Okay, so I decided to actually go to Chad. Wasn’t exactly top of the usual travel lists, you know? But sometimes you just gotta see places for yourself, get away from the polished stuff.
Getting There and First Thoughts
Getting the visa sorted took a bit of back and forth, wasn’t straightforward, but got it done. Flew into N’Djamena. First thing that hit me? The heat. Just bam, like walking into an oven. The airport was… well, functional. Took a taxi into the city. Dusty roads, lots of motorbikes weaving around, people just getting on with life. It felt very real, very immediate. No grand welcomes, just plunged right in.
Exploring N’Djamena
Spent the first few days just walking around N’Djamena. Didn’t have a huge plan. Headed over to the Grand Marché, the big central market. Man, that place was intense. Packed. You could find almost anything, seemed like. Spices, fabrics, electronics crammed next to live chickens and guys repairing sandals. The noise, the smells – it was a lot to take in. I mostly just wandered, tried not to get in the way. Bought some nuts from a street vendor, pretty good.
Tried some local food. Lots of millet-based stuff, like a thick porridge they call ‘boule’. Had it with some kind of sauce, usually okra or meat. Found a place grilling goat meat on the side of the road – simple, smoky, really tasty. You just point at what you want. Communication was tricky sometimes, my French is rusty and not everyone speaks it anyway, lots of local languages. But smiles and gestures go a long way, usually.
Beyond the Capital (Sort Of)
I wanted to see a bit outside the city. Heard about Lake Chad, obviously, though everyone tells you it’s complicated getting there and, well, the situation changes. Didn’t make it all the way, logistics were tough. Hired a driver for a day trip just to get a feel for the landscape outside N’Djamena. Drove out for a couple of hours. It gets very dry, very quickly. Saw small villages, people farming, herding animals. It was stark, but beautiful in its own way. The resilience of people living in that environment really struck me.
- Spent time just watching street life. Kids playing football in dusty lots.
- Had tea with some guys at a small roadside stall. They were curious about where I was from.
- Navigating transport was an adventure in itself. Shared taxis are the way to go, squeezed in tight.
Wrapping Up the Trip
Look, Chad isn’t easy. It’s not set up for tourists expecting comfort. Infrastructure is basic, things don’t always work, and you feel very far away from home. But that was kind of the point, wasn’t it? It felt raw, unfiltered. Saw the challenges people face daily, but also their dignity, their way of life. It wasn’t about ticking off sights. It was about observing, trying to understand a little bit, and just being there. Left feeling humbled, honestly. It’s a place that stays with you, makes you think. Glad I went, even with the difficulties. It was a real experience, not just a holiday.
