Dakar Day #2: Slept 17½ Hours But Managed to Get Out to Begin Exploring the Capital

April 13, 2019

DAKAR, Senegal – I was hobbled by my sleep disorder during my second day in Senegal’s capital, sleeping nearly 18 hours. But despite feeling terrible, I dragged myself out of the hotel for a nice 5½-mile walk, seeing a good deal in just a couple hours.

Got up at 3:33 p.m. after 17½ hours in bed. Ugh, I felt awful. So much for getting out to sightsee today. This already feels like a lost/wasted day.

Ate a snack and watched “NCIS.” The power in my room at Hotel du Plateau went out at 4:20 (this happened a few times when I was sleeping as well). Came back on for a bit, then went out again. Must be cycling between the power grid and a generator I surmise. I was trying to send some e-mails about arranging tours during my remaining days here in Senegal, which is frustrating with the electricity (and thus WiFi) frequently going out.

Put that stuff aside at 5:26, determined to head out for a walk and a bit of sightseeing with the remaining daylight today. I felt anxious having slept so long and with my tour plans not finished.

Set out at 5:40 for a 5½-mile walk around central and southern Dakar.

First I walked half an hour (1.65 miles) south to Cap Manuel, the southernmost point of Dakar, passing a dirt bus turn-around lot.

Cap Manuel overlooks Goree Island, famous as the last African stop for many slaves loaded onto ships for transport to the Americas.

I looped around Cap Manuel and begin heading north to the city center.

Independence Square in downtown Dakar is the heart of the city.

Sadly the square is shabby. No flags on the poles, no grass, crumbling sidewalks, nonoperating fountain, and — most significantly and strangely — no monument to Senegal’s independence.

I continued past City Hall, the (nonoperational) train station (although there is a new regional railroad under construction), and a museum.

Reached the Grand National Theater.

Then turned around to return about a mile to my hotel via the commercial chaos of Avenue du President Lamine Gueye.

Back in my hotel room at 7:50 after picking up fast food for dinner from Planet Kebab. It felt good to get out and start exploring Senegal’s capital. You can really see a lot in a couple hours! Ate dinner, watched “NCIS,” and sent more e-mails about Senegal tours. I received a quote of $1,117 for a great-sounding four-day tour. Ouch! Way beyond my budget.

Begin sorting and posting today’s pictures. Then was elated to book (through a Germany travel agency) a nonstop flight April 25 from Banjul, The Gambia, (BJL) to Munich, Germany, (MUC) on Turkish charter company Corendon Airlines for only $194! Fantastic deal! I’ll be meeting Mom in Munich to take a seven-night Danube River cruise from Germany to Hungary.

Got ready for bed, then continued travel planning. Booked my hotels for Saint-Louis, Senegal, and for when I return here to Dakar. Wrote e-mails about Gambia tours, then finished uploading today’s photos. Was disappointed to find this hotel is sold out April 17-19, so I had to book another one.

The power went out a couple more times as I tried to finish the hotel reservations. Really frustrating trying to get tasks accomplished online and having the electricity cycle on and off.

Watched some more of “NCIS” before bed at 1:20 a.m.