What a week

Effective Flood Control
Originally uploaded by Mikey Holmes.

Well last Friday was the fishing trip, and then the next day we got up crack o dawn and head out for Toubab Dialaw, a bit south of Dakar on the petit cote. It's a small artist community with a few amazing hostel type places and shops along an amazing beach. This was some of the best body surfing I've gotten into in a long time. The architecture is the type of fun and exciting style that is so exciting to run around and explore as a munchkin. So many hidden corners and private spaces for resting or reading - all with their own feast for the eyes. And what's more, the trees that provided the shade for the walkways were full of nests of birds that were hopping from branch to branch negotiating nesting politics.

During the day we had the option of classes of some sort. I opted for the batik fabric dying class since I'd drummed a bit before and needed something for the walls of my room, which are pretty bare. That night we ate what we could - including couscous and vegetables - glorious fiber-rich vegetables that our GI tracts had been begging and pleading to have for weeks now - and even cake with a rich chocolate sauce! After dinner we lounged a bit and enjoyed some more drumming and dancing. We then chatted with the folks that work there over tea for a couple of hours. Tea here is great. It's tastes wonderful and has such a process to it that I'll describe sometime.

The picture is of the road into Dakar which floods pretty regularly during the rainy season. After taking this back to town on Sunday I went and played frisbee with some folks at the field owned by the American Embassy. It's funny how much it felt like America to be there.

Well, it develops that while I was gone my oldest brother's wife had a daughter! This of course means that this coming Sunday there will be a baptism - so now we're gonna have to find a goat to sacrifice for the naming of the munchkin. And on top of that, the maid quit yesterday so the whole family has just been exhausted.

This Saturday I'm going out again with the fishing guys - wish me luck!