Dakar...Not Much to Say

Well Dakar was...well for lack of a better expression it just was. Same thing most big cities have...lots of problems. The city wasn't without Talibes, Baye Fall's, hookers, schemers, pan handlers, hawkers, etc. etc. Everyone is trying to get something out of you. There is no two ways about that...

Which lead me to a realization. I have just an overwhelming distrust for people now; well most people. It may seem sad, but I guarentee I wouldn't have lasted this long without her street savvy. I would be walking around clothesless at this point. There are few genuine people in this world I know. I probably could say I only know a handful (I surely am not one of them either). But at least back home if someone was not genuine they wouldn't be eyeing you up to see what they could get out of you. It is quite different here...maybe that's for the better though. If people here didn't have the mentality of eat or get eaten; this part of the World would still be under colonial rule. Without a doubt. Also, I can't say it has to do with the religious aspect that begging is kind of condoned. This is because other parts of the world have the same issues. It isn't laziness in my opnion either. It really has to do with fact that as much as all these kids do is dream of going to a school...survival is way more important. Also seeing how the average life expectancy is in 50's, you don't really have time to waste in school. At the end of the day, an education isn't gonna help you when you are 6 foot under...

We had two robbin' hoods with banter while we were in Dakar. The scheme was they would try to sell you this stuff as you were walking. Very nice, the usual Teranga stuff. One would then grab your pant leg and vigariously shake your leg. While the other would attempt to go into your pocket. Any loose bills or change would fall out and you would be non the wiser. Salif had some super pants with zip pockets. Didn't work on him. However, I had regular shorts on and when the banter continued and they came over to me they were able to get my mobile out! This Toubab however wasn't born yesterday and I looked to both of them and said my phone. One guy hands it over and was yeah it fell out. RIGHT RIGHT. I thanked him and told them both it was a neat trick. They were pretty nice guys.

I'm starting my wind down here. Vacation is close to being over and then only a week and a half till I leave for home...

Song of the Moment: I Want You Back - Discovery

Toubab Shout Out: TO MY POPS FOR GETTING EVERYTHING TAKEN CARE OF WITH THE FLIGHT...YOU ARE THE MAN

PS: I am in Cap Skiring (one of the nicest beaches in West Africa) we enjoyed a fresh mango yesterday and fresh Crab right off the beach caught two minutes earlier...HAHAHA...my life