Ahh the road out of Lompoul, and we’re back in a normal car. This time we’re traving with an additional passenger- one of the camp workers was looking for a looking for a lift to Thiès. We were going that way, and really asking around or standing on the side of the road is the only way people seem to get around in this country- so we were happy to oblige. Safely out of the desert beast, the four of us head south on blessedly smooth pavement and pass the usual suspects of vehicular traffic.
I like this truck because not only because he’s a Muslim fan of Argentian football proportions, but he also isn’t afraid to slather a pretty shade of pink all over his vehicle.
A helo? No- two helos! What the Hell….
“You’re not from around here, are ye?” These kinds of toubabs are not the type you’d expect to find round these parts…
“It’s the Dakar Rally!” Says our chauffeur. I’m a bit surprised at this, because last I checked the Rally was moved to South America in 2008 after security concerns in Mauritania. I mean, I’ve never actually seen the Dakar Rally in action, but this sure looks to me like it would be that kind of a motorized race through the desert…
We pass by the stationing area, but up ahead we see that there are people on the move. Cool! Still, what the heck is this race?
A bit of crack research on my part lets me know that what we are seeing is actually the Africa Eco Race. It just goes to show that you can’t keep a good thing (or wicked cool event) down. For the past four years there has still been a Paris to Dakar race, and I suspect we’ll be seeing the race here again next year. Or everyone else will. I’ll be far away from this continent.
Okay so back to road. We make our way towards Thies,and I’ve got a stop that I’ve been meaning to make for a few years. It’s basket hunting time…
While I’m shopping, John is doing the better work of us two by capturing some cool shots of the wares. That is, until the road catches his attention…
The cars are on the move!
I have never seen cars like these in Senegal. I would totally hitch a ride with one of these guys through te sand over the cracked window taxis that I take each day in Dakar. Did I mention that my taxi driver today hit a car? I cease to be impressed by this occurrence.
I should probably mention that John took all the photos for this entry. Merci, John!
And they just keep coming…
I’m still shopping, but am losing interest quickly as I get overwhelmed by the dizzying array of crap stuff. I am so supersaturated by the selection that I almost want to buy nothing. But this is probably the only time I will be at Senegalese basket capital of the world. So I pick a bunch out and commence haggling.
Meanwhile, John is still snapping pictures of the scenery. Amongst all the high rollers zooming by, John doesn’t neglect to capture the typical modes of transportation sitting on the other side of the road. I love this country.
Tractor, motorbike, rally car, biped- behold the juxtaposition of all modes of transport available at this very moment.
I buy my baskets, and jam all of my stuff inside of them in order for everything to fit into the car. I think I got a good price, but the real value of this stop was more than realized by parade of comptitors and support trucks that we got to see pass us by. My brother must think I live like this every day. Uh, wrong.
And with that, we’re off again…
On to Joal! (yes, still)
