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Reflections on Senegal // Leaving Home

September 2, 2014June 11, 2019 Crystal // Dreams, etc. Post a comment
Reflections on Senegal // Leaving Home
This isn’t the best picture of me, but here I am at the most western point of continental Africa.

Ten years ago I hopped on a plane and flew to Senegal!

Okay, that makes it sound like it was a happier event than it was. In reality I tried, unsuccessfully, to hold back tears as my parents took me the airport that day. It was the culmination of two weeks of spontaneously bursting into tears at the thought of my trip, because suddenly I didn’t want to go.

At least, I thought I didn’t.

I think that was the moment that I realized that when dreams come true, they don’t always come with a huge smile. Dreams coming true can be hard. I first had the dream of traveling to Africa between high school and college after reading Angel of Mercy. I never actually thought I’d do it, though. I was going to do the “right thing” and go to college right away. I even had plans to get a smart degree. You know, one that you can actually do something with. I was enrolled in a school and I had a plan, but a couple of months before I graduated high school, plans changed and I decided the school that I had planned to attend wasn’t right for me. It was too late to apply anywhere else for the fall semester, so I suddenly had no plans. One night my dad asked, “Would you like me to see if there’s something for you to do in Senegal?” He had visited years earlier and we still knew people who lived and worked there. “Yes!” I told him, still not thinking that anything would come of it. But a few nights later the response came. If I was willing to go, there would be work for me to do.

That’s how I found myself raising money, getting all kinds of vaccinations I had never even dreamed of, and preparing to fly to West Africa to work for approximately three months. And I never realized how scary that would be.

After hugging my parents goodbye I got on the first plane that took me to Chicago. And I contemplated calling my parents and telling them that I was going to change my flights so that I could come home. But I got on the plane and flew to Madrid. That was the hardest layover; I spent ten hours in that airport. I was exhausted and wanted to sleep, but couldn’t. I was jealous of the Senegalese that were also waiting for the flight to Dakar. They were going home and I wanted to go home, too. Again, I thought about calling my parents and telling them that we needed to change my flights. I didn’t want to do this anymore. But I boarded that final flight.

It was nighttime when I arrived in Dakar. The heat soaked through my jeans when I stepped off the plane. I was nervous at that point and that blocked out any feelings of homesickness that I had. I met my ride and left the airport, exhausted as we drove through the streets filled with speed bumps to their apartment in the city. Before bed I thought I heard a goat (I did) and the power went out–the perfect introduction to life in Dakar, now that I look back on it.  And I fell into an exhausted sleep.

And that was my first night in Dakar. Ten years ago. I can’t believe that much time has passed!

As you can probably guess, I ended up falling in love with Dakar. But more on that later.

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. ā€œThe water looks cold,ā€ I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. šŸ˜‚)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle tour with a stop at Thingvellir National Park. My fingers froze as I took these photos but it was worth it to capture this view. šŸ˜ PS - the last photo is from a lake we stopped at on our way from Geysir to Thingvellir.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 1. We went on a rather unvent Iceland, Day 2, Part 1. We went on a rather unventful Northern Lights tour the night before and slipped in a few hours of sleep before meeting our bus for the Golden Circle tour. Our tour guide was @busdriver_annie and she was amazing! Pictured: Faxi (the small waterfall) Gullfoss (the big waterfall), a wool market where we also saw some animals, and Geysir (the hot springs area). Geysir is actually the most famous geyser in the world but it doesn’t erupt anymore. However, Strokkur erupts every 5 - 10 minutes. I’ll share more photos from the tour soon!
Iceland, Day 1. We landed bright and early at 6:30 Iceland, Day 1. We landed bright and early at 6:30 am, dropped off our bags at the hotel, and went exploring. We saw HallgrĆ­mskirkja, the amazing view from the bell tower, the rainbow street, and walked down Laugavegur. Swipe to the end to see the view from our apartment!
Scenes from November, which were mostly at the dam Scenes from November, which were mostly at the dam apparently.
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