Senegal.

Today we were in Dakar, Senegal.

It was a very eye-opening, interesting and wonderful day. Visiting a country that has such wide spread poverty can really take your breath away. It was extremely difficult choosing an image to represent it fully, and in the end I've just gone for the image that I liked better than the rest.

We drove through Dakar and onto the outskirts of the Sahara Desert. Passing through little villages and towns, that barely had a roof on the decaying buildings, never mind electricity or running water. Transferring to an open top truck, to then hammer through the sand dunes, on a small part of the infamous Paris-Dakar rally Course. It was just crazy, we were bobbing and weaving around in the back and being thrown all over the place. It was great. On the way we did stop at a tiny little village where I don't think they've even heard of electricity. We mingled amongst the kids who came to meet us, and followed our every move. It was heart-breaking and special all at the same time. To see people still living like this, in tiny little shacks, where the only source of water is the local well. Yet did you hear anyone complain, getting frustrated or angry. Not once. The kids were full of smiles and cuddles, and you couldn't help but smile and laugh with them. I guess in the end, this is how they live, and they don't really know any different. So feeling sorry for them, isn't going to help anybody really. We handed out candy and fruit that we brought along, and a few dollars here and there. Nothing life changing but it felt good to see them smile and say thankyou. Don't get me wrong, there was no begging going on and it felt sad to say goodbye after what was always going to be too short a stay.
After a few more ups and downs over the dunes we stopped at the Pink Lake, which has such a high salt content, that day and night, there are literally hundreds of people just grabbing it right out of there and storing it for sale. Quite an eyeful to see all that salt just coming right out the water. This is where the picture was taken.

In reflection, I found the Senegalese people a hard working, humorous and kind people, who rather than complain and sit on there ass, will get out there and get things done for themselves. A lot of these lazy ass people in big, rich, powerful countries should take note from these humble people.

Before too long we were on our way back to the ship and with memories that will last me a lifetime!!!!!