First day at work

Arrived in Dakar in the wee hours of Saturday after about 8 hr flight from Washington, DC. El Hadji was waiting for me just outside the baggage claim area with his friend. I was welcomed by the hot and humid Dakar as soon as I stepped out side the airport building. El Hadji had secured a nice one bedroom apartment for me. We drove straight to my apartment and checked in. My apartment is on the forth floor. There are no elevator so we took steps to my apartment. Not too bad. I kind of like it for my cardio health.

In the afternoon, El Hadji picked me up and we went to Dakar downtown. It's absolutely empty. Barely a car or two. El Hadji explains that it is a religious holiday so people are enjoying the day with their families. He asked me to enjoy this once-a-year time when the downtown streets ate so empty. After taking some pictures, we went to a nice restaurant in the heart of downtown for my first lunch in Senegal. I ordered vegetarian Chinese noodles and blended juice for a drink. The food was very delicious. I loved every bite of it. 

After lunch, we drove straight to El Hadji's residence in the suburb of Guediawaye and met with his family. After a brief introduction we walked to the meeting site. A large number of volunteers and local residents were waiting for us. We received an enthusiastic and hearty welcome by the gathered residents and volunteers. Everyone was exited to see me there. They see it a sign of hope that things will change. The meeting went for almost hour and a half. Senegalese tea was served. It tastes very different from the black or green tea. Some sweet spicy taste. At the meeting all communication was in French. El Hadji had arranged an interpreter who translated everything in English for me. But you don't need any interpreter to understand the language of love, friendship and hospitality. Senegalese hospitality was on display. 

After the meeting, more introductions and then El Hadji took me to a Pizza place. I ordered a veggie pizza. I was very delicious. I might go back and try it one more time before I return to the US. Now enjoy some pictures from my downtown trip and the meeting on Saturday.