empty stomach.

The doctor also reminded me to only eat boiled, peeled, or cooked food, and gave me a list of things to bring with me: condoms, insect repellent, water purifier, hand sanitizing lotion, mosquito net, needles, and anti-diarrhoea medication.

Apartment in Montreal

2008-01-07T21:24:00.001Z

My trip preparation is underway. I run from one administrative office to the next, to gather various documents. My departure to Senegal seems closer.

I just ran an ad with pictures to sublet my Marquette Street apartment. I will miss Plateau Mont-Royal. I have a comfortable apartment, which I am sad to leave behind. I decided to sell all my furniture, instead of storing it for 18 months, because I am not sure at this stage where this Senegalese adventure will take me next.

For now: a medical visit at the tropical diseases department and a series of vaccines.

December in Montreal

2007-12-30T06:26:00.000Z

It is official: I will work in Senegal! I received the confirmation a few days before Christmas and I decided to take on this African challenge. I must say that warm beaches and permanent sun are solid arguments in this snowy month of December.

The new year will start with medical visits, vaccines, and administrative procedures. I will also have to sell my furniture and sublet my apartment. But I am convinced the adventure is worth it, and I have been reading with great interest my Lonely Planet guides on Senegal & Gambia and on Western Africa.

This first trip to Africa will be very exciting and I promise many pictures on this blog. Also feel free to share with me all travel tips. Be back soon for more information.