Gorée

Whereas yesterday I was enthusiastic and relieved, today, as I write, I find myself frustrated, angry, and quite impotent. Sometimes, I can look past the fact that this is a third world country, one with gaping problems everywhere one turns. But as I lie here in my oppressively humid room, after using a bucket full of water to clean myself, I am reminded that I am very much a stranger in a strange land. I sound angry, frustrated, annoyed, and that is because I very much am. However, this sour turn in my feelings has taken place in the past half hour. So as I write I must try to tell things as they are, and not cast my dark, moody light on everything. I am in a bad mood right now, but all in all, today was a very good day.

A map of the island

We woke up at 8:00, took our Malaria pills, I showered, we got dressed, and we headed downstairs, where we had our usual baguette with jam. After our breakfast, we found a taxi and headed towards the ferry. After being cheated out of 500 CFA, we got our ticket for the ferry to Gorée Island. We had a pleasant ferry ride. We chatted with one of the locals, who told us to come to her stand when we arrived. A main theme of this whole trip to the island, and to Dakar in general, is that one constantly gets the (largely accurate) idea that they are constantly being cheated. 

Our ferry shortly after we arrived

The beach near the wharf

When we arrived, we walked towards the higher part of the island (the south side), where we found WWII era guns. We were also pulled into the studio of a Senegalese sand artist. He makes images with glue, and then sprinkles on multicolored glue (supposedly from different deserts and beaches all over the area), so as to create sand art. He was very nice, a rare trait on this island. The view of Dakar was amazing, and there was a very pleasant sea breeze. 

Path to the top of the island

A Cordia sebestena

Religious murals

A view of the island from the top of the hill

This cannon was enormous and falling apart

He made this in front of us, using sand and baobab glue

The island had a large number of baobabs, and so seedlings were on sale all over the island

A view of the ocean

We descended, stopping occasionally at stores to see the things. The weather was lovely, and the people were very aware that we were rich American tourists, so we were frequently stopped. The people were less polite here, so getting away was more of a challenge. We saw more of the island, and then headed towards the castle. 

The houses were very colourful, colonial style.

A cliff by the mosque

We finally arrived at the castle, where we visited the museum. It was interesting, although tAfhe signs were very outdated. After an amazing lunch, we headed towards the slave house, where slaves were kept before their transatlantic journey. It was very interesting and very thought-provoking.

The castle

A path inside the slave house leading to the sea.

After visiting the slave house, we left the island. We walked around Dakar for a bit and ultimately took the bus home. We had a terrible dinner at a terrible restaurant. 

Today was a good day with a bad end. I'm very tired. Tomorrow, I meet my host family.