Arriving in, living and leaving Senegal
Once arrived at the Blaise Diagne airport of Dakar late at night, I had to call the driver to confirm my arrival. Luckily a helpful and very kind gentleman working at the airport offered me his cell phone and even told me about the country and capital city Dakar’s interesting spots to visit. Already at the airport, my personal experience exceeded Senegal’s hospitality reputation I had heard about.
Next mornig, the mission’s logistics department called to check upon me and see to it that all was well. Hospitality … check again!
First work day at the office, I was being led to a private space to have an induction with heads of departments each separately, I couldn’have received a more warm welcome. I’m sorry to repeat this, but hospitality…check again!
Just when I started thinking I had seen it all, I got invited to celebrate national holidays at a colleague’s place with his family (covid measures respected) and food delivered on special occasions. Hospitality…of course!
I even got free tours in the city centre from local people with advice on places to visit. Do I need to repeat It again? Hospitality, no doubt!
Sad when I was leaving and worried about my canceled flight, but had the host organisation already forgotten about me? Think again! Several heads of department were frequently in touch to make sure I was being taken care of until arrival in my home country.
Oh, did I already mention friendliness?
In a nutshell, Senegal’s hospitality reputation is for real!
Best surprise one can get is when an experience gives you that special 'wauw' effect.