Into week 3....

Brazilian Churassco dinner...

Brazilian Dinner with our New friend, Megan! She knows all the good spots after only being here for 2 months!

Lunch at Resto Point E....(with Megan and Delvin)

Local's Bus Transport (not recommended for tourists)...

A horse standing by his cart/trailer...

Lunch at Resto Point E...we had the 'special'...notice the teeth on that fish!!! It was really tasty though!!Sides of rice with a pepper on top, with chopped onion, tomato, and peppers (salsa-like)

The pink drink is Jus de bissap (a very sweet local juice)

Well, its hard to believe we've actually been here for almost 3 weeks now, yet the day we arrived seems so long ago! We are still in the hotel (grrr!) due to some funding and finishing of our apartment...but we are told that next week, we should be able to move in. (We shall see). Again, not complaining (really), cause we've heard some horror stories of families with 4 kids and a dog waiting for months for their place (yikes!!)...so its hard for me to justify complaining, when we have everything we need right here, eventhough its expensive.

I feel like we've really learned so much in these 3 weeks...how to get around (by foot and taxi), how to get the street vendors to back off, how to order food, how little to tip the servers (no 10-20% like the US), how to ask for finger nail polish remover...you know, all the necessary things!!! HA!

Getting around: if your going by foot, walk with a purpose and like you know where you're going (even if you don't!). If you look lost, you will be swarmed by people wanting to 'help'...which means they will expect that you'll buy something from their shop, give them a tip, etc. We've learned that people on the street love to talk to yo, yet there is almost always and alterior motive! (usually leading you to buy something). When taking a taxi...first find one that doesn't look like its going to fall apart!!! Seriously, I think they get these cars from the US demolition derby!!!! Yet, somehow, some way...they get you where you need to go. Also, you have to tell the driver what you will pay. Asking them 'how much', opens the door for major price gauging!! Being of pale skin = sucker!!

Street Vendors: Unfortunately the best way to avoid them is to ignore them. This coming from someone who likes to talk, is very sad. But if you show an ounce of interest, they WILL walk a mile with you! A simple, "no, merci" (no thanks), works ok. I've started coming up with alternate phrases just to make them laugh...they ask if I'm from the US...and I say "non, je suis chinois!" with a smile ( I am chinese!!) HAHA! They laugh, and then realize that I can understand them, and that I speak a little French. They seem to think that Americans can't speak French, or just won't take the time to learn. So there is sort of a silent respect when you speak their language. Most of the people here in Dakar also speak Wolof! A whole new ballgame!! We've learned a few phases in that as well...again, just to show respect. We ARE in THEIR home, so I feel like we must conform to their standards!

Also, the street vendors sell the most RANDOM things! One guy will walk by with Scrabble in one hand and a lamp in the other...he next guy will have a cage with about 20 tiny birds in it (What would I do with a tiny bird...and if I DID wantt one, how would I get it home!)...the next guy will have flip flops and sunglasses...and the next will have teapots and dish towels!! Seriously, where do they get their inventory???!!!! (its quite entertaining though!)

Yes, I had to figure out how to ask for fingernail poish remover here at the hotel's beauty shop. I didn't expect to be in the hotel this long, and the polish on my nails was dreadful by week 2...so, thanks to the iphone and internet, I found the phrase!! They figured out what I needed, and just let me use the remover, without any charge! YEAH for small victories!!!!

We've had quite to array for food here in Dakar! There is a lot of fish/seafood (which I love!), and everything is made with LOTS of oil, or butter, or sugar...in other words, most dishes are pretty heavy in my standards. Each meal is either French or Senegalese...BUT, I have to admit that we have not had a bad meal! We've also learned that some places are just really expensive, and some places are very cheap for a ton of food...you just have to figure out where to go...or ask someone who has already been there! Justin is now calling our "Lonley Planet's - Senegal & the Gambia" guidebook, "The Bible"! It has never steerded us wrong!! Maybe we should buy stock! HA!

We also got to experience a sort of "Secret Society" dinner this weekend!! A Brazilian family, here in Dakar, hosts a dinner at their house about every 2 weeks. You get on their list, and they text your phone about 3 days before the event...and you have to text back with the number of people in your group. Its a flat 10,000 cfa per person (~$20) for all you can eat...and they mean business!! Its hosted on the rooftop patio, which was very nice! They had 3 tables full of 'side' dishes...everything from salad to lasagna (and everything in between). So, of course, you have to try a little bit of everything! Then servers come around with all different types of meat...you just point at the part you want, and they cut a piece off for you! Beef (shoulder, chest, back, and hearts), Pork, chicken (all parts and hearts), and aparently there was Water Buffalo...although I have no idea if I tried it!! It was all spectacular...and we taxied home with quite the food hangover!! Its called Brazil Churassco...and yes, we WILL go back (now that we are on the list!)

We have also gone to doing laundry in the sink or bathtub!! The hotel charged us $150 for what I call a small load of laundry...so....the undies and workout clothes are just gonna have to be cleaned in the tub for now! Finding places in the hotel room to hang them to dry is the challange!

And yes...with all this eating we are doing...working out is essential!! HA! Thankfully there is a gym close to the hotel, and a decent street behind our hotel to run on! BUT its pretty hot out, so sweating buckets is unavoidable!! Again, the people here are very big into fitness as well, so they are always happy to see us working out!! Our pool guy is a 49 yr old retired firefighter who runs 10k 4 times a week...and looks about 35! (motivation!)

Anyways...enough of my blabbing...enjoy the pictures!

More pictures from the holiday weekend...

More pictures from the holiday weekend and time spent out at Goree Island!

(Independence Day Parade, and Easter Weekend)

Holiday Weekend!

We had fun weekend, filled with sights, sounds, and tastes of Dakar and Goree Island! Saturday night we had a dinner at a local resturant called "Le Cozy". Following our western standards of dinner around 7pm, we showed up at the location, only to be the first people to arrive! They sat us at the bar and we ordered drinks, while staff trickled in to begin their shifts. So the norm around Dakar and surrounding areas...dinner begins sometime between 8-9pm! The inside of Le Cozy was very similar to an LA or Vegas Lounge! With its Jazz Music theme, color pallet of red, white and black, and dramatic setting...we looked at each other and asked, 'Are we still in Dakar?' This has become sort of the norm with all of the eateries around town...very unassuming, with maybe a wooden sign on the outside, but quite nice and welcoming on the inside. And as patrons finally began coming into the restarant, we also realized that it is one that draws a very nice, and well-dressed crowd. Justin had the shrimp risotto, and I had fish stuffed with cheese and shrimp! They were both extremely great meals!! We were both so happy with our choices, and headed back to the hotel.

On our walk back, we noticed a large group of people...with torches...chanting and singing. Not so sure of what was going on, we treaded causiously toward the noise, only to find that it was the Senegalese Military men and women beginning the celebration of Independence! We stood on the sidewalk watching them, as they marched in circles while singing...with a group of about 20 behind them on horseback. Justin was able to converse with a Policeman standing beside us to get all the details...just again to highlight the fact that Justin can have full conversations in French!! I'm always so impressed! The policeman even had to ask where we were from, because we looked like Americans, but spoke French!

April 4th was the 50th year Celebration of Senegal, Africa's Independence...and a very proud time for them! Rev Jesse Jackson was here to participate in the festivities, and stayed at our hotel with his large entourage. We even met and shook hands with him while sitting at the hotel bar!

On Sunday, we decided to get out of the city and head out to Goree Island....a very small island off the East side of the peninsula. The ferry ride cost us 5,000 cfa (about $9) and only took about 20 minutes - the island isn't big enough for cars! Another US Military guy, Ken (just in Dakar for a couple of weeks), Justin and I, wondered around the very small town, and visited the local museums. There was an old fort and old slave house at one end, and the remains of a castle at the other end, all with exhibits of the island's history. Very interesting and worth the visit. We grabbed some lunch, and were even able to watch the local Independence Parade through town! It was so cute - All the kids lined up with their schools, soccer teams, dance groups, etc., and marched through the middle of town to their anthem, as the Mayor and officials announced them. We just couldn't get over how many kids were there!! I had to stand up on a tree trunk to see over the crowd and was even joined by a little boy dressed in his soccer jersey. I asked him "do you play soccer?"... a smile, and a "Oui" (yes)...then I asked "Are you good?"... an even bigger smile accompanied a "Oui!" (obvious questions and answers, I know, but I couldn't help myself, cause he was just so cute!)

It was also a big weekend in sports here! Le Leut is the local sport...and seems to be similar to judo...in sand, and without the suit. The men wear very little, and are very fit! They are assigned in weight classes and have a ref overseeing the match. From what we could gather, the goal is to get your opponent to the ground...and we think their shoulder or back has to touch the ground, but not sure! We watched it on the hotel bar's Big Screen TV, along with many other obvious fans!

Anyway...that's it for now...enjoy the pictures :)

Pictures of Place de l'Independance

Local gas station...just behind it is the ferry port to Goree Island.

Local wildlife!! Lots of cats around here...no mice or rats in sight!

Le Marche Kermel...local vegetables, fish and meats...(VERY STINKY!!!)

Chamber of Commerce Building

At the North end of Place de l'Independance (our hotel is at the south side to the left, but its hidden behind other buildings). The cars in front of us here are just parked.

More pictures...

Coffee in the room! We picked up some Skimmed (ecreme) Milk, instant coffee (Nescafe is the most popular here), and some sweetener! A pretty tasty latte!

The flowers around the pool...so pretty!

The Presidential Palace from the pool dock...

Begin the weekend...

The dock by the pool and sites from it...the gym we went to is right beside the "lagoon 1" which has the white canopies on it.

Justins' office by the pool... one of the resident cats (of about 4)....

Thursday evening, we were able to go to a little local gym! It sits right on the beach and is quite small. Just enough equipment though, to get in a decent workout! I did Eliptical and weights...until the guy who runs the place (Leemon) decided that I need to do some ab excercises with him! HA! He is very nice, and speaks little enlish, but we seem to understand eachother ok. Justin was able to converse with him much more! Dinner at the hotel that night...all their dinner choices have been yummy!

Friday was a day to catch up, relax, and prepare for the weekend! Justin is working on his POI (Plan of Instruction) prepared to turn into the neccesary people. Its more or less his plan for the year, to include; all of our travel, significant places to visit, culture emersion, language training, etc. The challenge is...the budget he has been given is proving to be quite short of what is needed. We are learning that the flights to anywhere from here are expensive, so he is forced to get creative!

We got up and decided to try a new place for breakfast! We've heard the Palmerie is good...so off we went to brave something new (a daily occurance!). The Palmerie turned out to be one of the best so far!! We both ordered the Formule N 5...which was: cafe (expresso) or Caffe au lait (coffee and milk), les oeuffs plat (plain egg omlette), orange presse (fresh pressed orang juice) or demi pompleomouse (half grapefruit), and lets not forget the 'pain' (bread)! There is bread with everything!!!! And lots of it! Its usually some sort of bagette or rolls with butter on the side.

We spent the afternoon by the pool, reading, checking emails, people watching, etc. The weekends are very busy at our pool! There seems to be many vacationers here for the long holiday weekend...which makes the people watching even more fun! The kids all speak French, and I'm happy to be able to understand them...most of the time! HA! A definite Europoean crowd...which means all the men are in speedos...many sites I could live without!

Yoga in Dakar...

We were invited to go to a yoga class last night! Its taught by a very nice Canadian lady, who teaches the classes in her apartment several times a week...for FREE!! There were about 15 of us there!

As the pictures show, her place is near the top of her building, and has quite a view of the city...this is late evening just before sun-down. (and yes, its quite smoggy).

She just moves the furniture out of the large room, and we lay our mats down on the grey and white marble floor...then off to tranquility....as she talks us through a series of poses, breathing excersises and relaxing moves, all with soft yoga music in the background. A much needed break from our daily stresses! Fantastic!! (Thank you Megan for letting us in on this!)

We were also able to get local cell phones yesterday! Justin had fun trying to communicate what we needed to the non-english speaking staff at Orange (the local cell service)...and was successful! Now we can stay in contact with each other and all the new friends we've made! We will just have to actually purchase those little cards that everybody is selling on the streets to keep minutes on them...which I'm sure will be interesting!

Another fun note...the President actually passed by our hotel twice yesterday! (His palace is only a few blocks from us) He is led by a sirened motorcycle policeman, and many 'official' cars. Traffic is stopped until the entourage moves through...some of the people watch and clap as he goes by...others barely acknowledge.

We are finally getting into a normal sleeping pattern...thankfully feeling less fatigued each day!