Day 40: Nightmare border crossing

Soutpiel Safari
John & Jenny
Wed 15 Dec 2010 14:21
Day 40: Tuesday 14 December 2010. Zebrabar, St Louis, Senegal. 
 
This is an interim report to say that have made the transit of Mauritania safely without being kidnapped. We have had an atrocious day today and are too exhausted to write about it.  The only message to others contemplating this trip is DON'T COME THROUGH SENEGAL.  The border crossing is a nightmare, the roads are crap, and the customs will not now recognise a Carnet de Passage at the border. We have got a 48 hour Laisser Passer in which to get out of the country unless we can get it extended.  We can't get into Mali until 22 December. To get it extended or get the Carnet stamped we have to go to Dakar, a city teeming with pickpockets, prostitutes, hustlers and layabouts. We don't want to go there. It is easier just not to come here! More tomorrow.