“Let’s face it an unarmed white man travelling alone across Africa what are the chances of making your trip WITHOUT being killed, raped or robbed? Pretty slim. I commend Gostelow however naïve he is.”
Trust readers of your local newspaper to support you. The story of my machete attack was splashed across the front page of the Dorset Echo last Thursday. I’m glad to say other readers posted more positive comments than the one above. In actual fact the chances of being robbed of something in Africa, if you’re here long enough, are probably quite good – killed, raped or attacked by a machete however is a different matter. I wonder if this commentator has ever stepped onto the continent or been following my travels to date? I doubt it.
The final stitches come out later today. In another week the splint supporting my wrist will be off too. I’m feeling more active, which at the same time means more restless.
There has been no word from the police regarding the theft of my camera and belongings, nor the capture of those machete-wielding savages. I had little hope from the beginning. That particular stretch of Dakar’s corniche, highlighted on my map, will witness another attack I have no doubt. I hope the next victim is less resistant to giving up their belongings than I was, or reads something like this before going.
Earlier in the week I promised a selection of favourite photos from Africa. Here they are. Many thanks to those who’ve offered to contribute towards replacing the stolen camera. My trip feels incomplete without one.
Comments
@Paul Walker, I was/am interested to tell the story. Regards the local press, they seized on the story after someone had alerted them.
@Peter, Thanks for filling in the gaps. Of course you have my sympathy. I commented because I recalled a remark you made on ‘Twitter’ (March 16th – “Anyone know of papers/magazines/radio interested in the machete story? I have time to fill over the coming weeks”) and assumed it was yourself who had contacted the press.
@Paul Walker, Hi. Thanks for your sympathy and bringing this up. Just so that you know, it wasn’t me who contacted the press, but someone who follows this website. As for reporting what happened the night of the attack, the article was pretty accurate. It is a little annoying that the local press should seize upon the story and portray such a negative view of Dakar and Senegal. To be honest I really don’t think the tourist industry of this country will be affected by Dorset’s Echo and Western gazette readers picking up on this story.
I have walked around hundreds of cities/towns at night with no problem. Here in Dakar, at least that particular area, it is not safe to be walking at night with a camera around your neck. It wasn’t very late, 8pm, but dark as you say. I was exposing myself to a risk that I didn’t need to.
As for the two other incidents – the door of my hotel room was closed. Another door onto a balcony 5 metres above the road was open. I do not think it was careless to have left this door open and I still think it incredulous that someone managed to shin their way up the wall onto the balcony at 4am. Concerning the compact camera – pure carelessness on my behave – guilty as charged.
My concern is for the innocent Senegalese, especially those employed in the tourist industry, whose livelihoods might suffer as a result of your publicity in the press. What purpose did it serve to tell the newspapers? Surely you would have known they would not give the full story.
They didn’t mention the circumstances in which you were robbed 3 times: they didn’t say you were in a market with the camera visible in your bag; or that you were sleeping with your door open; or that you were out walking in a city in the dark with a camera around your neck.
hello Peter, tough luck re the machete. it is good to hear about the amazing response and your recovery.
i just wanted to offer my observation that the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 is a fine, smaller camera with an amazing lens. May actually be a safer alt to the slr set up. fits in a pocket, etc.
best of luck, ive been following your blog for years with great enjoyment. gt
Hi Peter,
We’ve been avid readers of your CGOAB blog and I was shocked and sorry to hear about your experiences in Senegal and also to read the creepy white supremacist comments that you linked to. Maybe you’ve now used up a full quota of bad luck for the trip and the rest will be smooth as silk. Here’s hoping it is! Rose
@James, Hi. At one stage I envisaged teaming up, but you jumped ship and headed off. Thanks for getting in touch. Head space, clarity, time – all key factors when you’re on the road for a while. Keep in touch
Brother keep your head up.
I can’t tell you how much I am astonished by your drive. I became stranded in the Canaries earlier in the year and had to evacuate my trip into Africa. With no money and no outs I came back to America. I think you were in Morocco at this time. I was so pressed just to make the jump but I couldn’t find the power. I think alot of these trips takes maximum head space and clarity. Something at that time I didn’t have. I wish you the best keep moving forward and I believe 110% in your mission. Sometimes we hit patches but in the end we will prevail. You will prevail.
Godspeed,
James
i am feeling so sad cause you are ill , I hope you will have the streght to go ahead. keep riding forever.
greetings from mexico
@Joolz Arbuckle, Actually, the humans put the color on things. Northern Africa is relatively pale in her colors, rich in the way that all deserts are, to those who develop an eye for that environment. I was thinking of that myself as I watched the slideshow, how those colors are signature of N. Africa. The shot of the fishing boats near the big mosque in Dakar could have been taken most anywhere along the coastline of Senegal. If I painted one of my buildings in that tempera-color yellow, it would stand out like a sore thumb here in the States, but it’s relatively common in Africa, for that style of building.
What always amazes me is the beauty of their smiles.
Beautiful photos – I’m glad you didn’t lose them along with your camera! Africa strikes me as very colourful and vibrant; and the light is lovely and clear.
Wishing you the best in your recovery and the remainder of your trip.
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