I’m back! And it feel’s great! A week in Crete was exactly what I needed. Joe and I mostly spent the week lazing on Southern Crete’s quiet, unspoilt beaches.

Anyway, today we’re heading to Senegal, a North-western African country I know very little about. Most of what I do know about Senegal is that it’s the end-point for the legendary Paris to Dakar Rally. Dakar is the most western city in continental Africa, and Senegal itself is the westernmost country in Africa. Another geographical  and Senegal also totally encases The Gambia. 

Was a former French colony and gained independence in 1960. After a few decades of independence, Senegal and The Gambia agreed to merge into one country in 1981 in response to threats of uprisings and political instability. However there was little appetite from citizens of either country in further integration and the project eventually withered into nothing in 1989. For me it’s almost a shame this didn’t happen, it seems that countries nowadays are splitting up more than they are unifying and joining forces. If life has taught me anything, it’s that our actions have more impact when we cooperate as nations.

Talking of international cooperation,  Senegal will be the first African nation to host an Olympics event when it hosts the 2022 Youth Olympics next year. 

Senegal is also a key member of the Great Green Wall project. The Great Green Wall is planned forrest described as a 8,000km natural wonder crossing the entire width of Africa. It’s designed to prevent climate change, and halt desertification and the expansion of the Sahara desert. 

Senegal’s Capital Dakar is home to the African Renaissance Monument, the tallest statue in Africa. The statue represents a family rising up from the ground and was built by North Korea and cost over $27.7m USD. Thousands of people reportedly protested against its construction. That’s kind of understandable really in a country where almost 40% of people live in poverty. Perhaps less symbolism, and more concrete acts would be a bigger crowd pleaser?

Anyway, enough complaining, Dakar is certainly a city I’d like to visit one day.