Well, I think today was the first time I have experienced violence in Senegal. It's such a peaceful country but I find it rather ironic that it happened the same day that the president of Guinea Bissau was assassinated.
Yesterday I spent the night just outside of Thies at a friend's site. We left around 10 to get to Thies with no problem at all. Somewhere during the 11k drive, our Safety and Security Coordinator sent volunteers a mass text saying "Transport strikes and demonstrations reported in Dakar and Kaolack. Possibly nationwide. Expect transport delays and cancellations today. Please remain vigilant and alert". We get random messages like this all the time so didn't think anything of it. I wish I was exaggerating but honestly, within the next 5 minutes, our bus was stormed by dozens of angry people throwing rocks. We were warned at one stop to let someone off just before this by a fruit lady saying there will be problems ahead but our driver didn't listen to her. No one was hurt, thank goodness. I was able to sink down to nearly sitting on the floor. One brick ended up coming through the back window. It was obvious our driver didn't know whether to stop or drive faster but obviously this mob wanted him to stop. It is the drivers who are striking for higher wages and this was there way of saying, QUIT DRIVING, WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ON STRIKE.
But, knowing this culture pretty well, I know that there were a lot more people involved in this mess than there should have been. I doubt it was only the drivers throwing rocks. People looking for a thrill played along as well. We had to get off of our bus about a quarter mile before the entrance to Thies to be on the safe side. Near the garage of Thies, there was hundreds of people standing in front of the garage, as if to guard anyone else in search of transportation.
It's after 6 and I have heard there may still be problems with public transport now. I won't be going back to site tonight, that's for sure. And we have a taxi's number to bring us back to my friend's site. No need to worry!
It has been a fun day in Thies today. I met the new stage, who upon their arrival, makes our stage the next to leave. There are 2 stages a year - so I'm a senior. AKA next to COS. Crazy. Time to go get busy at site but here I am trapped into watching movies, eating restaurant food, and gossiping with my favorites! Life as a PCV
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment