BMZK:
Noted.
Thanks.

Yea.. U're welcome!.

This is a wonderful thread.
Tonye, pls continue.
I'm itching to see how it all comes to an end.

Seems the op is trying to recover from his expenses.


Nice trip op. Good job.

Captivating!

Tonye, you are doing a great job bringing your experiences to life with your use of words and humour thereby taking us along with your adventure.

Keep it up!

We soon arrived at the traveling agency. I booked for a Wednesday flight to Sierra Leone.

Cow-boy Idi led me through the streets of Dakar to the point he had asked the driver to wait for us. We got into the car as we continued our journey in Dakar’s heavy traffic passing through landmarks like La Boulevard du President and Theatre National President.

Le Porte Millenium (The Millennium Door) is a major landmark at the city of Dakar not far from the ocean bank. It was built in the year 2000 to symbolize the entry into a new century. This monument consists of three doors arranged according to their sizes (the smallest in front and the biggest at the rear) and a statue of an African mother, Yaye Boye (mother in Wolof), seated at the middle door, carrying an object that looked like a trumpet. The woman symbolizes the mother of Africa watching over her children.

Le Monument de la Renaissance Africaine (African Renaissance Monument) is another important landmark built by a Senegalese Architect on a hill at the Ouakam suburb. It’s a tall, brown, bronze statue of a man holding a woman at her back with his right hand and carrying a child with his other hand. The child seemed to be pointing at an imaginary object at the horizon as the man and the woman set their gaze in obedience to the leading of the child. Cow-boy Idi explained that the monument is a major site of tourist attraction at Dakar.

My tour guide, Monsieur le Cow-boy Idi, is a man of many languages – international and local. He speaks French, Spanish, German, and English fluently. He speaks and understands most of the native languages too. He disclosed that Senegal has over five native languages that are well recognized. These are le Wolof, le Diolla, le Madeg, le Poull, and le Cererr. The most recognized and most spoken of these is the Wolof.

The Senegalese capital, Dakar, has a hilly topography. We climbed (crawled?) a hill at least once in every fifteen minutes of our tour. This was a struggle as our car could barely work against gravity due to its poor state. In one or two occasions, the engine of our car went off sending us into a free row backwards.

The hot sun hanging over Dakar didn’t relent as it turned our car into a mobile ovum. We were hot, hungry, and tired but the excitement of the moment killed my desire for food.

“Our next stop is the White House” Cow-boy Idi disclosed.

“The White House?” I asked casting my eyes to the roadside in search of bill boards to make sure that we weren’t at Washington.

“Yes, the White House.” He confirmed.

He spoke in Wolof with the driver for a moment as the driver turned left into another busy street.

[...to be continued]

Le Porte Millenium (The Millennium Door), Dakar...

Le Monument de la Renaissance Africaine (African Renaissance Monument), Dakar...

Dear tonye I really appreciate this story. It has made me to travel and see things thru ur eyes.its really beautiful. Pls keep with this tread

if i no comment watin i gain ? Nice one bro.

Nice, very interesting piece..u are indeed a good writer. The rumor about basic students nt going 4 service after graduation is nt true..I feel like I know u already, can we b friends? Lol

Love ur explicit explanation of the place. It brought bac found memories. Was in togo 4 six months in 2010. Stayed @ Lycee de tokoyin. Opposite hotel d'Oba. How's M. Maklaga (4gtn his name as every1 called him maklaga) M alex, Bouka, ahahahahaha how's M James (very spoilt man. And likes usin spoilt examples weneva he's teachin. Made me rember d place over again. Didn't eat their food. Had one Nigerian woman dat sells close to Redeem church. Went there to buy Nigerian dishes. It was gr8 fun sha. U have said it all, no need goin into details.

What a nice thread! I left NGR vs Ethiopia match to read dis,I love dis post die! @ OP I hv a bro dat study french up to a very gud level but unemployed can u b of help? My no:07036994974,adematinfo@gmail.com,ademat7 on 2go,facebook.com/matthew.adebowale.10 on fecabuk

Le Palais du President is the official home of the President of Senegal. It is often referred to as the White House. It is not far from Senegal’s Assemblee Nationale (National Assembly) and the Administration Building. It’s a white building resting with pride on a vast acre of land with the national flag of Senegal flying above. This building is always guarded by the Garde Rouge [/i]and the military.

The Senegalese, like most French people, are a set of surprisingly free people. This is a fact I was going to confirm in no time.

[i]Monsieur le Cow-boy Idi asked the driver to stop at a safe location, almost directly opposite to the White House. I was alarmed.

“Monsieur, are you sure this is safe?” I asked imagining the consequences of a similar scenario in Nigeria.

“Monsieur Tonye, you have no reason to fear when you are with the cow-boy.” He boasted as he ordered me to follow him.

I wasn’t sure if we were doing the right thing as my heart began beating fast to the rhythm of fear.

“Are you sure about this Idi?” I protested.

“Just follow me my friend. This is Dakar, trust me.” He replied.

He crossed the road as I followed him behind, allowing a considerable distance between us making it difficult to be associated with him in case something goes wrong.

“Monsieur, I know you really want to show me around Dakar. I understand you want to give me a satisfying tour but I think this is enough. I really do appreciate your White House from this distance. I think we should get going.” I shouted in undertones as I followed cautiously.

“My brother, I want you to see everything first hand. Now you’ll have enough to tell your people at home.” He responded.

“Wow! What a beautiful place! This is enough for a first-hand experience. Can we go now please?” I said.

His ears turned deaf to my pleas.

At the other side of the road, Cow-boy Idi met with a military man just beside the President’s Palace. They spoke in a native tongue for a while. I saw the military man nod his head as he stepped back making way for Cow-boy to go through. Cow-boy signaled me to follow him (I was nowhere near him throughout the period he spoke with the soldier).

As I walked past the soldier, I nodded as I greeted him in the French tongue.

We got to the front of the Palace, just beside the Garde Rouge. The Garde Rouge is an armed guard in red standing motionless at the entrance. His face was so squeezed that it appeared to be reflecting the rays of the harsh Senegalese sun.

“That’s the Palace of the President. This is our White House.” Monsieur Idi explained as he pointed through the spaces of the bars of the black gate completely ignoring the guard that was standing just a step beside us. It was a funny scenario that always reminded me of one of the episodes of Mr. Bean’s series.

“Wow. What beauty!” I said in obvious excitement.

“Can I take some pictures?” I asked.

Cow-boy Idi turned to the soldier he spoke with and asked if we could take pictures. The soldier gave us a green light.

Idi and I took pictures with the motionless guard in turns and I also tried to take pictures of the building (the gate made this task difficult).

When we were done, I thanked the guard (he didn’t respond, of course) and the soldier as we zoomed off.

[...To be Continued]

The Garde Rouge

White House, Dakar...

Senegal's National Assembly, Dakar...

Administration Building, Dakar...(as to our Secretariat)...

Ademat7: What a nice thread! I left NGR vs Ethiopia match to read dis,I love dis post die! @ OP I hv a bro dat study french up to a very gud level but unemployed can u b of help? My no:07036994974,adematinfo@gmail.com,ademat7 on 2go,facebook.com/matthew.adebowale.10 on fecabuk

How do you expect someone sharing his experiences to help as regards to employment?

Is Tonye working in Human Resources for a company or a recruiter?

Tonye, abeg carry on with your story

TONYE001: Le Palais du President is the official home of the President of Senegal. It is often referred to as the White House. It is not far from Senegal’s Assemblee Nationale (National Assembly) and the Administration Building. It’s a white building resting with pride on a vast acre of land with the national flag of Senegal flying above. This building is always guarded by the Garde Rouge [/i]and the military.

The Senegalese, like most French people, are a set of surprisingly free people. This is a fact I was going to confirm in no time.

[i]Monsieur le Cow-boy Idi asked the driver to stop at a safe location, almost directly opposite to the White House. I was alarmed.

“Monsieur, are you sure this is safe?” I asked imagining the consequences of a similar scenario in Nigeria.

“Monsieur Tonye, you have no reason to fear when you are with the cow-boy.” He boasted as he ordered me to follow him.

I wasn’t sure if we were doing the right thing as my heart began beating fast to the rhythm of fear.

“Are you sure about this Idi?” I protested.

“Just follow me my friend. This is Dakar, trust me.” He replied.

He crossed the road as I followed him behind, allowing a considerable distance between us making it difficult to be associated with him in case something goes wrong.

“Monsieur, I know you really want to show me around Dakar. I understand you want to give me a satisfying tour but I think this is enough. I really do appreciate your White House from this distance. I think we should get going.” I shouted in undertones as I followed cautiously.

“My brother, I want you to see everything first hand. Now you’ll have enough to tell your people at home.” He responded.

“Wow! What a beautiful place! This is enough for a first-hand experience. Can we go now please?” I said.

His ears turned deaf to my pleas.

At the other side of the road, Cow-boy Idi met with a military man just beside the President’s Palace. They spoke in a native tongue for a while. I saw the military man nod his head as he stepped back making way for Cow-boy to go through. Cow-boy signaled me to follow him (I was nowhere near him throughout the period he spoke with the soldier).

As I walked past the soldier, I nodded as I greeted him in the French tongue.

We got to the front of the Palace, just beside the Garde Rouge. The Garde Rouge is an armed guard in red standing motionless at the entrance. His face was so squeezed that it appeared to be reflecting the rays of the harsh Senegalese sun.

“That’s the Palace of the President. This is our White House.” Monsieur Idi explained as he pointed through the spaces of the bars of the black gate completely ignoring the guard that was standing just a step beside us. It was a funny scenario that always reminded me of one of the episodes of Mr. Bean’s series.

“Wow. What beauty!” I said in obvious excitement.

“Can I take some pictures?” I asked.

Cow-boy Idi turned to the soldier he spoke with and asked if we could take pictures. The soldier gave us a green light.

Idi and I took pictures with the motionless guard in turns and I also tried to take pictures of the building (the gate made this task difficult).

When we were done, I thanked the guard (he didn’t respond, of course) and the soldier as we zoomed off.

[...To be Continued]

lolest! I just imagined taking a foreigner/tourist to d gates of aso rock and asking to look around....lolest, see bulala/koboko/frog jump/detention wey go follow am...chaiiii

What a great country!.. Na wa for Naija oo... Nobody fit near Aso rock like this. Person wey try am na dead meat. Nigeria as a nation really needs deliverance.

Ademat7: What a nice thread! I left NGR vs Ethiopia match to read dis,I love dis post die! @ OP I hv a bro dat study french up to a very gud level but unemployed can u b of help? My no:07036994974,adematinfo@gmail.com,ademat7 on 2go,facebook.com/matthew.adebowale.10 on fecabuk

bro,the 9ja-ethiopia match was great,u missed.
@Tonye,u be big boy o,u spent nothing less than 1 milla for this trip o.
i hail o.
Keep writing,we dey your back

alajor: lolest! I just imagined taking a foreigner/tourist to d gates of aso rock and asking to look around....lolest, see bulala/koboko/frog jump/detention wey go follow am...chaiiii

bro,what if i tell you that if the person is white,he/she would be allowed or treated well,na we citizens all dos mopol and police dey maltreat na.

Alleinad: Hope am not joining the party too late?? Tonye, Tu es vraiment drole!! I am enjoying everybit of your story. j'ai ri beaucoup. merci pour cette article! keep it up!

Vraiment, le mec est drôle.

Interesting.

Nice!

TONYE001: Monsieur le Cow-boy Idi

Wow you got that CLOSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! This is amazing. what a wonderful experience you had. I feel like going on a trip too like you did? awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Nice thread. I have really been enjoying reading it. Good one Op! I must plan my own similar trip any time soon

Alleinad: Hope am not joining the party too late?? Tonye, Tu es vraiment drole!! I am enjoying everybit of your story. j'ai ri beaucoup. merci pour cette article! keep it up!

Nne, how i go take meet you..? i go like make you be my personal french teacher.... unhh-unhh, i no want the french study centre own... lolzzzz

Ademat7: What a nice thread! I left NGR vs Ethiopia match to read dis,I love dis post die! @ OP I hv a bro dat study french up to a very gud level but unemployed can u b of help? My no:07036994974,adematinfo@gmail.com,ademat7 on 2go,facebook.com/matthew.adebowale.10 on fecabuk

did monsieur tonye mention that he is an employment agent ? lolzz

Numero uuuno: bro,what if i tell you that if the person is white,he/she would be allowed or treated well,na we citizens all dos mopol and police dey maltreat na.

bro dat kain thing get as e be,anyway sha man no die man no rotten......I no even know wetin aso rock b like as I never go abuja at all. No pics of aso rock for anywhere..smh

Bienvenue mon grand frère monsieur Tonye. Tu es très drôle.
I never knew you are also a writer... So talented!!
Nice adventure. Please call me I lost your number.

Dear nairalanders, please always be careful and vigilant at every border if you are traveling by road to another country especially if you have to sleep there at night. We had a bitter experience 3days ago at the Ghana/Togo border upon our return to Lagos from Abijan. We lost all our valuables to robbers and that wasn't funny at all.
Note: I + other passengers = we