Dakar

I've spent roughly 7 years in Senegal, mostly in the capital, Dakar. It's kind of fun to listen to a mix of two languages all the time -- French and Wolof (this is also the largest ethnic group). Dakar is a bustling congested city full of city buses and hawkers selling their wares in the middle of traffic. The Wolof are famously hard working trading people. There are Wolof traders all across the West Africa coastline. They are also justly known as fierce warriors. Boys are taught to never back down in a fight, ever. The neighbors have to pull them off of each other.

You will probably notice the odd upside down looking Baobab Trees. Some Senegalese believe the souls of their ancestors live here, so they are treated with great respect. Some city planners moved entire streets to curve around these ancient wonders to leave them undisturbed.

Senegal has one of the more unique expressions of Islam. Perhaps the best known is the Mouride Sufi brotherhood. When the capital empties for the annual pilgrimmage to the city of Touba, you know the Mourides are traveling to honor their spiritual guide, Cheikh Bamba. Even the president of the country visits to pay his respects.

The city boasts some of the finest restaurants in Africa. And because the city juts out into the Atlantic, the beaches are close and a fresh respite from the humidity and heat. There are open markets every week that sell used clothes called fuku jay.You can get almost any kind of Western style shirt, pants, shorts for super cheap and in near perfect condition. It's a fun happy city.