Two ‘only in Senegal’ moments from the opening days of my parents’ visit:
1.
We are going to an artists’ workshop at the edge of the city (Le Village Des Arts). I hail a cab and ask him if he knows the place. He nods gruffly, not looking me in the eye, so I ask again. He insists he knows. I negotiate the price, the three of us get into his cab, and he begins to drive. And drive. And drive. Suddenly I see us approaching the Dakar airport.
“We’re not going to the airport,” I tell him.
“asdkflasdklbadfrenchbadfrenchmixedwithwolof le village badfrenchbadfrench?” he says to me.
“You know where it is, right? You said you knew it.”
“badfrenchadsgklaklbadfrench,” he responds. Then he pulls over on the side of the road, asks a random man where to go, takes his directions, and drives us to our destination.
The good news is, the 45 minute ride gave us a scenic tour of the city and only cost $4. Only in Senegal.
2.
My dad, my step-mom, and I go to a Thai restaurant for dinner. We order a bottle of wine and when the man brings it to us, I announce to him that we are ready to order.
Him: You can’t order now.
Me: Why not?
Him: Your server is eating dinner right now.
Me: Can you just take our order?
Him: No, I’m just the barman. I only bring the drinks.
Me: Okay…well, when will our server be back?
Him: Soon.
Me: In how long?
Him: He’s just eating now. He’ll be back soon.
Me: …
Only in Senegal.
