Dakar …Creating life memories..:)

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  • Histoire 2 fin de vacances!

    “Comment ?  
    Ah bébé je dois faire comment ?  
    Pour pouvoir toucher ton cœur hé  
    Comment ?  “

    Comment/TRK

    Salam out there, hope life is treating you well:)

    Summer holidays are almost over for my daughter. School is set to start early September. Her school publishes on their website the list of supplies very early on during the summer. This helps parents organize themselves. I chose to go buy them early before rush week. The bookstores are always packed the week before la rentrée with parents who are understandably a lot of times. Some parents have several children in different grades and with different needs. On top of that once children enter bookstores they turn like kids in a candy store.

    Every year la Librairie du 4 Vents hires temporary help to make things easier for them and the customers. Today I didn’t bring the supplies list with me but when I gave them her school name and grade they already had it printed out . The employee picked up quickly the supplies and my daughter assisted her with choosing the colors of her notebooks ect.I remember enjoying buying my supplies with my mother & siblings. Picking my trousse and school bag was always a special moment for me:)

    While my daughter was picking her school supplies with the help of 1 of the bookstore employee, I was busy picking a coffee Table book. After browsing the many pretty and interesting books I ended up choosing ” Wax & CO. Anthologie des tissus imprimes d’Afrique” by Anne Grosfilley. I love wax fabric and I am curious to learn more about it.While standing there I noticed a beautiful Senegalese woman behind me with great energy. We smiled at each other and she asked if my outfit was by Thiané and it sure was 😊 …une conaisseuse😉.

    She herself was dressed beautifully in a dress made Senegalese style but in a flowery inspired fabric. After I complimented her on it she shared that she bought the fabric in Bangladesh . How cool is that ?! We shared a nice chat, it’s always lovely when you meet like minded people. We exchanged information and planned on maybe getting together one afternoon and have coffee . I hadn’t met organically in a while o a Senegalese woman that I found interesting and cool so it was a nice encounter.

    While browsing the Muslim section a man who seemed very versed in spirituality suggested a few books.He mentioned Islamic authors that I had never heard of 😅.I could tell he was very far in in his spiritual quest but I noticed that he didn’t seem judgmental or arrogant about it. Sometime people who are well advanced in their spiritual voyages can act self righteous. At the end of our bookstore sortie, my little one had her supplies and I , beautiful encounters and a press book.

    Before going home we decided to go get our “nails done”.I had not taken her to the nail salon in a couple of years . I chose my signature black nail polish while she chose white. It was lovely watching her enjoy getting pampered a little bit. It’s important from time to time to let her enjoy girly moments.We are little by little creating our bank of memories 💕💕.

    “Till next time InshAllah:)

    Yaye

  • Breakie @ Teddy’s Coffee Dakar!

    “Why you gotta be so rude?
    I’m gonna marry her anyway”

    Rude – Magic

    Salam out there, hope life is treating you softly:)

    I took my daughter & I on a breakie date. Teddy’s Coffee located in Almadies has been on my summer list for a little while now. On our way the friendly Yango driver was trying to show me tourist places to visit. He thought que j’etais une vacancière 😂 & I of course didn’t correct his assumption. He shared that the night before Youssou Ndour hosted a big concert downtown Dakar. Yesterday was August 15th & in my country it has always been as long as I remember a big summer holiday.People go out and party all night!Every year it rains on that day.If you ever are in town on August 15th pay attention to it 😁.

    We arrived at Almadies around 10 AM and it was surprisingly quiet! This area of Dakar is always lively. There are many popular restaurants and coffee shops in that zone. It’s pleasant because it’s close to the Ocean. The Yango driver shared that because people probably partied the night before ,they would start going out around late lunch time. After a short ride in Almadies, we finally arrived at the coffeeshop. We were greeted warmly by 2 young waiters.We debated whether or not we wanted to sit outside facing the Ocean or inside . We first tried the outdoor area but it was really hot and soon decided to sit inside.

    The restaurant is spacious with warm and vivid colors. The teddy bear theme was quite present with kids drawings on one wall and a few teddy bears inside of the restaurant. The menu was pretty diverse. My pre -teen chose le croissant Italien and I chose les oeufs Bénedicte with du bacon de dinde. We started with a strawberry milkshake for her & a delicious chocolat viennois pour moi😊. While we waited for our breakfast my daughter shared “a bit of tea” on her school life

    . I told myself internally do not share your opinons before she shuts down lol. I have learned to keep my opinions to myself for a later time when she chooses to share . I remember being her age and thinking my mother did not or would not understand what I was going through.

    At that age , children tend to forget that their parents have experienced “life” before lol. I am learning that it’s a trust bond that needs to be built for the long run, may God help me 😅. In the background was playing the song Rude by Magic. I love that tune and it brought me back to times when Trace TV was a thing for for my friends and I maybe 16 years ago.

    A time when I was not a mother yet and was going out a lot with my friends here in Dakar. Music sometimes reminds you of seasons of your life and this one brought a smile to my face.My daughter said “tu aimes cette chanson à ce point” lol. This was also the perfect time for our date , we avoided rush hours .There were just a few other customers. They all were Americans we were the only locals.

    We really enjoyed the food, it was really good! Of course it was a bit pricey , que dire it’s the norms nowadays 😅. I asked my kid if this a place she would like to come back to and she said yes:) I wanted to try the Creme brulée, mais ce sera pour la prochaine fois InshAllah:)

    “Till next time:)

    Yaye

    “Why you gotta be so rude?
    I’m gonna marry her anyway”

    Rude – Magic

  • Saya….!

    “Uhuum, humm sàya!
    Uhuum, humm sàya!”

    Oumou Sangaré- Saa Magni

    Salam out there, hope life is treating you kindly:)

    My sister /bestie Rica called me yesterday! The tone of her voice was a little melancholic so I asked if everything was ok . She informed me that her childhood house neighbor patriarch Pa Ndiaye had just passed the night before. In our culture neighbors become family especially back in the days. Neighbors knew all the tea on family dynamics, difficulties , joy…you name it. They are there for each other through all seasons of life. When we were younger ,parents could always trust that if our neighbors saw us acting up, they would be informed shortly.

    We used to eat at our neighbors and vice versa. Il y’avait vraiment ce sens de communauté. This does not just exist in Senegal but in other African cultures. When I went last year to my cousin’s wedding in Burkina Faso, her long time neighbor was all up in this wedding lol .She was front & center smiling ,dancing. She came to greet those of us who travelled from other countries. Neighbors were sometimes the first persons who were informed if someone was sick . They would show up with food ,money sometimes.

    Nowadays society has changed. I am not saying it’s a good or a bad thing but it’s simply different. A lot of people now just say hi and bye . People like to keep to themselves . Ce sens de l’entraide commence a disparaitre. I was talking once to a cab driver whose family lives in a Senegalese village .I asked if he was going home for the Eid celebration and he said no . He shared that the community vibe was not the same anymore. He added that autrefois all the houses were open, people didn’t need to announce their visit. They would just show up and eat! He said that now things are different and I asked him why. He explained that many rural people work in Dakar the capital city and adopt city life habits. When these same people go back to their villages they bring with them these new ways of living .

    Today Pa Ndiaye’s family was receiving the visits of loved one , acquaintances. Everyone who knew him or his family came to pay their respect. In our culture on occasions such as this one, people dress in traditional African attire. Women wear scarves on their heads and shoulders and dress modestly .

    I have fond memories of the Ndiaye family . I remember Pa Ndiaye and his sons going to the mosk almost every single day. I remember him being a strict father who only wanted the best for his children. He had a crew of friends; fellow neighbor fathers. They would meet daily a the former neighbourhood garden called La Case. Some would play pétanque and others card games. Today we got to see his children. They were surprisingly very composed and seemed of course sad but in peace.I learned that tonton had been gravely sick for a little while . His daughters said that God allowed him to go & rest. Of course they were sad about it and when they saw my friend Rica there was this sense of shared understood pain between them.

    I listened to them shared common memories.Rica reminded me that Pa Ndiaye stood in place of her late father on her wedding day. She considers him an important male figure in her life. A lot of people were in attendance . We later on joined and sat with Rica’s family. We have been friends for over 35 years at minimum so I know most of them. People who haven’t seen us together in a long time are always happily surprised to see us still friends after all these years. We stayed for an hour. Sometimes that’s all people who lost someone need ; just physical presence. They feel supported and cherished . May he rest in peace, Ameen🙏🏾❤️

    Till next time InshAllah:)

    Yaye

    “Uhuum, humm sàya!
    Uhuum, humm sàya!”

    Oumou Sangaré- Saa Magni

  • Le Dagorne…

    “Eh pourtant, pourtant je n’aime que toi..”

    Charles Aznavour

    Hello out there, hope this post finds you doing wonderful:)

    This year I have promised myself to try new things, new places. I told myself at the beginning of the year that I wanted to go to new places de manière organique. There were a few old ,establishments I had wanted to visit for a while now. Le Dagorne one of the oldest restaurant in town was on the list. It’s located near by le fameux Marché Kermel. Le Dagorne it was for my solo date. I wanted to avoid rush hour & planned for a quiet dinner.

    I called the restaurant to check their opening hours. I was told that doors would open at 19h 30. Perfect! it was Saturday and the drive to the city is usually easy. Downtown Dakar is rather quiet on weekends.Some locals often travel for the weekends while others frequent the Almadies or Corniche areas. I wanted to feel pretty in pink for myself.it’s important to celebrate our own womanhood without seeking the approval of others. My Yango ride picked me up and we talked about the yearly floods problems in the suburbs. He explained to me that during the rainy seasons, some families are forced to relocate in empty schools because their homes are totally flooded. We both agreed that the government should allocate more funds to resolve the pipelines issues that affect the population every single year.

    Once I arrived at the restaurant I was greeted by 2 experienced waitresses in their black knee length skirts & white blouses. I noticed their beautiful bare faces, life lived was their only make up !They wore their emotions in their eyes. I imagined the countless faces they have seen during their careers. It was Saturday evening , at this age they probably could have benefitted from a “relaxed evening ” at home. They looked beautiful yet understandably tired ! I had the restaurant to myself as I was hoping lol.I was walking around the dining room talking on the phone freely lol.

    While I was waiting for my gratin de pommes 2 terres au poulet,I was presented with a small plate of tiny sliced tomatoes .In my head I was thinking (what the h…l lol) & non enthusiastically I tried one tomatoe & soon after I found myself finishing the whole plate. They were seasoned just right , I wish I could have gotten the dressing recipe ..perfecto 🙂 Around 8: 30 PM, I was really surprised that the restaurant was still quiet. Delivery guys were coming in and out so . Things have really changed in Dakar, people ordering in is almost banale now.

    I don’t remenber the name of the cocktail but it was delicious.I am sure it was a mix of pineapple , orange and something else. It took a little while for my meal to be served. However once I was presented with my potato gratin, I was not disappointed at all. For dessert I wanted une creme brulée but it was not available so I ordered instead another fruit cocktail. Overall I would go back to le Dagorne, I really enjoyed the food and the place.

    Afterwards I wanted to walk around the Kermel neigberhood that I don’t visit often. I asked the waitresses if the area was safe at night. They reassured me and told me that at night il y’a des gardiens partout. Kermel has its own vibe.It’s colorful has colonial style architecture and the streets are a little narrow .While walking, I got a little triggered when I heard behind me a moped.Last year I almost got mobbed by 3 young men on a moped but thank God I was able to escape. (that’s another story 😅).Thankfully I was the last thing on their mind lol. Downtown Dakar was really quiet , just the perfect way to end my outing:)

    ‘Till next time InshAllah:)

    Yaye

    “Eh pourtant, pourtant je n’aime que toi..”

    Charles Aznavour

  • Story’oo de Pineapple smoothie:)

    “Baby girl you bad o
    Girl, the way you whine
    I dey mad over you, girl
    I dey mad over you, girl”

    Mad over you -Runtown❤️

    Salam out there, I hope you are enjoying the remaining of your summer:)

    I am learning to just listen to mes envies-you know les petits plaisirs de la vidad. I had an acupuncture therapy session today and from the moment I woke up this morning I had a craving for a pineapple smoothie. I had visited the Maison des Arts a couple of times already , et je me sens à l’aise dans cet endroit coloré. Maybe it’s the art enthusiast in me or maybe it’s the quietness of the space. It might be both, I really enjoy this unpretentious & pretty eatery. The staff is attentive and not overbearing.

    On my way to my acupuncture session, I rode with a very young impolite Yango driver. He was arrogant , played music super loudly, had this” I dont want to drive yet I am driving” vibe to him.I remained calm et il s’est défoulé as he pleased .Once we reached my destination, he was looking for change and stopped traffic for a few minutes.I suggested he parked further and he responded that the other drivers could just wait. I didn’t reply back,I knew the best way to teach him a very needed lesson would be to grade him via the Yango online survey. The worst part was that both his vehicle & his driving were decent but it was uncomfortable being around him.Anyways thus continues the Yango chronicles 😌.

    At the medical center, while waiting for my appointment I was observing the various patients sitting with me in the waiting area.I paid attention to each person’s shoes , body language & vibe. There was a Senegalese woman who seemed worried, 2 Indian men who had this disciplined vibe and were wearing leather thongs. There was a French seasoned man with his child who was playing with color pencils . He seemed enamored with his child, was not saying much but was very attentive to him. A 20 something young Lebanese man was busy on his phone . He was wearing a pair of cool Nike sneakers and a gold bracelet à son poignet. A delivery man came in full of enthusiasm greeting every one. An artsy Senegalese man with locks was busy filling in paper work. Once he was done, he opened a book he brought and immersed himself in it. Then there was me, bopping my head to some old R& B songs . I was reminiscing of times when we rushed home to watch new videos, it was exciting back then.

    After my appointment , I finally got to enjoy for a few minutes a pineapple smoothie. The waiter asked if I wanted something else and I said with a smile no:) It’s ok to just go to a restaurant for a simple drink if that’s all you wanted. I sure enjoyed it!

    ‘Till next time 🙂

    Yaye

    “Baby girl you bad o
    Girl, the way you whine
    I dey mad over you, girl
    I dey mad over you, girl”

    Mad over you -Runtown❤️

  • Health, the biggest gift!

    “A healthy outside starts from the inside.”      – Robert Urich

    Salam out there, hope this finds you feeling well from the inside to the outside:)

    Life took me to the Fann Hospital. Memories of the various times I accompanied both my parents to the hospital when they were facing health challenges came to mind. Alhamdoulilah they are both doing well. I hadn’t visited this hospital in years, but I have passed in front of it countless of times. Last week ,I watched a few street graffiti artists draw on the walls sous le regard des passants. I think their art work might have been commissioned for the upcoming Jeux Olympiques de la Jeunesse. When I first arrived at the hospital the first thing that caught my attention was the absence of police officers at the door. In other Dakarois hospitals the police asks for identification.


    The medical center is vast.Watching the people walking in to visit their loved ones, I was reminded of the fragility of life. Some women were lying down on mats , some appeared very tired, others seemed lost in their thoughts. I imagined they were waiting to hear positive health news concerning their loved ones . Some women were carrying lunch dishes tied with African cloth. I was reminded of the African sense of solidarity that is taught from one generation to the next. This prompted me to think that I need to teach or show examples of compassion towards the sick to my own daughter. In Mali, when one family member is unwell, the whole family comes to visit and spend the whole day. In African culture ,when someone is at the hospital the news travel fast, everybody calls to support the sick and his family.

    People participate if they can monetarily as well. The hospital is one of the few places that remind you that time moves slow and fast depending on each person’s perspective. I noticed this young man feeding a sick young woman. He was sitting facing her, they were sharing a plate of tieboudiene ,Senegal’s official dish. From their body languages I could tell they were very close. I was hesitating between siblings or lovers. Whatever they are to each other, there was lots of love between them. As humans , we all need each other. Anybody could get very ill and need someone to stay by their side. While I was sitting by the entry and exit doors I was watching the ballet of people coming in and leaving. Around 6 PM, I watched some of the nurses whose shifts ended all dressed up to go home. One thing about Senegalese women from all backgrounds, they are very much so in love with fashion.


    This year batik in all kinds of color is the biggest trend.I imagined that the job of a caretaker is not easy. Seeing people feeling unwell cannot be easy. Watching helplessy parents, spouses , kids either be sick or supporting their loved ones must be emotionally tough. I wonder how do they not take their work back home. It’s one of the most noble profession, bravo à eux. Earlier, around lunch time a truck pulled up and soon after I saw women rushing towards it. It was later explained to me that every Friday one of the most influential marabout of our city helps the families of the sick by providing free food & drinks. Hospital bills can be so expensive. The number of medical scans sometimes required can add up quickly to an expensive budget.Ce n’est vraiment pas facile. May God help us all, Ameen.

    ‘Till next time InshAllah:)

    Yaye




  • Matu Café..ah bon hein:)

    “Nah, nah, nah
    No guarantee
    Nah, nah, nah
    No guarantee.”

    Chico Debarge -No Guarantee

    The lyrics of this end of 90s’s early 2000’s R& B song came in mind when I stepped inside of the Matu Cafe.Je ne sais pas, maybe it’s because the orange and green tones made me think of that video..I don’t know:) Memory association is fascinating..maybe it was because of the soulful music playing in the background..I don’t know..But tout celaa pour dire que the vibe inside of the eatery was already my “kind of vibe”.

    I was meeting friends of mine, siblings duo Amy & Moha.Whenever they are visiting Dakar & have free time , we always manage to hang out at least once. It’s always pure laughter and good vibes. Amy is the one suggested we met at Matu Cafe.It was my first time hearing of it, she further explained that it was owned by a Senegalese woman who moved back to the 221 to follow her dreams of opening a coffee shop.

    I visited the cafe’s instagram and looked through their online menu & was agréablement surprised. The restaurant is located in the neighborhood of Mermoz where I spent a big part of my life. The neighborhood has changed a lot lately, there are new luxury apartment buildings, pilates studio and now the Matu Cafe. I am sure people living near by are probably very happy about this new eatery.

    Across the street ,there is a dance studio where my daughter has been a regular since maybe she was 5 years old. When I arrived at the coffeeshop, I was greeted by an amiable attendant who showed me to my table with a big smile. Maybe because it was early morning , the cafe was not crowded yet..which selfishly I like lol. There were 2 gentlemen having a chat , a hijabi woman on her computer. While waiting for my friends, I enjoyed un chocolat viennois “au chaud” comme disent nos frères Ivoiriens 😀.

    Soon after the siblings arrived, in between catching up, we ordered our breakfasts. Moha had the chicken waffles, Amy had the Senegalese omelette and I tried the croissant Benedicte. The portions were reasonable and the plating was pleasant & neat. All 3 of us enjoyed our morning meals.

    Our trio also enjoyed talking about working out; we talked pilates, running and paddle. Amy shared that she really enjoyed pilates because it really engages the body in its entirety. I have been wanting to try a class but for beginners, like a soft introduction to this practice😅 I know it’s a” big trend” in Dakar right now..pilates this , pilates that lol…which is not a bad thing. I really just want a chill environment not too uppity..just a pleasant vibe. I really am also looking for a class with a focus on breath & meditation.I will keep looking online et continuer à me renseigner.

    Before leaving the coffeehouse, I wanted to try one of their fruity soft drinks. I chose the Mangoe Passion cocktail with une tranche de citron which made for a beautiful visual dégradé color combo . It gave me the right boost of energy I needed this morning. The next treat I would like to try there , is the carrot cupcake..affaire à suivre donc 🙂

    Till next time InshAllah:

    Yaye

    “Nah, nah, nah
    No guarantee
    Nah, nah, nah
    No guarantee.”

    Chico Debarge -No Guarantee

  • Showing up…matters:)

    Salam out there, hope life is treating you kindly:)

    I was invited to my little nephew’s kindergarten birthday party. It was a cute little get together with little children between the ages of 2 &3 years old. When I arrived, they were all sitting very politely around the table decorée with a black tablecloth for the special occasion. From their nonchalant behaviors, it was apparent that they were used to having birthday parties at school. Some looked cutely sleepy, some trying to figure out what the fuss was about and others probably ready to just eat birthday cake.

    Birthday parties at this age are mostly enjoyable for parents lol .”We’ve all been there. As parents, we’re so proud, and on those days our minds drift back to their first steps, their first words, their first everything.

    Witnessing them in kindergarten learning new songs, new words . After long days at work, coming home and noticing progress in the way they talk or behave is always moving. My cousin told me to be there at 10 AM sharp. I hate being late & thankfully I got there right on time. La maîtresse and her assistants run a tight ship, the children were well behaved.



    I actually thought it would start on African time lol but elles n’ont pas le temps, they have other things to do. My nephew was ready to dig his spoon in his birthday cake & his mother kept telling him to wait. My cousin was beaming with pride watching her little boy interact with his friends and I realized how important it is to show up for family. She did and does the same for me and many other family members. Every year since she was born, she gifts my daughter with a birthday cake. I know when she gets older, she will be grateful for all the love she showed her. . I remember “big cousins” of mine gifting me basic things like a pair of pants, candy..I especially remember my cousin Madina sending me a pair of creme casual pants from France (that was big deal back then)…

    It’s” nothing to her,” she forgot all about it & when I reminded her of it , she was shocked to know that it meant a lot to me as a teenager.

    Showing up for children whatever their age matters, they might not show it right away but as they get older they will remember the little moments of joy you brought to their life.

    There was another boy who was celebrating his birthday as well. His mother was running a few minutes late, but once she arrived we celebrated his birthday with another joyful rendition of the universal birthday song.

    We all joined in and made the birthday boy & his mother feel celebrated.Just as my cousin, she was beaming with pride, taking a” 100 pictures” as any proud mother does. Both these mothers took time out of work to be there for their sons. The kids truthfully looked uninterested at times lol…you know the look little children give when you are trying to get them to smile in public and they look at you as if you were invisible lol.. yet a second later they are jumping up, clapping their hands and saying :”maman..” lol.


    After enjoying chocolate cakes, it was time to party, the MC aka la maitresse put on some music and the children were invited to shake it of lol..It didnt take much convincing for some children, but my nephew had other things to do lol..he wanted to drink some more juice lol.The other mother was so cute..dancing happily with other kids, kissing on her own child..My cousin joined in and soon it was a big party lol..definitly one cute human experience:)

    His nounou was also present, it’s important to give nounous their flowers.They are the ones to stay with the children during the day when parents are busy working .They are the ones who feed them, wait for them for long hours when they are at school or at school activities . They get attached to the children and yet have to find the delicate balance between being there and knowing when to step back.It’s not always easy…Amadou’s birthday celebration was a reminder that Amadou’s birthday celebration was a gentle reminder that showing up matters. Sometimes our physical presence is the greatest gift we can give the people we love.

    ‘Till next time InshAllah:)

    Yaye

  • Urbanista Bistro, the 221 Way:)

    Hello out there, hope this post finds you doing well:)

    Hun hun je peux commencer, Ziiri (a Bambara word that means un conte ou histoire)..When I was a little girl ,every time there was a power outage my mother would tell us stories in Bambara . I remember my siblings & I listening with anticipation, lol stories of animals and words of wisdom lol ..those were the good old days:)

    Anyways ..back to “my sorties dans Dakar”..This time it was to meet my friend Marissa who was visiting Dakar with her lovely children.She suggested we meet at @urbanista.bistro au Point E. This is the second friend of mine who while visiting from abroad suggested meeting at this bistro..I am going to ask them why they chose this particular place, I am curious to see if it’s internet suggested or friends reviews.

    I believe I have been there twice before over a year ago. I remember the flower wall papers & the pink tone inside of the restaurant. While I was waiting for her, I ordered an orange juice and looked around. There were a few men lunching either in groups or en mode solo. I imagine that they work around the area..there are a lot of businesses and ONG’s around.

    Soon after, my friend arrived with her little ones, I had met her 2 beautiful daughters when they were little and I was finally introduced to her cute little boy. We found seats for our big party of 5 , kids were given des crayons de couleurs and des feuilles de coloriage…that was a nice touch, it keeps children busy and entertained.


    She ordered a seafood pizza for the children, for herself a burger and I had un medallion de boeuf & 1 gratin dauphinois. The ambiance in the bistro was chill, business guys were sharing laughter and good meals. We took our time, didn’t even feel the hours go by, she mentioned that it’s been 6 years since we had last seen each other ..time truly flies. I could not believe that Covid happened 6 years ago, it’s like it was just yesterday when we had to quarantine around the world..what a time !

    I noticed the customers were mainly male ,several businessmen would come and go, lunch on their own or have other friends join them over time. It was interesting to see & hear men relax and talk among themselves, share laughter talk about life..let their guards down just as we would do among women. I noticed a beautiful duo of hijabi women coming in, laughing , sitting not far from us, and a few minutes later change sits..I think the presence of the group of men nearby made them shy lol I get it..it can be intimidating.

    Marissa & I also chatted for hours …women talk lol, she’s a law professor in the US. It’s good to see friends achieve professional goals and contribute to society. Professors & teachers are so essential in all our lives, we all have that one teacher that inspired us to become better people and to go after our personal goals despite life difficulties. Anyways..it was really nice catching up with her & her lovely family:)

    urbanista.bistro on IG.

    ‘Till next time InshAllah:)

    Yaye

  • Porte du Millénaire,ouvre toi:)

    Hello out there, hope life is treating you well .

    I was not feeling my best physically this weekend so I didn’t work out on Sunday ,it’s flue season here and my immune system was not at its best. I figured I would go for a walk and enjoy the sunset view by the Corniche Ouest downtown Dakar. I dont usually work out there but I felt like changing scenery today .I felt like feeling the pulse of the Corniche Ouest by sunset & also wanted to feel the vibe of the fitness enthusiasts there

    .

    When I reached la Porte du Millénaire, there were crowds of people walking, buying fruit snacks, juice , water .Les maads sont de saison and several brave women entrepeneurs have set up tables on which they sell cups of maad jams, cups of slices of mangoes among other snacks. What I find interesting is that they all sell the same things sitting right next to each other. Some of the vendors also sell popcorns, there are also the forever Corniche Jambars :the coconuts vendors, these men are so brave pushing daily their carts of coconuts from one area to another.

    Last year the city had prohibited street food sellers from doing business at the Corniche so I was surprised to see so many of them around.At the same time, this is how they feed their families and themselves. I walked around and went down by the beach, there were groups of young men playing beach soccer, others doing some cardio workout on the sand. I sat down for a little while, enjoyed the view .It’s definitely a different vibe from the Corniche Ouest by Sea Plaza, I like” my Corniche” maybe because I know it very well, it’s more spacious I feel or maybe I am biased lol

    There used to be swings and I heard that people stole them…it’s a pity , kids used to have fun on them. The street photographers are still around, doing photoshoots for the young girls who want to have memories from their outing there.I remenbered that there were des colorful marches where people would work out and I figured I was feeling well enough to engage in a light workout session. When I reached the steps, there was a group lead by the voice of a woman, I was pleasantly surprised to hear that. I started my solo session, there was a little girl who was imitating my moves lol it was cute.

    From afar I could see lightnings , rain was not too far I decided to order my Yango ride before it started. As I was waiting for it, I heard the loud voice of a woman street vendor… she was screaming , cursing and people were just watching her I guess she’s not new to the shouting game. Another woman was yelling back and no one was truly stepping in so I figured it’s street market business as always.

    When my Yango driver reached , we engaged in an interesting conversation, he was driving an electrical car, I asked him why he chose that.He explained that he works in communication and out of curiosity decided to drive electric as a side hustle. He wanted to understand more of that industry and also shared that he does content for drivers. He explained that some of our drivers should be more professional in the way they drive and engage with their customers….interesting conversation:)

    ‘Till next time InshAllah:)

    Yaye

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