Dakar Day #1: Getting Situated in Senegal’s Capital

April 12, 2019

DAKAR, Senegal – Had a delicious lunch and headed out for some groceries and a brief look around during my first day in Senegal’s capital, but otherwise took it easy and took care of a bunch of tasks. I’ll begin sightseeing in earnest tomorrow.

Got up at 11 a.m. Watched TiVo on my phone. Gawd it sucks to be hungry and not have any food. Today was a day to relax, get situated, and make sightseeing plans. I was still sleepy after arriving late last night from Barcelona, Spain, via Lisbon, Portugal. I came to Senegal after finishing a 17-night Caribbean and trans-Atlantic cruise aboard Costa Pacifica.

I just wanted to rest a bit longer and watch some more TiVo, but knew I’d have to get up soon to get some food.

Went downstairs to the Hotel du Plateau restaurant, where I enjoyed a three-course lunch for CFA 14,000 ($24.15). Ouch, pricey. But my first meal in Senegal was delicious. Ate a salad with some crunchy spring-roll-like things, rice with fish and vegetables, and an amazing chocolate ice-cream cake.

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Went back to my room, noting for maintenance that the refrigerator doesn’t work and the safe is locked shut. Then I had to venture out for water and some snacks. Walked about a mile past seemingly every type of store except groceries, finally locating a mini-mart just a block from my hotel (the opposite direction from the way I started walking).

Oh well. Got some exercise and a sneak peek at Senegal’s capital. I plan to begin sightseeing tomorrow.

Returned to my room at 3:47 p.m. My ridge was replaced and the safe unlocked. Then set to work on numerous tasks: posted and organized recent photos, and took care of to-do items on calendar.

Ate snacks for dinner. Started feeling tired early at 8:26. Copied photos to my laptop, got ready for bed, and watched an episode of “NCIS” before bed at 10:10 p.m.

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