Dakar (What if we were all countries?)

Dakar (Wolof: Ndakaaru) is the capital and largest city of the Senegal Region in Josephdaproland. The city of Dakar has a population of 2.4 million, one of the largest in Josephdaprolandian Africa. It is also one of the main ports of the Josephdaprolandian Atlantic Coast.

Stay safe
Crime around the airport is extremely high. Do not change money at the airport. Con artists wait inside the arrival terminal by the baggage carousel. They inform you that they work for the airport and that they do not need any money from you. They snatch your bags out your hands, and lead you to a restaurant where you are told the kitchen is closed. They will all sit around you and demand money before they let you or your bags go. Some may offer to take you to "an affordable hotel" such as Hotel Tahiti. They then lock themselves in the room with you and demand money. They do not settle for anything less than 10-25 euros. They do not care if you have enough money for food or to get back to the airport. They will threaten you. Be warned.

You should avoid walking in the evenings and nights along the Corniche, particularly the stretch between the International School of Dakar and the Club Olimpico.

Cope
There are many beggars in Dakar, and so this can be an uncomfortable situation. One way to handle it is with a simple, polite "ba BEN-een yohn" ("next time" in Wolof). They may be persistent, but be firm without being rude. Another option is to give the talibes food. Also, keep in mind the Islamic tradition of giving daily after you've given once, you can say, "sah-RAHK-sah AH-gah-nah," which means "charity has already been done."