This is an older post that I drafted about 10 years ago….for some reason I never published it and now reading back, I still feel its worth mentioning, even if we have passed Ebola and Covid since. Do your homework but don’t be afraid to go see the world. I have only seen what I’ve seen so far but its a big amazing world and there is adventure around every corner.

My time in Africa has been quite an experience, an eye-opener for me.  I’ve often said to those asking about Senegal that it might not be a place where you would randomly choose to go and spend part of your life,  but if you did, maybe you would understand why I have made it home for part of each year. My first desire to visit Senegal came after seeing the daily life that walked in and out of a small barber shop in the inner city in an area called Thiaroye.  Far far from the life I knew here in Canada, I watched as people greeted each, shook hands, drank tea, talked excitedly about the soccer matches in Europe, and spoke in their native language of Wolof.  I didn’t understand much of the conversations (and honestly, still don’t) which often sounded so foreign that you might think it was just some nonsense garble.  Through the wonderful invention of Skype, I was able to watch the busy streets outside as cars, rapid-cars, (colorful transit buses that are meant to hold about 10 people, but which usually hold closer to 40) horses, sheep, goats, bikes, motorcycles and the most amazing people in beautifully colored clothing pass by.  I could ask freely about all I was curious about and get an in depth answer and understanding, on a level that you can get through an internet connection anyway.  I saw a much different Africa from what had been portrayed in the Media.  It made me think of a time when I was traveling in Europe with my family.  Riots had broken out in the streets in Paris and my family back home had seen the news reports and had tried desperately to contact us for a couple of days days.  When they finally made contact, I was surprised at their concern. We knew nothing of the riots that were going on and had been traveling about, sightseeing and visiting historical landmarks.  Having traveled a fair amount, seeing occasional army personnel walking around with machine guns didn’t have me too alarmed.  When I did return to my hotel, I made a point to watch what was being reported back home.  It should have sent us scurrying for the airport and getting the first flight out of there!  We all know that bad news sells and, although it is a good idea to be informed and do your homework, you also have to keep this in mind.  The Ebola situation in West Africa delayed my travels back to Senegal earlier this year. Not to downplay the devastation it cause in the nearby countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, to watch the news back in October-December 2014, you would have thought that anyone traveling to anywhere in West Africa at that time must have had a death wish.  Although I had an insiders account of the situation, travel insurance, warnings on the embassy sites and the concern of my family and friends had me waiting out the media storm until it had settled enough to ease the minds of all of those I just mentioned.  I’m not going to be naive and say that traveling to Africa is completely safe.  It’s like anywhere.  If you are in the wrong place at the wrong time, or if you want to make yourself a target, or if by sheer bad luck you get yourself in a bad situation, there can be trouble.  I can say the same about any place here in Canada as well, or anywhere for that matter. If you are thinking about , or have ever wanted to go, I’d encourage you to take that step.  Go see a different part of life, a more simple way of life, a life rich in customs and traditions and family life.  If you have an adventurous spirit, you wont be disappointed.  Son of Africa will be offering Volunteer opportunities somewhere down the road and it will be a great way to experience Africa. Keep checking back and watching for the news update.  Oh, and while we were all watching the Ebola news reports late last year, I thought I’d share a few pictures of what else was happening in Senegal West Africa.  Cheers!