Surf Shop, Goats, Stacey & Mattress World

Our long board was dinged and needed to be repaired. Good thing there was a shop in Dakar, who knew? Greeted at the front door by goats, the hard to find repair shop was a success. On our way home we passed by the Mattress World. Okay, it's a guy with a bunch on his head. Also featured is our new good friend Stacey. She is from Maine, turning thirty this year, and has spent the last four years in southern California and Brazil. She is super cool, trustworthy, and laughs at my jokes. I hope that all of my good friends from Oregon get to meet her someday. Stacey is also going to Europe with us over Christmas break. Yeah!

Lunch at Lac Rose

After a day of 4x4, ocean swimming, camels, and venders we sat down to a good (but later taxing) lunch. I cooled down with a Bier Gazelle (beer) and the Poulet Yassa (local chicken dish). Gabbie had a eau (water) and Poisson Capitain (fish). The view was nice too.

Camels

Coming back from the beach we spotted camels. Check out Mike getting too close.

The Beach at Lac Rose

As you can see, white sands, little garbage, and almost no people. Check out the video too.

4X4

Lac Rose excursion continued. This is us driving up and over and through sand dunes to get to one of the prettiest beaches I have ever been to. I would never do this at home! Maybe I would.

Lac Rose (Rose Lake)

Today we went on a one hour drive to lac Rose. I guess it is usually pink but since it has been raining so much it's green. Locals get salt from the lake, which looks like hard work. We arrived, parked, and the venders came. I didn't get anything here, phew, it was hard to resist though. Gabbie bought a necklace for her mom. We were at the lake for about a half hour then we deflated the tires and ventured into the sand dunes for some 4X4 "got sand" adventure. Luckily we didn't get stuck! Then we got to the beach and it was beautiful. We all jumped into ocean, played frisbee, threw the ball for Buddy, and then went swimming some more. Afterwards, we found some camels, took some pictures with them, and then went for lunch at the lake. I had a nice time and it was great to get out of the city.

Super Marche

My mom asked what food shopping is like and here is an example. It is called the Casino Super Market and you can buy food, pots & pans, school supplies, underwear, etc. It's kinda like a Fred Meyer, kinda. We don't do a lot of our shopping here, but end up going once every two weeks. There are smaller stores near our house and fruit and vegetable stands. This one is nice too because everything is all in one place as opposed to going to the bread store, then the meat store, and then the stands where the prices aren't marked. I don't mind bartering, most of the time, but sometimes it is nice to just go and get what you need. Plus, the prices are marked here, which just feels fair. My photos feature the wine, seafood, cheese, animal, and fruit/vegetable sections.

La Virage

About a five minute walk from our bungalow is the beach La Virage. Buddy loves playing fetch here and the kids, who are at first very afraid of Buddy, love to throw the ball for him. Usually, when we go, we see people we know. Today we saw colleagues Cory and Thia and a bunch of high school students from our school. Today, two guys tried to tell me in French that it costs money to come to the public beach. I love playing dumb! All I say is, "Je ne comprends pas" smile and walk away. It actually is a very nice beach and I love being so close. Gabbie comes here to surf as well. I haven't been out yet... scared I guess. The woman in the traditional Senegalese dress is a vender. They love me here because I always buy stuff. Today within thirty minutes I bought two necklaces, a wooden mask, and some peanut brittle. I had to pass on the Betty Boop towel, ran out of money. Oh well! Maybe next time.

Itchy

I love our garden but I have to say that the mosquitoes suck! I get bit almost every time I walk outside. Just today I was talking to my neighbor and colleague Deanna and caught two of those suckers on my leg. I hit them both at the same time and said "it's time for me to go in". Collectively I had five bites. I am so glad that I brought some "Sting ese". My mom said she would send me some more too, thanks mom! Seriously, I am kinda afraid at this point. I itch so much all of the time. I frikin' hate mosquitoes! Gabbie says that we are half way through the rainy season and then they'll be gone. I sure hope so because everytime I get bit I think to my self MALARIA YELLOW FEVER. This is stressing me out man!

When it rains, it Pours!

We have been getting a lot of rain lately and for Dakar it is unusual. The houses don't have rain gutters, nor do the streets. Sidewalks are washing out, streets look like rivers, and cars are stalling. I feel bad for the people living in shanties! Mud and Cholera...
We made it home though! The Pajero (Montero) is kicking ass and taking us places. Check out the video taken right outside the gates to our bungalow.