My stay in Senegal 2011

University of Dakar

Welcome to the University of Dakar!
Welcome to the University of Dakar! 		People here take good care of me. This is where I live.
People here take good care of me. This is where I live. 		This is where the students live.
This is where the students live.
Local climate allows for an open architecture.
Local climate allows for an open architecture. 		This is my class on Information Extraction. <small>(Available only in low resolution for reasons of privacy. It is still pretty obvious which one is me.)</small>
This is my class on Information Extraction. (Available only in low resolution for reasons of privacy. It is still pretty obvious which one is me.) 		This is the new library.
This is the new library.
It comes with brand new computers, books, and instructions how to use them.
It comes with brand new computers, books, and instructions how to use them.

Old City Center

This is the grand Mosque of the city (with local shops).
This is the grand Mosque of the city (with local shops). 		Not everybody can afford a stone house.
Not everybody can afford a stone house. 		Some people live in barracks.
Some people live in barracks.
Dakar was heavily hit in World War 2 (or so it seems). This is next to the mosque.
Dakar was heavily hit in World War 2 (or so it seems). This is next to the mosque. 		Other streets look better.
Other streets look better. 		Local (noisy) conflict resolution procedures (of which I saw two) are rather scary.
Local (noisy) conflict resolution procedures (of which I saw two) are rather scary.

City Center

Streets are in better condition in the city center.
Streets are in better condition in the city center. 		The Independence Place, the heart of Dakar.
The Independence Place, the heart of Dakar. 		The Presidential Palace.
The Presidential Palace.
Local traffic can be confusing for foreigners.
Local traffic can be confusing for foreigners. 		The center has still maintained its pittoresque corners.
The center has still maintained its pittoresque corners.

West Coast

Dakar is the western-most part of Africa.
Dakar is the western-most part of Africa. 		These are probably the better-off parts of the city.
These are probably the better-off parts of the city. 		The Monument of African Renaissance. By an architect from North Korea.
The Monument of African Renaissance. By an architect from North Korea.
A traffic jam. Note that no car would be allowed on the streets in Europe (which is probably why they're here).
A traffic jam. Note that no car would be allowed on the streets in Europe (which is probably why they're here). 		Sun set at the ocean.
Sun set at the ocean.

Shopping

For shopping, you can use the local facilities.
For shopping, you can use the local facilities. 		Dakar also sports a brand-new shopping mall. The TV in the picture costs what a student scholarship earns in two years.
Dakar also sports a brand-new shopping mall. The TV in the picture costs what a student scholarship earns in two years. 		In the local supermarket, nearly all products are European. Prices are like in Europe, too (+ shipping).
In the local supermarket, nearly all products are European. Prices are like in Europe, too (+ shipping).
Every Franc spent on this milk goes directly to Greece (it is German milk).
Every Franc spent on this milk goes directly to Greece (it is German milk). 		The cheapest supermarket is actually entirely French.
The cheapest supermarket is actually entirely French.

Île de Gorée

Welcome to Gorée! The island is right off the coast of Dakar.
Welcome to Gorée! The island is right off the coast of Dakar. 		The Museum of History is well worth the visit (especially for the price of 0.80 EUR). Note the clothes drying on the cactus left.
The Museum of History is well worth the visit (especially for the price of 0.80 EUR). Note the clothes drying on the cactus left. 		The Gorée Island was used for the slave trade across the Atlantic. This is the Maison d'esclaves.
The Gorée Island was used for the slave trade across the Atlantic. This is the "Maison d'esclaves".
The island has a colonial-style church...
The island has a colonial-style church... 		...but also some newer buildings. People on the island sell exclusively necklaces, and complain that too few tourists buy them. Nobody sells sunscreen, water, postcards, or maps of the island instead.
...but also some newer buildings. People on the island sell exclusively necklaces, and complain that too few tourists buy them. Nobody sells sunscreen, water, postcards, or maps of the island instead. 		Basically all streets are beautiful and calm like this one.
Basically all streets are beautiful and calm like this one.

Les Almadies

This is the Point des Almadies, the western-most tip of the continent of Africa.
This is the Point des Almadies, the western-most tip of the continent of Africa. 		Apart from a 5-star hotel, the place has still potential for touristic development.
Apart from a 5-star hotel, the place has still potential for touristic development. 		Me at the tip. People tell me a lot about the Senegalese hospitality.
Me at the tip. People tell me a lot about the "Senegalese hospitality".
Yet, in the end, every single person who talked to me in the street (and said they just wanted a chat, or even offered gifts), just wanted money. I refuse.
Yet, in the end, every single person who talked to me in the street (and said they just wanted a chat, or even offered gifts), just wanted money. I refuse. 		In contrast, the people I asked for directions were without exception extremely helpful and friendly. Without them, I would never have known which bus to take.
In contrast, the people I asked for directions were without exception extremely helpful and friendly. Without them, I would never have known which bus to take. 		The bus broke down on the way, and in the end I spent as much time going back by bus as I spent walking there (2 hours). But it was OK for the price (0.20 EUR).
The bus broke down on the way, and in the end I spent as much time going back by bus as I spent walking there (2 hours). But it was OK for the price (0.20 EUR).

Île de Gorée revisited

This is still the Goree Island. I want to visit again with a plan in mind.
This is still the Goree Island. I want to visit again with a plan in mind. 		I bought sunscreen and postcards, to propose to shopkeepers to sell these in addition to necklaces.
I bought sunscreen and postcards, to propose to shopkeepers to sell these in addition to necklaces. 		I also drew a map of the island and printed it 20 times. A copy costs 0.02 EUR to produce, but could be sold for 1 EUR.
I also drew a map of the island and printed it 20 times. A copy costs 0.02 EUR to produce, but could be sold for 1 EUR.
The project dies at birth: The hotel receptionist (who worked at Goree) says that necklaces sell great. The sellers probably lied to me when they said they suffer. The map business is controlled by a mafia-like organization. Too dangerous to mess with.
The project dies at birth: The hotel receptionist (who worked at Goree) says that necklaces sell great. The sellers probably lied to me when they said they suffer. The map business is controlled by a mafia-like organization. Too dangerous to mess with. 		I put the map <a href=goree/index.html>online</a> and let them sort out their problems on their own.
I put the map online and let them sort out their problems on their own.

École Supérieure Polytechnique

I am teaching this week at the École Supérieure Polytechnique of Dakar.
I am teaching this week at the École Supérieure Polytechnique of Dakar. 		I am having a great time with the students. <small>(Available only in low resolution for reasons of privacy)</small>
I am having a great time with the students. (Available only in low resolution for reasons of privacy) 		People have even drawn me a summary of the class. <small>(Available only in low resolution because of unclear rights on the picture. It's a handdrawn portrait of Elvis Presley and looks stunning in reality.)</small>
People have even drawn me a summary of the class. (Available only in low resolution because of unclear rights on the picture. It's a handdrawn portrait of Elvis Presley and looks stunning in reality.)

Saint Louis

Saint Louis is known for its colonial style houses.
Saint Louis is known for its colonial style houses. 		Yet, their beauty fades quickly if put in context <small>(same place, zoomed out)</small>.
Yet, their beauty fades quickly if put in context (same place, zoomed out). 		In the entire city, the modern face of the city has successfully superseded the colonial style.
In the entire city, the modern face of the city has successfully superseded the colonial style.
Also the river has not been spared.
Also the river has not been spared. 		The beach offers the same olfactory experience as the entire city.
The beach offers the same olfactory experience as the entire city. 		But people seem to be OK with it.
But people seem to be OK with it.
At least, the suburbs are not disadvantaged with respect to the city center.
At least, the suburbs are not disadvantaged with respect to the city center.

Gaston Berger University

I am staying in a small village called Ngalel.
I am staying in a small village called Ngalel. 		The local butcher wanted to be on the picture and asked me to put it on the Internet. He even put his white coat (for the hygiene!).
The local butcher wanted to be on the picture and asked me to put it on the Internet. He even put his white coat (for the hygiene!). 		The campus of the university is rather rural.
The campus of the university is rather rural.
And, yes, I also work here.<br><small>(available only in low resolution for reasons of privacy)</small>
And, yes, I also work here.
(available only in low resolution for reasons of privacy)

Flora, Founa, and Environment

The local flora ranges from more desert-like...
The local flora ranges from more desert-like... 		... to more steppe-like environments.
... to more steppe-like environments. 		Local fauna reaches impressive sizes. This is a cockroach [eine Kakerlake].
Local fauna reaches impressive sizes. This is a cockroach [eine Kakerlake].
Local architecture ranges from more environmentally friendly...
Local architecture ranges from more environmentally friendly... 		... to more modern.
... to more modern. 		The entire countryside is full of buildings in various stages of completion.
The entire countryside is full of buildings in various stages of completion.
The main streets are generally in good condition.
The main streets are generally in good condition.

Food

People ask me what I eat here. This is the Senegalese national dish (fish + rice, 3 EUR).
People ask me what I eat here. This is the Senegalese national dish (fish + rice, 3 EUR). 		This is a more rustical variant. The fish is transferred directly from the sea to the grill with not too many intermediate steps (3 EUR).
This is a more rustical variant. The fish is transferred directly from the sea to the grill with not too many intermediate steps (3 EUR). 		This is food at the subsidised student restaurant (0.25 EUR)
This is food at the subsidised student restaurant (0.25 EUR)
4.50 EUR get you chicken with fries and sauces so hot that a spoon load will kill you instantly.
4.50 EUR get you chicken with fries and sauces so hot that a spoon load will kill you instantly. 		This is the best you can get in the village. Costs like 2 EUR and tastes like 1 EUR.
This is the best you can get in the village. Costs like 2 EUR and tastes like 1 EUR. 		Magret de Canard. Costs 14 EUR and tastes like 14 EUR.<br> <small>(OK, you got me, I am back in Paris)</small>
Magret de Canard. Costs 14 EUR and tastes like 14 EUR.
(OK, you got me, I am back in Paris)

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