The African sunset is something very special and must be experienced when you are so lucky to be on the West coast of Africa. And where better to get a good view than from a 100 meter tall hill? …with a 49 meter tall bronze statue on top! The African Renaissance Monument is an absurd creation brought to life by former Senegalese President Wade in collaboration with a bunch of North Korean architects. It is made out of 3 cm thick bronze and has taken no more than 4 years to build (Korean efficiency…?). The scary baby on the ridiculously muscular man’s arm is pointing towards the sea. The monument is said to remind us of all the brave people who have sacrificed their lives for Africa, but why exactly it was build and in those vulgar proportions is a mystery to us all.
Talking about big buildings, it is worth mentioning the Big Mosque of Dakar. Covered in scarfs and boubou-ish clothes (only the women of course) we went to get a glimpse of an important cultural component of Senegal. The mosque is the biggest in Senegal, but is actually quite new. It was finished 1962 and is donated by the Moroccan King Hassan II, hence the Moroccan style. It has separate rooms for men and women, and it is completely stuffed for the big Friday prayer, which is the only day it is open. From the top of the tower you have a perfect view over Dakar. In the tower building they even have weekly Quran school.
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