LONG TIME NO POST

Hey all...I am really sorry haven't updated this in awhile. It's been more me trying to lve it up here then anything else. Either way I am sorry. I wish I had more time to blog, and there might be some retrospective posts when I get back that I have written out.

Well Salif and I are on our vacation(and you all thought this was my vacation, HA). We are in transit to Casamance. Don't read up on it too much everyone, all the stories aren't true. However, it is meant to be gorgeous. We are taking the boat from Dakar to Ziguinchor. Then taking a pirogue down to Cap Skiring, aparently the best beaches in Senegal. So far so good. Got into Dakar yesterday and are staying at an Auberge for about 6000 CFA a night. Not bad at all. I already miss Saint Louis though; family, friends, and the Talibes. It's going to be weird going to a lush green area after spending 2 mois in the Desert. Probably will remind me a lot of home. I haven't been graced by the feeling of rain drops on my skin in awhile. It's the little things in life...

Before we parted we had the pleasure of attending the Saint Louis Hip/Hop and Rap festival. All the youth were out because it was free. We heard some Reggae sets that had everyone buzzin'. It was nice to see everyone jamming out. Mister Bronson was chilling per usual. The music is one thing I haven't touched on. It's a mixture of reggae/rap/r&b/african drums/and more. It does really grow on you qnd to not hear djembés in the background of songs is going to be weird (and missed).

It's funny that I have been here for quite awhile, and yet it seems like time has just flown by. I don't really have the words to describe the way time and space work here, but it flip flops. Salif and I talk quite often about this. Other volunteers come for a month and they are gone so quickly. At the same flip of a coin, an event could seem like it was weeks ago, but in qctuqlity it only happened in the morning. Don't think I will ever figure that one out.

I got some Africanverses as well...paid 6000 cfa for 'em. The guy priced them at 25000. I came back with 7000. He returned with 15500. I dropped to 6000. He was so confused after this and responded but had said 7000. My response was that now I am saying 6000. Don't jerk me around man, this Toubab didn't just step off the Sept-Place. I live here. I enjoy bartering and am going to miss that as well.

Well I will try to update again sometime soon. Take it easy everyone. I miss you all.

Song of the Moment: Love is Wicked - Brick & Lace

PS: I have been called a Gnar twice in Dakar so far. Once by a rando on the street and another by a female bartender. I think she was just flirting with me. I don't really take it as a compliment here. I'd rather be a tanned Toubab. People more often assume I am Spanish. After, Cap Skiring I think even our mom is gonna think I am a blue eyed Moor. However, if we go to GNaritania to visit Al Qaeda in the Ladgreb I'll be thanking my lucky stars I am sure.