local pics...

These are some pictures from the Institute Francais...its quite an oasis in the busy city! They have a great little outdoor restaurant, an outdoor theater for concerts and plays, and a tranquil library for anyone interested!

"Respect Nature, it is very important"

'Welcome"
Just outside the Library...(3/29/10)
Tree in the middle of a road!
Justin in front of one of the local trees...

More pictures...

Ca Va?

Ca va? Literally means...'It goes', but is used with Bonjour (hello), as a "how are you?" Respond with "Oui, ca va" (yes, its going) or "ca va bien" (its going well)...and can end with a "merci" (thank you)...and/or "et vous?" (and you?)...just some of the frequent vocabulary lately!

Another day in the city...we were up and out this morning for some chores. It was breakfast at Times Cafe (NY themed cafe close to the hotel), (a double expresso and almond croissant for Justin, and a cafe latte and plain omelet pour moi) which we have grown a liking to, then off to the grocery (called Casino) to get some snacks and water for the room.

Things are quite expensive here, so its nice to have some quick bites in the room in between meals. However, even going to the grocery is economical, yet expensive! We picked up some crackers, cheese, tuna, quart of milk, yogurt, coffee, sweetener, pastries and water...31,000 cfa which is equivalent to about $60! No wonder everyone is broke around here! Also, the food tax is 18%! There isn't income, property or other taxes here, so its about the only way to collect for government.

Then hung out by the pool to get some planning and studying done. The staff is very nice and accommodating...they even put up with my very broken French!! HA!

On the other hand, we had out first pick-pocketing attempt on us yesterday. There are many types, and this one was "The pant tug". We were heading back from a very tasty lunch when two guys selling t-shirts were passing by...one grabbed Justin's pant leg and began to tug and shake (the distraction), while the other tried to reach into his opposite pocket. Luckily, Justin's quick thinking was to cover his pockets right away. It was very quick and unsuccessful, but a bit unsettling. I was right behind Justin when it happened and just sternly said, "Excuse me?!!" with the thought of kicking the guy, but unsure of how many could become involved. Again, the attempt was very short-lived, and no one was hurt in any way. We ARE in the city, and it could have happened anywhere in the US just as well. Just keeps things in perspective. Justin even commented, "can't be mad at them, they are just trying to feed their families". We have learned to walk with a purpose, and unfortunately, to just ignore the offers.

I did get to go to one of the local gyms the other day! One of the ladies that works at the Embassy invited me to tag along with her to do a "Body Pump" class - sure I'm up for it!! There were 2 very fit and jovial male trainers leading the class. We assembled our stations with a mat, a step, a bar, and some barbell weights. The instructors would go over the moves we were about to do, then turn on the music...and away we went! They would sing along with Kelly Clarkson's 'I do not hook up', (the whole class was American Pop music) while counting the many reps (encore = again). We worked every major muscle group...and I am sore in a great way! We then attempted to do the "Step" class following "Body Pump". The first 15 minutes (The warm up) was great...then the very fit female instructor got very coordinated, and lost me! My inability to put my feet where they were supposed to go in some sort of pattern...got the best of me! Oh well, I put in the effort anyway.

We are going to try a yoga class tonight...lets hope I am better at that than "Step"!!! :)

Well, I was hoping to add some more pictures, but the computer isn't allowing it...next time I guess...

Au revoir pour maintenant...(Goodbye for now)...

Pictures from the first 24 hours...

the Ocean by the pool
Justin by the pool...hotel on the hill behind him
Newly built Statue (larger than the Statue of Liberty)
One of the views...
Another View, The downtown center

The first 24 hours in Dakar...

Well, we've gotten through our first 24 hours in our new home in Dakar, Senegal!! Our sleeping schedule is completely backwards! Justin and I layed in bed lastnight, wide awake, and tried to talk eachother to sleep...practicing our french phrases! I've never had a hard time sleeping, so it was very strange to me to lay in a very dark room, tired, yet unable to drift off to sleep. I think its safe to say that we both have a lot on our minds...so the busy thoughts in our heads are winning over sleep.
We had a very full first day! Were picked up from the airport at around 5am, by an Army Major, (Delvin) and taken to our hotel. Thankfully, they were expecting our early arrival! We got all our bags to the room, then made plans to meet up with Delvin at 11am, so we could try to get some rest. It took us quite a while to get to sleep, but managed to get in a couple of hours. Delvin picked us up and took us on a driving tour to get our barrings...lots to absorb! Our first meal in Africa was Thai food!! HA! Very good, and just like home! The hotel is very nice, overlooks the water, and has a really nice pool and cabana area! I will try to attach some pictures soon! The weather is warm and humid, but actually very pleasant. It is quite smoggy right now, but we're told that its just dust that has blown in lately. It just looks sort of overcast. We've been warned to not drink the water...so we order bottled water wherever we go, and make sure that we are the ones breaking the seal on the bottle. Brushing your teeth with bottled water takes some thinking outside the normal habits! After lunch, we went to the US Embassy to meet everyone there, and were given badges for future access. All very nice people...just a lot of "butt sniffing" as Justin and I call it. Everyone wants to know where you came from, where you've been, what you do, etc. We were trying to play it off, but they could all tell that we were very tired! Our "Social Sponsors" are a couple that work at the Embassy...Brooks and Kate. Brooks used to be a Marine, (now works for the state department) and was actually in Justin's OCS and TBS classes in the beginning of the Marine Corp 9 yrs ago!! Small world!! His wife, Kate, has been a tremendous help to us. Her and I emailed back and forth with questions before we came over. After leaving the Embassy, we made plans to meet up with Brooks and Kate for a drink and a quick dinner. Thankfully they live right across the street from our hotel!... The street to cross is FULL of people trying to sell their good to you...so there was a lot of "No, Merci" (no thank you) as we crossed. And they are persistent! Reminds me of the Bahamas and Jamaica actually.... Brooks and Kate made a couple small pizzas and we had some of the local beer, called Flag, pretty good! Their apartment is very nice and spacious, and they have extended their offer to help us out in any way. (ie. to do our laundry, or just hang out there, if we get tired of the hotel). So grateful to have them close right now! I am writing this in our hotel room at about 11am here (6am East Coast, 3am West Coast time...so I'm a little off). Justin and I had breakfast here in the hotel this morning before he met with Delvin to go back over to the Embassy for some more meetings. A very nice buffet with lots to choose from...and sat outside on the patio overlooking the ocean...drinking a double espresso! Think I'm going to meet up with Kate, while Justin is off doing his thing...then dinner tonight with Brooks and Kate, and a get together on Saturday with the Embassy folks...

**Some observations and interesting facts:...cows wonder freely and eat whatever they can find...there were cats walking around inside the airport...there are horse drawn carriages, and the horses are really small compared to the US...there are no real driving rules...there is lots of new building going on...some buildings look like could fall over at anytime...its really bad to take someone's picture without asking because they think it takes their soul...and we've been told that we will definitely get sick at some point (meaning the runs), because everybody does when they move here...carrying 10,000 CFA bills which is actually only $20...don't drink the water...phrase of the day "sans glacons" (without ice).

Arrival in Dakar...

Hey there!! Just a quick note to let you know that we made it safe and sound!! It was actually some of the smoothest traveling I've done all year...and I've done A LOT of traveling!! We got into Dakar and hour early! There was an Expeditor waiting for us when we arrived...she just helped us with the little bit of paperwork, shuffled us through customs and helped to get our bags. Very nice lady! Then an Army Major picked us up from the airport and brought us to out hotel (Pullman)...took about 20 minutes since there was no traffic. It was still dark out, so we didn't get to see a whole lot on the drive. The hotel is very nice and modern, very clean as well. Got in about an hour nap then showered...ahhhh feel much better! Already had the first head scratching moment...can't get my curling iron to work! HA!

Maj. Jones is going to pick us up in a little bit to go to the Embassy....just so we can get all checked in and let them know we are here.
Also...the flights were great! We even had a celebrity on the plane! Jack Hannah and his crew, from Jack Hannah's Animal Adventures (a show thats usually on Saturday mornings). I recognized him right away! :)
Anyway....all is well, and we are excited to get out and see!!!! More later!
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