Welcome to another Wednesday edition of I Heart My City! Today Rachael Cullins of the Girl, Guy, Globe blog writes to us from Dakar, Senegal where she’s living the expat life with her husband and their two dogs. Get Rachael’s insider tips to this West African capital, then tell us about your own insider spots.
Dakar, Senegal is My City
The first place I take a visitor from out of town is for a drive along the Corniche. It’s a long boulevard that runs parallel to the Atlantic on the west side of the city. I feel like the route embodies Dakar and Senegalese life in one short drive: the huge African renaissance statue, the sweeping views of the ocean, the crazy driving, and some of the best restaurants.
When I crave a respite from the constant horn-honking I always go to N’Gor Island via a careening pirogue ferry. It’s quiet, the views are gorgeous, and I can get a big, inexpensive glass of wine at this great little pasta place on the water. And fearing the pirogue might just tip over into the Atlantic is an added cheap thrill.
If I want to get my sweat on, I go to the Olympique Club, a huge fitness complex with an open-air group class studio on the third floor. The classes are taught in French by three of the most enthusiastic guys I’ve met in my life. It’s sweet, sweaty fun for about $10 USD per class.