2.11.2009

Safari in Kaolack

This time heading south, closer to the Senegambia border, we were traveling to Kaolack for the night. (Please understand the roads are not all of US quality, many of the highways become dirt and mud after the rains, even if they were paved before and aren't repaired immediately. Also the trip from Dakar, Senegal to Serrekunda, Gambia should take about 6 or so hours straight but we were seeing the sites and traveling a bit around Senegal so obviously it took us longer)Apparently on previous trips sponsored by the KSAC consortium there was some dissent as to whether Safari's were good to take the students on, because they may provide misconceptions about Africa as a continent. Well we were privileged enough to go on a safari where we actually had a lot of fun.

The safari starts with us crammed (and I do mean crammed as we had an extra person than we were supposed to) into a jeep with special stadium seating and our guide Musa. As we drive into the bush (the forest/jungle/plains whatever you would like to call the wild) we see a number of giraffes, warthogs, gazelle, monkeys, birds, horsedeer, and ostriches (Which by the way one tried to attack the car, right in front of me, no lie. Those suckers have some giant dinosaur claws too). There were some Rhino in the reserve, that we were hoping to see, but unfortunately when we were doing our tour it was too close to midday so not many animals were risking the heat. (The African sun is truly intense, more so than the sun we saw in New Delhi, India. Between 11-3 if you are of 100% Irish descent and are wearing spf 50 expect its protection to last shorter than 35 minutes if the temperature is above 85*. There is a belief here though that the African sun also melts fat. Perhaps that is true or that everyone here walks and sweats and thus gets great exercise). Lions and I believe elephants no longer live in the area due to high poaching rates.

After the safari we went to the Reserve's restaurant which overlooks their crocodile pond and some gigantic tortoises. We had Yassa (an amazing onion "sauce" or curry that is a little sweet and spicy and generally served with chicken or fish over rice) and Tapalapa (a local cheap bread that is the combination of sandwich bread and a bagel but is shaped like a baguette). Thankfully our landlord, who is the local KSAC director, and father-esq figure to us who lives on premises with us cooks wonderful food and is willing to teach, so hopefully I can reconstruct some of these dishes for you all.

After the safari we stayed at another nice hotel in Kaolack before moving across the border the next day.

2 comments:

bellinghamster said...

Hi Cait, That safari sounds so interesting! As to your earlier post, I can see why the Gambia reminds you of India.

Your mom says your having a terrific time. Hope all's well.
Love, Pat

Cait said...

I am thanks. lol I forgot to mention that I got scratched by a thorn and was bleeding through the whole thing lol. and thanks for the comment I like to see what people think of my experiences.

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