NAS DAILY BOOTCAMP IN SENEGAL

Have you ever heard about this phrase: ‘Living your best life‘?

It is not a utopia. For a week, I lived my best life.

Well, maybe I am exaggerating a bit. Let’s say I was able to get a glimpse of what my best life would be.

You know Nas Daily? This man decided to make a one-minute video every day. He shares them on his Facebook page and has managed to build a community. Nas has organized a boot camp in Senegal. In other words, my country hosted a meeting of creators, photographers and artists from all over the world, from the United States to Asia.

Thanks to a friend, we were associated with him. We were a couple to help. We were just supposed to play the guides, the translators. However, in a country like Senegal where English is scarcely known it was not that obvious.

I was stressed from the very first day. I did not know how to behave. Since I was not alone, it was much easier. With Seydou, it was fine. The first contact was so warm and exciting that the rest of it was naturally.

The first few days, I could not realize how lucky I was. By what combination of circumstances did I end up in this completely different world? People that usually surround me were not happy for me. A lot asked me how come it was not the “Elite” of Senegalese artists and entrepreneurs who took care of them. Is this even surprising?

Anyways, I lived my best life. That week was extremely rich. By spending time with these extraordinary people, I realized that life was extremely short; there is no time to lose. An incessant brainstorming, which is what my days had become. Exchanging ideas, hopes, dreams, projects. Sharing knowledge, talents and skills. New aspirations and goals being created…

With Nas and Alyne, I learned not to waste time anymore. « Life is short « . It is not just a proverb, it’s a reality. There is no time to lose. Do what you love, inspire others, be faithful to yourself. That is what’s important. I do not tell you to drop everything for your passions. Work for your passions. What we do must be motivated by what we like to achieve our goals. I learned to enjoy my life the fullest. Always be positive, enthusiastic even when there is no internet and the water is not flowing normally. I was also able to reconnect with my vegetarian lifestyle.

Karam and Agon are the frankest and craziest people I have ever met. They are unique, refreshing and with no masks. They inspire me a lot by their talents, originality and perseverance. As for Jt, he is such a smart person. He taught me that we are never too old to make kids jokes and to always have fun. Sebastien, one of the most talented man. He always has ideas. He participates in everything and is very dynamic. He is a great person to keep around you.

Jerome, my uncle, my friend. I did not expect to get along so well with him. It might be with him that I learned the most. Living for yourself is good, but it is even better when you live with others. His career and his ambitions are inspiring. Thanks to him, I feel strong enough not to give up. Like Jerome, Akshay marked me a lot. He always has something to say. He is one of the most honest and inspiring person I have ever met. He is extremely motivational, aware and friendly.

This boot camp also gave me a brother and a sister. Caleb is my brother, my friend, my partner. He is extremely crazy and friendly. Speaking with him is an infinite pleasure. He has so much to offer. We have the same delusions, the same dreams. He is my crush on this journey. Majida is my big sister, my family. She is the liveliest and charming person I have ever met. She is literally lovely and cares for everyone. Her heart is as big as the world and even more.

I must tell you about Seydou as well, my sidekick. A friend linked us up. It was nice to have another Senegalese to manage because of course I do not know everything. I could not do everything alone. We were together from the beginning until the end, and it was great.

We were not members of the boot camp, but Nas and his comrades welcomed us with so warmly. By the end of the week, it was as if we were members of the boot camp since day one. Everyone was nice to us.

We went around Dakar and its surroundings. It also allowed me to know my country much better. My best memory was surely our visit to Joal and the climbing of the largest tree of Senegal, which is a baobab tree. It is located in the middle of a Baobab forest. The tree itself is more than 850 years old and is 32 meters wide. Around 50 persons can fit inside.

We were eating, making music, photos, videos, discussing, exchanging, dancing, walking, thinking, etc. Thanks to this week, I got a glimpse of what I really wanted. I always had difficulties saying clearly what I wanted to do and what I liked. Today, after spending a week with these amazing humans, I know it. I want to travel, learn, discover and share with the rest of the world.