Okay...That is Really Freaky...

At Reserve de Bandia

Car Rapides

All around Dakar, you see a form of bus transportation called a car rapide. These colorful buses are always chugging along the streets and spitting out people and black exhaust. The bus 'stewards' hang off the back of the bus, collect money from the riders, and communicate with the driver (since they are all the way in the back, and the driver all the way in the front) by banging on the metal side of the bus for stopping and starting purposes. The ride is cheap - around 150 CFAs one way, the equivalent of 25 cents or so - and quite fun when you're crammed in practically on another person's lap.

Highlights From a Trip

It was nice having a friend to visit, but alas, Michelle is already gone. It was a short, fun-packed time when she was here. I saw more of Senegal this last week than than ever before. Some highlights:
1) First and second pictures: My coworkers threw a RED themed engagement party that we attended
2) Third picture: Michelle got to meet a lot of my new friends here and joined in the pizza night festivities
3) All the rest: We visited Bandia animal park and got to see some animals in the wild!

Hungarian Champagne and New Bangs

Believe it not, I found some Hungarian champagne in one of the local stores here. So funny! A small bottle was almost $4, but sooooo worth it. Also, Michelle cut my hair while she was here and I now have bangs! I love them.

Albino Crab

Check out this albino crab I saw on the beach the other day. The dude was speedy AND big - probably about 8 inches across!

Toubab Dialao

Michelle and I took a three day road trip down a bit of the coast south from Dakar. We stayed in a cool place in a town called Toubab Dialao where we rested, read a lot, and took a batik class. On the way back to town, we stopped by a bird reserve and Le Village Des Tortues.

Newly Purchased Items

The Riches From a Suitcase

Before she left Scotland, I asked Michelle if she would bring some of my favorite items with her. They include: coffee mugs, a lot of face products, shampoo, make up items, etc. She even brought a bag that I left in Scotland because I ran out of room when traveling to Seattle. So, I've since been reunited with my hair dryer, straightener, and one of my favorite coats (last picture). That coat will come in handy!
I realize I essentially have two of the same photos, but I'm SOOOO happy to have everything she brought! I love looking at everything...twice. Laura, from my old school in Scotland, even made me a mix of African music and Jill sent one of the mugs for me. Thanks to Michelle and everyone. C'est bon!

Michelle's Scottish Perspective

Michelle sent this email out today to her family and friends...

*************************************************************************

Bonjour!
Ce va? That is about all I can say. But, I manage a lot of sound effects and hand gestures to communicate. :-)

It is my first day in AFRICA! I cannot believe I am here. Wild! This morning Crystal and I went and played a softball game (her school as a team). I got on base both times at bat. Yay me since I haven't played in years.

Then we went by her school to a little market. I bought some cool painted cards. I have to see more before I can decide what souvenirs I want to bring home! There are people selling stuff everywhere and weaving baskets and walking with baskets on their heads. It is very interesting!

We also drove around a bit and it is a trip. Very projects, but real. There is a lot of beauty within. The women are gorgeous with their elongated bodies and high butts. I am jealous! They wear normal clothes and/or typical African dresses and head wraps. On the streets there are nice SUV's mixed in with some horse and carts. It is quite green here right now because it is the end of the rainy season. Lots of gorgeous plants and trees and flowers. Oh my! There are corner stores (Minute Marts/7-elevens in the states) that are made of make-shift materials barely holding together and many with no lighting at night. You can get your fruit and veg here, along with bottled water and Fanta. Man, pop tastes so good here because it is so hot! Suh- weaty. There are lots of people everywhere and we wave at everyone and say bonjour to stay friendly with all of Crystal's peeps in the hood.

She bought a long wall mask today that looks like it is from the set of Survivor and a wooden statue thing that is actually an initiation hat worn by boys becoming men in the their jungle/forest education to become men. I'll try and get a photo of it on Crystal's head. :-)
Tonight we are attending an engagement party for a couple at her school and tomorrow we are heading south to sightsee.
I will write more later!
Love you all!
xoxo
Michelle

Hip Hop Dance Party!

Stacey is cool (she's featured in the last picture). Her birthday is next week, and she came up with the brilliant idea to have a HIP HOP DANCE party to celebrate on the weekend!! DJ Malik B was spinning the tunes (2nd picture), and everyone danced their tushes off. Great fun.

First Visitor

In one week, my first visitor will arrive!

Michelle, my friend from my old school in Scotland, is going to visit Dakar for approximately 8 days. She is on her half term break, and decided to come all the way to Africa for the first time to see me! I feel honored.

Besides being previous coworkers, Michelle and I attended a lot of concerts in Scotland together (Coldplay, Oasis, & James Blunt among others...) and had some fun nights out around town in Aberdeen (which incidentally, was just voted the "worst crime beat" around Scotland - yeah!!) and beyond.

I look forward to seeing you soon, Michelle!

To Scotland...With Love

It is amazing how a piece of you can ache for a place after you leave...even if you never thought you'd feel that way. Such is the case with Scotland.

When I left Seattle for Aberdeen, I missed Seattle everyday that I was gone. Now I'm in Dakar, and there is a part of me that pines for a glimpse of rolling green hills, men in kilts, and a harsh Scottish brogue. (Clarification - I don't miss Aberdeen at all, just the other bits of Scotland!) Of course I still miss Seattle, but at this point, Scotland is more of a recent memory.

The clean, lush beauty that can be found all over the UK is hard to top.

Sao Brasil

My new Friday night hang out is at a pizza place called Sao Brasil. Mmmmm....they make delicious, thin crust pizzas there! My favorite? The vegetarian.

So, I have taken a vow to wear the same dress, my blue and brown Hawaiian print, every Friday that I go there. So far, I have worn it 4 times (or maybe it's 5?). There's no sane reason for the dress fetish except that I simply enjoy doing things like that. Plus, I do like the outfit.

The I WILL WEAR THE SAME OUTFIT TO SAO BRASIL EVERY FRIDAY mania is catching on...some have promised to wear the same pants or shirt to every pizza get together. That just demonstrates to you how cool my new coworkers are!!!!

Il Fait Chaud

Funny thing here...a few people back home have asked me how warm/hot it is here. I usually reply, "80 to 85 degrees, but it feels warmer because of the humidity."

Weeeeeeelllllll, about a week ago, I started the weather portion of an AIR & WEATHER Science unit with my students. We are currently studying about thermometers, and I taped the science kit one on the outside window (to be easily read from the inside).

{Side Note: My new favorite pastime is checking the thermometer...obsessively. It would be very common around this time to hear me exclaim, "Ohhhh! The temperature went up 4 degrees from the last time I checked!" Yes, I am usually talking to myself as well.}

Back to the story - when we checked yesterday the temperature was 96 degrees during the hottest part of the day. Today? 100 big ones!

Now I can more accurately reply to people, "It's anywhere from 95 to 100 degrees here, but it feels warmer because of the humidity."

Shocking that my cold weather body (Seattle first, then Scotland) can handle it.