Well it’s taken me long enough to finally make a first post from Dakar. Things have been pretty hectic, but I realize I have probably already disuaded my potential blog audience of about 5 people from checking back but let me begin.

For those who didn’t already know, I just started a 3 1/2 month stint with the Geek Corps where I will be working with the Digital Freedom Initiative (DFI) a USAID/Government of Senegal collaborative whose goal is to improve local small and medium enterprises (SME) through technology. Dakar is the capital of Senegal a country in western Africa. Dakar also is the place where I spent most of my formative years from age (7-15ish) growing up. So in many ways this is a homecoming of sorts.

First Impressions
I got into dark at about 8:00PM after about 24 hours of travel (Chicago –> Paris (8 hour layover) –> Dakar). At the airport (where nothing apparent has changed in 13 years accept for some new xtray machines), I was picked up by some of the DFI staff and one of my new roomates Raffaelle an Italian who had already been in Dakar now for about 2 months.

While it was dark in the ride to my house, I could tell that Dakar had definetly changed. First, the level of construction homes that have been built is staggering — what had been open space is now filled. On the other hand, the decay is also noticable but jives with the old African proverb, “Instead of maintaining what you got, just build something new”. Another major shock was that globalism was in full effect in that there was a fast food joint (complete with Mountain Dew) just down the street of where I lived.

Le residence de DFI is quite nice. I live in a communal apartment and a nice bathroom with working hot water, alhumdulilah! Better yet, we have a dedicated 256K connection with a wifi (albeit having to deal with a jacked wireless router) which makes all the difference in the world. I also live above the DFI offices where I do most of my work which means I’ll be spending less time commuting on Car Rapides to my parent’s great pleasure.

Les Mamelles Light House

First couple of days
My first couple of days in Dakar have consisted primarily of:

1. Being amazed by the dust - Dakar sits on the fringe of the Sahel, which is basically the last bastion of plant life before the rapidly advancing Sahara. Due to rapid deforestation and shifting weather trends, the level of desertification and dust has increased noticably from when I left. The dust is amazing here and will probably require dedicated future posting to truly understand how the little orange powder coats everything.
2. Figuring out what to eat - My first couple of days, I think I have survived on french bread, peanuts, coke and Gazelle the original version of the African 40oz. Most I purchase (accept for the beer) from the boutique on the corner from Abdou Diallo a young Guinean who works and lives in his family’s shop everday from 6am to about midnight. Remind me never to bitch about work

 
Zidane inspired pirogue

Sandaga market where I will be working

View more Dakar Pictures »

Just a quick note to say I made it in safely. Dakar (from what I can tell) has grown tremendously. I’m out in a new area in the village of Yoff that didn’t exist when I was here as a kid. Anyways, I need to force myself to go back to bed to beat this jet lag. I hope to explore Dakar tommorow and will post some pics.

Here’s the start of my personal blog, which I will use to primarly share my trip to Dakar, Senegal with my friends and family.

Please check back for future updates.