Well, while being in Dakar has been lovely (and expensive), the eco-T conference which ended today was a bust. Beyond the introductory speeches on Thursday, none of the trainings/workshops materialized and the traffic through the expo was limited. At any point, there were up to 11 volunteers sitting around the Peace Corps stand with our counterparts looking very bored. There was some good networking, but the lack of organization around the training hardly merited a 3 day conference. Wah-wah-wah.
The "after-hours" part of this trip has been fun, though. Yesterday, after 6 hours at the Hotel de Ville, I took off with PCVs Byron, Cail and Alex on an unofficial walking tour of the city. We started with ice cream and ended with a happy hour many hours later; passed through slums and luxury hotels; saw the President's mansion, the Assemblee Nationale, the Palais de Justice and two of Dakar's islands from afar. Exhausting? Yes. But it was also amazing to get to know the city just a little bit more and move a step away from being terrified of it.
So, now I'll spend another day or two here in Dakar before heading back to my site. Until then I'm going to enjoy this delicious feeling of not really being in the Peace Corps for a few more days...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
So, here's your chance to demonstrate your leadership and organizational skills!!!
ReplyDeleteSend a detailed email to PCV-Senegal big cheese outlining how the conference could be improved the next time y'all gather.
Of course, there's always the risk that you'll be assigned as the conference organizer!?
Aba
I think starting a walking tour with ice cream was the perfect thing to do - of course, you know how I feel about ice cream...
ReplyDeleteSo glad you toured the city. Now I can hire you as a guide when I'm on the Continent. A perfect start for eco-T volunteer!
ReplyDeleteHave a safe journey back, neshikot & lots of love.
I love you.
ReplyDeleteEven though the conference was slow it sounds like you enjoyed your time in Dakar. It is great to get refreshed before you head back to your sight!
ReplyDelete