Canada Basketball and COC Crew!
Exploring Goree Island with new friends!
I am so thankful for the experience I had in Dakar, Senegal. Every person I met and interacted with was lovely. I felt like I was welcomed into a big family and I will be forever grateful for the kindness shown to me. Big shout out to Astou, Mactar, and Bounama for helping me experience a part of their beautiful country and teaching me a bit about their history.
I took a day trip to learn some of the sobering history of the African slave trade. I appreciated the way Colonel, our tour guide of the island, said this, “It's important to remember that the people of Africa were not slaves, they were enslaved.” They experienced the unimaginable—enslavement, separated families, taken lives. I learned that Goree Island was essentially a holding place for many of the enslaved before they left the continent of Africa for good. As I entered the slave “houses,” I immediately felt a sense of depression, and stepping through what they called, “the door of no return” ... I don’t have the words. Despite their history, Africans are some of the most resilient, creative, loving, and resourceful people you will ever come across.
On a brighter note, the artist in me felt like a kid in a candy store, as I was surround by many wonderful works of art. I was particularly in awe of one gentleman who created beautiful pieces using sand as his medium. He would draw a picture on wood using glue, and then applied different coloured sand that he had acquired from all over Africa. Check out the video below to see the incredible final product!
On my morning runs (thanks for the company Andrew!), I would see many athletes out and about. Some were running along the sidewalk like myself, others along the shore in the sand. They made use of the resources they had, doing push-ups on steps and core work in the sand. They also had outdoor gyms where you could do pull-ups, leg press, leg swings, squats, elliptical work, and more. All of these exercise stations were set up along the water. With views like that, who wouldn’t look forward to working out every morning?!
Just taking in the moment.
Some other highlights included enjoying the shade of a Baobab tree, which is over 400 years old. I also drank juice made from its fruit, and ate Yassa fish—highly recommend! Finally, I climbed 214 steps to the top of the African Renaissance Monument, where it felt like I could see the entire city.
Although my visit to Dakar was short, the time I spent there was immensely impactful and utterly unforgettable. Dakar, thank you for allowing me to give back to the community, while simultaneously letting me grow as an individual. Thank you for teaching me about your rich history. Thank you for the sweet sun that warmed my skin each day. Dakar, although you were my first visit to the continent of Africa, you won’t be my last. I will be back!
Have you been to the continent of Africa? What country had a lasting impact on you?
Thanks for stopping by and God bless!
K.
Kindly edited by Cara T.