First days in Dakar

Arrived safe and sound in Dakar, 8pm Thursday evening. The airport was complete mayhem, but eventually got through and was very pleased to see my name amongst the many cards being held up amongst the large crowd behind barriers at the airport entrance. Homere, the wfp driver, took me straight to the hotel, which is in the city centre, about half an hour from the airport. It had been a long day and I was ready to crash out. Next day - into the wfp offices to meet everyone and start some of the admin stuff, set up bank account etc. Also started the process of looking for an apartment - looked at one in Fann Hock, just outside centre of town and close to the beach, very nice but expensive so need to check out some others. The climate in Dakar at the moment is very nice - warm but with a cooling breeze. The streets are crowded and it's impossible to walk more than a few yards without meeting a new 'friend' who wants to sell something - the favorites being phone cards and watches. No mosquitoes - so no need for insect repellent, but what can you use to keep the street sellers at bay? I'm working on it.