With the late arrival on Monday, an intensive workshop schedule and a flight out on Friday evening, there weren’t too many opportunities for exploring beyond the hotel. But thanks to the local knowledge of Senegalese hosts, I did get out and about just a little bit… and also found two unexpected art exhibitions.

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An airport exhibition

When you’ve got a lot of spare time in an airport, an unexpected art exhibition comes in very handy. As we waited for our transfer on arrival, there was time to buy snacks, get some cash and check out the art work. There was such an unusual collection of styles, but there are the colourful pieces that caught my attention – definitely a grapefruit wheat beer moment.

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A run along Corniche Ouest

There weren’t too many options for a run, but a group of us set out after day 1 of the workshop for a chatty 5k – to the Radisson and back, along Route de la Corniche Ouest. It took us past Plage de Fann – where it seemed like hundreds of people were doing running drills along the beach – and this stretch of road seemed to be a very popular spot for late afternoon activity (and taxis). It was great to find some fellow runners amongst my work colleagues – I got some ideas for future ultramarathons too. And of course, post-run cake was essential.

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Dinner around the bay

On Wednesday evening, a small group of us made a plan to visit a restaurant along the coast – Le Ngor Les Pieds Dans L’eau in Corniche des Almadies – just a few hundred metres from the very western tip of Africa. It definitely lived up to it’s name – we dined to the sound of the waves lapping on the small beach just behind our table. The mosaics and artefacts added to the experience – and the food was amazing. I tried a local tuna dish. On the way back to the hotel, I caught a closer glimpse of the African Renaissance Monument – the tallest statue in Africa and dominating the skyline west of Dakar city. We didn’t get to visit this time though – my liquorice panna cotta moment for this trip.

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Shopping at the craft market

Just a short distance from our hotel, we just had time for a flying visit to le marché artisanal de Soumbédioune on Friday afternoon before our early evening departure. We were guarded in our exploration – and haggling – by two of our Senegalese colleagues. My French is just not up to the task – but I manged to purchase a new bag, some fabric and a Senegal football short for Mr T, using up all the West African Francs I had. It was good to be able to wander around for an hour – and investigate all the amazing crafts on display.

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Another art exhibition

And just as we were leaving, we came across this installation – something to do with hippos and part of the Dakar Biennale. I quite liked it, but had no idea why it was located in the market.

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Watching the ocean

Arriving late on Monday evening, it wasn’t until Tuesday morning that I realised just how close to the coast we were staying. Leaning my head out of the window of my room, I could see the ocean. I tried to find time each day to go and look at the water – and listen to the waves – whilst hopefully avoiding any mosquitos. I did sit out for a little while to do some work one afternoon – if you’ve got an ocean view, you need to make the most of it. Just before the minibus arrived to take us to the airport, I popped back out for one last look.

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I tried to make the most of the opportunity – but there was so much more to see.