Dakar, and Gorre Island

My friend Chris offered to show me around Dakar for a day, to show me what the Paris of Africa is like. We went to Gorre Island, a small island off the coast of Dakar that was used as a hub during the slave trade. The island is covered with old French architecture, brightly colored buildings that the people of Gorre and Dakar are working to preserve as historical sites. There are several museums and monuments to the slave trade and the slaves.
We visited one museum housed in the former prison, and another in the former auction house. The rooms were preserved as they had been during the slave trade, with rooms for men, women, and children. It was amazing and heartbreaking to tour the buildings. Chris suggested we employ a local guide, and he explained the history and function of the slave house.
The island also has several art galleries, craft markets and wandering drummers and entertainers catering to the tourist that come from Senegal, West Africa, Europe and America.

Back to Africa

All good things must come to an end, and on Aug 1st I began my journey back to Africa.
But I missed my original flight, so I got rerouted to Salt Lake City, and Paris, and finally Dakar.
You would think there’d be a good story in there, but there’s not. I was tired. I spent most of the time sleeping or trying to sleep. I didn’t make friends with anyone. I just tried to get back. All this travel experience will be great when Tyler and I are on Amazing Race in a few years though!
(Pics are of the very modern CDG Airport in Paris, where I slept during my layover. Neat construction though!)