The Color Orange

So, New Year's in Saint-Louis, Senegal. I was looking forward to being in a more Euro-centered environment. Sleeping in late, wandering around quaint streets, sipping coffee and watching passersby from a corner cafe, basically being in a city. Okay, do I miss Chicago a little? Maybe ;)

Saint-Louis is actually an island with land mass to the east and west. You can walk from end to end in less than an hour. It reminded me strongly of the Petionville area in Port-au-Prince. The nicest section of the city is on the island proper. Crossing the bridge you come to less affluent sections. Still picturesque, but not catering to the tourist. And I felt like a tourist there, too. More solicitations for money, more taxi drivers and merchants trying to rip me off. I also started feeling ill a day into my stay, so take the above criticism with a grain of salt!

It was pretty, though, and I had some amazing food (before I got sick-though after was fine, too, because I ate only ice cream!). The Senegalese culture is more liberal and free, especially after being in RIM. I'm glad I went but am burned out on traveling. I just want to be back in Nema! Now THAT'S weird!