Dakar seems to have more signs of poverty than Arusha. We walked by an area littered with human feces, and on almost every other street, there is a barefooted beggar sleeping on the ground.
Unlike in Arusha, Dakar's history of colonization has left a conspicuous mark. Long, French style baguettes are sold from carts every morning, and the restaurant scene uses butter, butter, and more butter. Everything I order is soaked in butter (and delicious). The food is very fresh, and so far I haven't had a meal that I did not enjoy. Actually, the food is amazing.
In the city, most people speak both French and Wolof, and use a mixture of both languages when they speak to each other.
In the city, most people speak both French and Wolof, and use a mixture of both languages when they speak to each other.
Yesterday, we visited the only children's oncology ward in all of Senegal, at Le Dantec Hospital. WHO estimates that there are about 600-800 new cases of cancer in children each year in Senegal. However, Le Dantec only gets about 120 new patients each year. That means hundreds of children with cancer are left without any sort of medical treatment. They're so small and so thin, walking around with needles in their arms, or curled up in the waiting room looking exhausted. Others actually appear to have good energy, and are smiling and playing, showing off their trinkets and toys. I find my work very interesting, but also emotionally draining.
Today, I spent most of my time speaking in French. I'm always pleasantly surprised at how much easier a language comes to you when you are completely surrounded by it. It's also helpful that the people here speak very clearly. We went to the Almadies today, which is at the most western point in all of West Africa. There, the streets are clean, well maintained, and have fewer indications of the difficult lifestyles that most Senegalese have to live. As expected, it seems most of the expats live in that area too (or at least, that's where I saw the most expats). The new American Embassy is there and it's enormous, with shiny lettering. There's also a very Soviet/Maoist monument with a man holding a child who is pointing up towards the sky, with a woman behind him, poised like they're about to make an epic climb.
Note however, these are just my first impressions. I haven't had a lot of time to see the city since we usually have meetings all day (and into the evening).
Today, I spent most of my time speaking in French. I'm always pleasantly surprised at how much easier a language comes to you when you are completely surrounded by it. It's also helpful that the people here speak very clearly. We went to the Almadies today, which is at the most western point in all of West Africa. There, the streets are clean, well maintained, and have fewer indications of the difficult lifestyles that most Senegalese have to live. As expected, it seems most of the expats live in that area too (or at least, that's where I saw the most expats). The new American Embassy is there and it's enormous, with shiny lettering. There's also a very Soviet/Maoist monument with a man holding a child who is pointing up towards the sky, with a woman behind him, poised like they're about to make an epic climb.
Note however, these are just my first impressions. I haven't had a lot of time to see the city since we usually have meetings all day (and into the evening).
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