How much $

[Simply_Uno 1]

Yes they do look at white people like they have a lot of money, but their definition of white is different from ours. If you are African American you are still white in their eyes. We walk different from Africans. I know that sounds odd, but after a Ghanaian pointed this out to me, I started paying attention and it's true. Anyway, that's just to say they can look at anyone and know they are not from that country - even a Nigerian in Ghana in many cases.

As for the money thing, I'd say to budget about $20 a day (if you are staying with him and don't have to pay for lodging). Another thing, if you are going to a store where they barter or getting into a taxi where the fee is negotiable, sit back and watch to see what a local person pays. When you know what they paid go and barter for less. If they won't give it to you then walk away. They'll likely call you back. Many foreigners decide that they have money so they want to give more and help the seller out, but this just reinforces the view that all whites are rich (and makes it very hard on Peace Corps Volunteers who do NOT get paid more than a local teacher salary). Never take the first price they give you when you are in the market. If you trust your fiance then he can do all the bartering when you are out of sight, but I found that I could barter for less than my husband in many cases. If you really feel like you have to give more for any reason, then barter for the lowest price, agree to it, and then give extra as a favor. Or just buy more goods from them.

More than likely though, you'll be hob-nobbing around in the richer area of the country and the stores with roofs, walls, and windows do typically have set prices so they couldn't cheat you even if they wanted to.

Good luck!

Man, Kanyiri, you hit it dead on. That's what was told to me. Another thing to be cautious of is don't let him be in control of your finances. Find the exchange rates and know them well. Some african men get "proud" when their foreign SO is coming to visit and develop a "show boat" attitude. Just be wise, watchful and do not allow your punanny to do the thinking for you.

Good Luck and have fun

UNO

[stevi1123 0]

To TamaralovesAdam:

I'm not looking for an argument with you, and I ask that you not incite one. My point was to emphasize the positive aspects of her journey with regards to her fearing the fact that others have told her to be cautious because she is white. I traveled to Nigeria with a white friend, and experienced first hand how it is sometimes assumed that whites are "rich."

No, I do not know her, but then again, do you? I was responding on the basis of "assuming" that since she is going to marry this man,they have already established a love relationship, and that he will watch over her if someone attempts to take advantage of her. I was not commenting on the money aspect of your response. I know full well what it is like in WEST Africa, but of course I am speaking as a non-white person.

I agree totally that she should take more money just to be safe in general, but you seemed to be discounting the man she has decided to marry, and that is why I commented. I completely agree about the money issue.

Peace

Edited October 11, 2008 by stevi1123

[WhidbeyGirl 1]

WOW a wealth of information (pun intended ). Thank you all.

I am still absorbing from here, the nigerianbestforum.com boards(my other online family), and friends who have traveled more than I. I have been to Paris once and my mom paid for nearly everything.

Definitley the economy SUCKS here especially on the island I live on, BUT I actually most likely have a TERRIFIC job with AWESOME benefits when I get back. I scored VERY well on my corrections officer test so by January I will be making much more - it's just next 3 months that are hand to mouth for me.

I texted my SO and told him maybe we should reconsider postponing my visit, I hurt him so much. He was on a bus going back to his village and had to get off he was so distraught. He assures me everything will be taken care I will want for nothing. I know part of things for me is the fear of going to another country on my own (like the "Running Out of Time" thread). I have always been someone who operates completely out of my head thinking and rethinking and justifying and analyzing, etc. This operating from my heart can be quite scary sometimes. I still think, don't get me wrong, but my heart has a lot of input in this situation and when my head gets too involved my body naturally puts on the brakes and "comes up" with logical reasons to be fearful.

Thank God my SO has this innate ability to "know" when I am feeling things of this nature and even if he can't afford a call he calls. I am astounded somedays by his timing LOL! There have even been times (early on in our relationship) when I have had to ask him difficult questions to validate things about him and even before I said a word, he would bring up the answers in casual conversation. It's happened more than once so it's not just coincidence, our souls are already being woven together.

Anyways, thank you all for your great information you are helping my thinking logical side to be ok with this.

Edited October 11, 2008 by WhidbeyGirl

[Ta Ta 1]

Where in Senegal will you go ? Dakar ?

Dakar is expensive to get around and hotels are not cheap. We stayed for $30 per night in an apartment with bathroom.

Sylvia brought out a good point of comfort level. If a few hours of AC is not sufficient for you then you may need to provide extra fuel for the generator. Or are you in a hotel with constant AC ? More than likely you will have to get by with cold showers. It was comfortable and cool by the ocean front when I went in April to Dakar. In Sierra Leone I thought I would die it was so hot, we constantly ran out of fuel for the generator to keep cool...........when we had electricity that is.

Planning a wedding is not cheap either. Hopefully you discuss all details of cost for the wedding with your SO. You will be surprised what will pop up

as ........we need more money for this and that .........or be prepared to go without. Who pays for what ?

I went to Dakar with $ 600 in cash. Lodging was taken care of in advance. I wore the money close to my body in a travel pouch. You can buy some for your waist or around your neck under your clothes and no one knows it is there. Do not take a purse and don't leave money / passport in your room wherever you may go.

Ask your SO exactly how much money he has available for an emergency and who pays for what in detail. Never assume anything.

Oh, do take wipes along, there is no T-paper in public rest rooms, heck there are not too many public rest rooms with flush toilets, except nicer restaurants. When you are out and about and nature calls get your wipes out of your cargo pants pockets and you are good to go

Ask your SO to have bottled water ready before you arrive. Brush your teeth with bottled water.

Airport tips for Dakar:

When you arrive you are on your own until you get outside of the building and turn right toward the gate where all the people wait for the arrivals.

You may meet someone who claims he is security who will act all nice to help you. If you can handle the bags yourself do not hire someone to carry them for you.

The so called security guy may want to call your SO on the phone and direct you to him for the grand price of $20.

You don't need that. Just be ready to meet your SO at the gate.

Very few people are allowed inside for arrival pick up.

Just thinking of some Dakar specific situations.

I also had to hide whenever taxi fares were negotiated and even when going to the market. Prices for Mangoes tripled when they saw me.

VJ member Taurean has been to Dakar several times and may have other helpful tips.

Taureaaaaaaaaaaaan where are you ?

[Paul & Evelyn 0]

Omoba gives good advice. I am new to this website, but I just came back from Dakar, Senegal, on Sept 14. I was there for a week with my fiancée. I may be able to answer your questions about Dakar, but I did not travel outside of Dakar. I wasn't there as a tourist, I was there to be in love with my Baby. I had many of your anxieties about traveling there and lots of questions about Dakar when I first planned my trip, but my fiancée handled much of the details for me, along with her sister and Senagalese friend, Abdoulaye. He had a car and was a big help in making arrangements for us, even whe his car wasn't running.

Have you ever been there before? Are you planning to travel outside the city of Dakar, or are you planning to stay on the Cape Verde Peninsula for your entire 3 weeks? Street hustlers are very common, and because you are white and female, they will seek you out, even if you are with a local. Just keep saying "no" politely and they will disappear. I must tell you how really nice the people were to me. If your guy is Senagalese and speaks Wolof, you should be all set. If you are worried about what you will do or where you will stay in case things don't go as planned, then you should have a back-up plan. I can put you in touch with my fiancée, little sister and friend Abdoulaye. We did not stay at her place, since sahe has no generator. When the power goes out, which is a daily happeneing for many hours, it is hotter than hot. I did a lot of hotel research before I went there, and she checked out my top choices. I let her pick the winner. So, we stayed at a hotel that was only 2 blocks from the US Embassy for about $100 per night. The dollar has been gaining against the Euro, and the Senegal CFA is fixed at 640 per Euro. At today's exchange rate, the hotel would probably be $90 per night.

[Ta Ta 1]

I can refer you to a cheaper, nice apartment if you need it. Let me know.

[Ta Ta 1]

Hey Paul, wishing you the best for your visa journey

[Perseverance 1]

Very good advice here. I am a firm believer of PLAN AHEAD

[Sylvia_n_Joseph 3]

Speaking of public toilets Have you ever learned to pee without the benefit of a toilet to sit on as hoisting your skirts and squating ? If the answer is no there are several devices that may save you from a world of embarrasment. And I would advise you become familiar with these things BEFORE you leave. Check out the weather where you are headed. For most people it will be hotter and more humid than they are used to. Also remember that roads are rougher than here so comfy shoes are a must. Make sure you know what you are going to do if you get really sick. Take a first aid kit with you. Getting sick will ruin your trip and could run you major $$$. Some companies sell rather reasonable trip insurance that will get you out of country if you need it. Being prepared and comfortable is a big part of enjoying your trip.

[WhidbeyGirl 1]

Answers:

Flying into Dakar (obviously), will be traveling to Thies that day and staying there for 4 days. We are getting married in Thies. Then we will travel to Tambacounda where he lives. I had hoped to travel and see many areas of the country but finances just aren't going to allow for that - maybe another time.

I live north of Seattle so am not used to hot weather at all. I have been going to a tanning salon the last 6 weeks so that I will at least have a base tan and not burn while there. While I am "darker" than I ever have been in my life, I really don't tan too much, so will definitely bring lots of sunscreen. I consider anything over 75 degrees hot so I know I will probably be uncomfortable. I am typically a jeans & t-shirt gal but there is NO WAY I am bringing jeans I know I would just be way too hot. I don't own any shorts so will bring lots of skirts. I've taken several cold showers in my life while camping and really didnt' like them, but I think I will probably enjoy it while I am in Senegal because I am not accustomed to heat and humidity.

The wedding is just going to be us and two to four witness. There won't be much cost at all.

I have a travel pouch that goes around my waist that I took when I went to Paris with my mom. I didn't take a purse there either, just took a change purse that fit in my pockets or in my travel pouch. Will take your advice and carry my passport with me. SO suggested to also have several copies of my passport and airline ticket confirmation - just in case. Will carry a copy, and he'll have a copy and a copy in each of my bags/suitcases.

Because I went into a fear mode the other day SO is sending me a copy of the receipts for where we are staying and other plans he has made.

Wipes - GREAT idea!!! When I travel with my kids I always have some but hadn't thought of taking any with me while traveling alone . Will also tell SO to have bottled water for me. One of my friends from the nigerian forum told me the same thing to only drink bottled water, he is Nigerian living in France and he has to drink bottled water when he is there. Do you think I can pack bottled water? Or would that just end up being a huge mess?

Thanks for the advice regarding the airport in Dakar. SO just went with a friend to the airport to pick his friends SO and found out that I definitely need to know the exact address of where I am going to be because the woman they picked up just knew SO's po box and they made her pay $40 just to get through customs. I hope to not take too much with me so I should be able to handle carrying everything on my own.

No I have never been to Senegal. I experienced the street hustlers while I was in Paris. My SO told me that all I need to do is say no and if they are still persistant I just mention law enforcement and they will leave me alone. Too bad I wont' start my job as a corrections officer until I get back LOL.

Paul, my SO is Nigerian, just like your SO . He does speak Wolof (somewhat) along with French, pigeon French, English, pigeon English and Yoruban. He also wants to learn Igbo.

Omoba & Paul, I would love your information on different hotels & apartments and contacts, please PM me.

As for shoes, all I have are running shoes and high heels, so am looking for comfortable quality sandals right now, but have been unsuccessfull thus far on the island I live. I am definitely not a "girly girl" so using outhouses or squatting is not even a big deal for me. The first place my parents moved to when we arrived on the island was a cabin that had 3 rooms - a kitchen with a shower, a room with a dinner table, bed & fireplace and a bedroom. The bathroom was the outhouse. Camping is also one of my favorite things to do and have been to many places with out a toilet at all - although have not gone camping in a skirt so that may be a bit of a challenge LOL!

S&J, First aid kit - great idea THANKS!

THANKS AGAIN ALL I REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!

Edited October 12, 2008 by WhidbeyGirl

[Ta Ta 1]

No, there is absolutely no reason to bring bottled water with you. Your SO can buy it from the store. If you are going into the province where

there is no bottled water ( I have not been to the places you mentioned) you can still get it in Dakar and then take it wherever you go. Don't drag it along in your suit case.

You may want some extra money to buy fabric and have a dress made when you get back home.

I like light cargo pants, capri length ..... am not comfortable in shorts. Lots of pockets come in handy. We had an apartment not far from the ocean front in Dakar and I was amazed at the sand on the roads and sidewalks, some 4-6 inches high, it felt like walking on the beach itself, so bring shoes you can walk in for sure. Further down in the city there is no problem.

I like sandals with a snap, buckle or velcro or whatever it is called, because my feet get too hot in a closed shoe.

Germ X gel for cleaning hands when out and about is excellent too, just a small trial size bottle.

[Ta Ta 1]

Speaking of public toilets Have you ever learned to pee without the benefit of a toilet to sit on as hoisting your skirts and squating ? If the answer is no there are several devices that may save you from a world of embarrasment. And I would advise you become familiar with these things BEFORE you leave. Check out the weather where you are headed. For most people it will be hotter and more humid than they are used to. Also remember that roads are rougher than here so comfy shoes are a must. Make sure you know what you are going to do if you get really sick. Take a first aid kit with you. Getting sick will ruin your trip and could run you major $$. Some companies sell rather reasonable trip insurance that will get you out of country if you need it. Being prepared and comfortable is a big part of enjoying your trip.

devices ....please share.

[reeses16 8]

Hi, Whidbeygirl. I think Kanyiri's advice to budget $20 is pretty reasonable. I don't know what the exchange rate is like in Senegal. But in Ethiopia you would be able to have nice meals & transport, with money to spare. Transportation will probably be your biggest expense. Taxis get very expensive, so plan your day with the fewest number of trips.

Further, I think it would save a substantial amount of money if you let your fiance handle monetary transactions (taxis, hotel payments). If they know that you are foreign they will charge you more. Black/white it doesn't matter. I am African-American and I've experienced both sides of this. I look Ethiopian, so many times I would get local prices for items and services. But if it was a situation where I had to talk beyond basic conversation, it was clear that I wasn't Ethiopian and I had to pay foreigners price. When my hubby and I stayed in hotels either I would wait in a cab while he got the room or I would go in with him and not speak. That worked pretty well. But one time, after we had been staying at a hotel for a few days, a hotel staff member realized I wasn't Ethiopian and told the check in clerk. The clerk demanded my hubby pay foreigner's price for our room, even though we had paid in full for our stay. My hubby handled the situation, we got our money back and checked in at another hotel. We traveled quite a bit and it only happened once. I am sure the other hotels where we stayed more than a night realized it, but they weren't bold enough to insist we pay a higher price. Anyway, we definitely saved money.

[reeses16 8]

I'm with Omoba...devices? Sounds scary.

But I do have advice about the toilet. I never used squatty potties before. They have this rough surface which indicates where you should place your feet in squatting. You will probably need to place your feet farther apart to avoid embarrassing incidents.

Also make sure you buy small pocket sized kleenex. most people just use water to clean themselves after using the restroom, so you'll be more comfortable if you have some kleenex with you.

[Ta Ta 1]

Wet Charmin travel wipes, small compact and refreshing.