More pictures...

Gambian Market, and street scene...

The National Museum in Gambia....

Justin and a local Navy guy...

Coco Beach Hotel pools and site from the beach...

Coco Beach Hotel...
The local Gambian Brew "JulBrew"...

Catching up....

Coco Beach Hotel...

Happy 32nd Birthday Justin (April 21st)!!

A very sick Jusin, one Friday morning....

Ok...first off...apologies for the delay in blogging!! We are now finishing Week 5 here in Dakar, and lots has happened in the last 2 weeks! I'l try to catch you up without too many boring details!

Justin was able to meet up with some US Military folks that were in town a couple of weeks ago. They met up with the Senegalese Marines to teach and observe some military training outside of Dakar. From the anguish on his face when he returned...its apparent that driving in and out of Dakar is quite the task! They spent about 6 hours in a car that day (3 hours out, and 3 hours back) just to go spend a couple of hours observing. Note: the lengthy car ride is only because the traffic here can be gridlocked for serveral reasons...1) road construction, 2) cars breaking down, 3) taxis picking up or dropping off passengers, 4) cars dodging HUGE potholes, 5) animals in the road..etc. Nonetheless, the concept of little to no traffic rules, can make for an unpleasant roadtrip!!

Unfortunately, Justin endured his first bout of sickness here in Dakar. We have no idea what brought it on...but at about 2am on a Friday morning, he began multiple trips to the bathroom. 2 hours later, he was so dehydrated, that he nearly passed out!! YIKES!!! We called the front desk for medical help, but the answer we got was disheartening..."have someone go buy some medicine." (in very broken english). So we called a colleague for some easy advise..."take a fever reducer, sip some water, and try to hold out until you can go to the Embassy clinic in the morning". So that's what we did. They gave him some rehydration packets (aka fancy gatorade), some asprin, and sent us home to rest. So we turned that day into movie and room service time. Thankfully, the hotel had an English Movie channel! And by Sunday morning, he was feeling back to his old self!! Yeah!

Last week, he was also able to link up with some other Army folks to head down to The Gambia! (its another country, but surrounded by Senegal).It took them about 8 hours, and lots of off-road driving (because of the bad roads), but once there...sounds like they had a good time. They visited the Embassy, the teaching hospital, the National Museum, and some local eateries! They stayed 2 night at Coco Beach, and loved the accomidations...beautiful beach, pools, and wonderful breakfasts each morning. Good thing, cause Justin spent his 32nd Birthday there!!

Back in Dakar, I was running around with my friend, Megan, a Navy Almsted Scholar here for 2 1/2 yrs, who will be attending the college here for her 2nd Masters degree! She arrived in Dakar about 2 months before us, and really knows her way around! She is definitely a go-getter (to say the least)! She speaks fluent french (which is the official language here), and is even taking classes to learn Wolof (a dominant local language). She is a runner, and does crazy 10 mile runs here in town (early mornings, because it gets HOT)...but allows me to join her on the shorter ones! I will blog about our 2 days of productivity shortly...until then, enjoy some pictures!

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...