A Week in Dakar

Close to the guesthouse where we are staying, there is a cactus-lined pathway that leads down to the beach. This morning we enjoyed exploring the rocky area along the coast, and several times this week we've taken walks along a path that runs parallel to the ocean. It's been nice to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather and the views, although the fishy smell in the air (fishermen share the same beach) taints the experience a little bit!

Throughout much of this week Deron has spent time talking with and getting to know the missionaries who are here, while I've been holed up in our room trying to get some work done:

(Pardon the mis-matched clothes ... I've just been taking advantage of the fact that I don't have to get dressed up and go the office!)

Lots of people have invited us to their home for a meal, so that's been a fun way to get to know the missionary families who live here. The Cortimilia family served us their favorite Senegalese meal, called sauce ak yapp (sauce and beef over tiny noodles). It was so good!

Most of this week we've used taxis to get around the ciy. The drivers are tough to bargain with so they are more expensive than the taxis in Ouagadougou or Abidjan, but at least we haven't had to use some of the other forms of transportation found in Dakar: horse and cart...

... and the colorful rapids (pronounced "ra-peeds"), which typically are so crammed full of people that guys are hanging out the back door:

We've also been able to do a little souvenir shopping, including a stop at the shop of Samba, an artisan who sells purses, wall hangings, bedspreads, and other items made of patchworked African cloth. He showed Deron how to draw the baobab tree image that is appliqued on many of his wares:

This week we have also enjoyed:

-- mini-dates to the patisserie for chocolate crepes, ice cream, and delicious pastries

-- movie nights with fellow inhabitants of the guest house

-- heated games of Spades, Balderdash and "Big Booger" (the card game of choice for many West Africa missionaries)

-- meeting the MKs who attend an American school here in Dakar

It's been a great visit but we're just about ready to be home. Exploring Dakar has made us realize how much we still have to explore in our own new city!