Senexpat

July, 23, 2019

If it wasn’t for Amina and Marlena, I don’t know what I would have done. I also want to thank Elizabeth, Che and Karen (@saharawithlove) for reaching out to their people to make sure I had folks looking out for me. I love and appreciate y’all so much. 🙌🏾♥️

Amina

Little Backstory: I missed Amina’s trip by a few days. She curates a Cultural Immersion Music and Dance Retreat in Dakar/Senegal. I had to wrap up independent contractor work. So I just decided to go to Paris first and then make my way to Dakar solo. Marlena suggested that I reconnect with Amina to ask for contacts in Dakar.

Within minutes Amina responded by linking me via What's App with Ibrahim and Insa from Senexpat. Senexpat provides safe and reliable taxi & transportation services throughout Dakar and Senegal.

Senexpat Logo (2019)

Ibrahim & Insa

In no more than fifteen minutes Insa responded requesting an in-person meeting to discuss my needs. I was shocked, 👀and I asked if we could “have a quick chat over the phone first?” The quick chat over the phone was to discuss the in-person meeting 😂LOL! I met them within an hour or so of being connected.

Getting from the airport in Dakar was a trying experience. Even for a seasoned traveler. One that was so disorienting it made me hesitant to venture out by taxi again. I made the best of the taxi experience from the Senegalese airport by putting a comical spin on it in my last blog [Why Dakar?]; Senegal is a wonderful place, but as a solo traveler with little knowledge of French that comedy could been grave.

Having a ride that you can trust is everything.

Before they arrived

Before their arrival, I really had a meeting with myself. Why are you here? Present that person, that creative, the one who is interested in travel, the earth, things affecting women, healing, and visual art. Ask for an experience curated by your interests. These are the six tenants I’ve intentionally organized my life around for the past year or so. These things are why I am here, the business of my life’s work. I believe that to be true at my core and I am just running with these things.

In the past, I have had opportunities to show who I am and say what I need, but I have left things to chance, and allowed myself to be influenced by the needs and opinions of others. Subsequently leaving the option on the table to directly state what I want to see and do. As a result, I have had to revisit situations in order to really get what I needed in the first place.

I set the intention that our meeting would be a conscious exercise to say this is who I am, and what I am in search of…🦋

The Meeting

I was so happy to see Ibrahim and Insa they are wise and sincere beings. Simply put, good peoples. Easy to talk to, joke and connect with — they brought life into my experience.

After our conversation, we determined I needed transportation and a bit of translation. Ideally over the course of three days and for a flat rate.

My crazy-ass heard, “everything is negotiable on the continent,” and inquired about whether or not that concept applied to their rates. Insa let me know in the kindest way this was true other places, “but...”

I interrupted, “but this ain’t the marketplace, this is an incorporated business.”

We all laughed. 😂♥️

Worth It

Beautiful mozaic— road to Ouakam Mosquee

What they offer and provide is priceless. I highly recommend their services to anyone traveling to Dakar/Senegal. They provide door to door service, air conditioned cars, transport for one or more, translation, all of the things. I felt like the Princess President during my time with them. It felt like I was traveling with friends and family, something I needed and will address in my next post.

Above and Beyond

After we agreed on the itinerary they inquired about what I would be doing the rest of the day as we would begin our contract the following day. I replied, “nothing.” They asked if I’d eaten. I only had the bread and juice my airbnb host left for me. Insa and Ibrahim then offered to take me to the supermarket and to find dinner.

During our trip to the supermarket Insa and Ibrahim really looked out for me. I didn’t even realize you had to weigh produce in the produce section.

After the store, everyone was hungry but they just wanted to stop at the nearest place (the place had hot dogs on the banner). I told them, “I’m side-eyeing y’all, I want Senegalese food” — food that they could vouch for — not some random food. They were so accommodating they drove me to the beach where there were several more authentic options. That food took so long to come but it was so good I forgot to take a photo. I am plant-based but I had Yassa Poulet that day and the onion sauce was legendary. 🙌🏾

My Itinerary

More on the places we went in future blogs. Here is a general list of the places I traveled to using Senexpat transportation services: African Resistance Monument, Oukam Mosquee (the beach nearby), Park of Remembrance (and the beach nearby), Museum of Black Civilizations, Soumbouidienne Market and Artisan Village, Dibiterie Ouba, Downtown Dakar, Lac Rose, Maison de la Culture, etc.