by phil | Sep 11, 2026 | Senegal, Stories
I would normally do some self-censoring here, mainly because of my mom, who tends to worry. But this blog has been inactive for so long that I am fairly certain she is no longer checking up on it. I am, by the way, 41-years-old. On the night of September 1st, a thief,...
by phil | Mar 29, 2024 | Senegal, thoughts
Part of this appeared in our Scoot West Africa Patreon. Senegalese democracy in turmoil — is it the end? This is what we heard for months. The whole thing was about to collapse. Protests had been violently suppressed, the internet repeatedly throttled, and the...
by phil | Jun 6, 2023 | Senegal
It’s not lost on me that we left Mali because of all the question marks around the political and security situation and we are now getting phone calls from friends in Mali asking if we are OK over here in Senegal. We are indeed ok. In the village of Somone, you...
by phil | Jun 2, 2023 | Senegal, Stories
What kind of insightful political commentary can a newly arrived toubab offer up on the situation in Senegal? Yes, that is rhetorical question. I barely have the confidence to write anything about Mali these days. I will be listening and observing and keeping my mouth...
by phil | May 29, 2023 | Senegal, Stories
There is no typical day. We are still trying to figure our lives out over here. But that’s not what you came for. We enjoy hearing about other people’s routines and “typical days.” We can read these with envy but they can also be validating if...
by phil | May 10, 2023 | Senegal
On my first trip to Senegal back in 2011, I remember hopping in a taxi from the airport and hearing mbalax on the radio. It is a frenetic musical genre, vocals soaring over manic sabar drumming. A dj would interrupt the song every five seconds or so, playing the role...
