Raúl pitches in to help fight hunger in Africa

Apparently, after a little research, this is why I had to tiddy up the garden today. Wish I knew something about soccer.

http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2006/1000446/index.html

Pictures - Hotel Independance

Here are some pictures I took on the roof of Hotel Independence in downtown Dakar. The hotel itself is not as splendid as it once was, but the views from its roof are some of the best in Dakar. Enjoy!

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?Uc=7cwno9h.c6n1ldi5&Uy=-u5omih&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&mode=fromshare&conn_speed=1

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! Hope everyone had a great one. Miss you all and wish I could have been back in the States to celebrate.

RTS Video

Here is a video done of the garden back in May or June I guess. It was shown on Senegalese national tv. Most of the country only gets this one channel. Somebody sent me the link, so Ill post it. I am at the end of it I believe.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5823591961037570085&pr=goog-sl

Wrong line of work apparently

Over the past five or six months I have lived in Dakar, I have somewhat gotten used to the constant harassment and bombardment in the touristy areas. It stinks at times, but there isn't much to do about it other than live through it...it is part of the excitement and fun living in Dakar.

Even at the hospital, sometimes I feel like the garden is a zoo exhibit and I am the main attraction.. There are times when 20 people or so will be looking down from the infectious diseases wing and watch the work being down. I have started to enjoy this aspect of the job, but sometimes feel like I need to get into costume or something.

While these two situations do not bother me much, when the harassment in the touristy areas is combined with grabbing, I start to get upset. The other night, I was on the "Ponty" (major road downtown) and some guy started talking to me and wouldn't leave me alone, even after I told him to. Finally as i was turning away for the 9th time he grabbed my arm. I don' know why he did it cause he didn't grab me hard or anything, but when he did, that is when I got fired up. The finer words of the English language were now coming out of my mouth and the funny thing is, a lot of these guys know them as well as rusty English to try to get your attention. Finally, he got the point when he realized I was pissed a little. When he left, this other guy, who i presume was his buddy or partner in crime comes up to me and asks "why was that guy following you, why wasn't he leaving you alone, why was that guy following you, huh, huh". I asked him why he wasn't leaving me alone and then left. He too followed me and kept asking me questions. Unlike the other guy, this one followed me much longer even as I was weaving back and forth between cars and such. I just don't understand some people.

You know, this is why I have to respect female adult entertainment dancers, formerly known as strippers. While I only know from rumors and stories from people, they apparently have this rule where you can watch, but you can't touch...who would have known. Maybe I am in the wrong profession or something, I don't know.

I just do not get it, just keep your hands to your self.

Ile de Madeleine

Thursday, November 9, 2006

Today, I managed to do my first touristy thing in Dakar, and it proved to be well worth it. I headed to Ile de Madeleine just off the western coast of Dakar with three other PCVs. I had been meaning to go there for a long time now, but just managed to get there today.

I met the other Volunteers at the park office on the mainland after work. I walked there from the garden and managed to get my self lost in the University complex. I had never really been deep inside of it, so that in and of itself made the day worthwhile.

Once at the office, we got in a pirogue and took a 20 minute ride out to the island. We had a pick-nick lunch that we brought ate it when we arrived.

After lunch, we swam some and then explored the island. While it is not a huge island, it has a lot of character and can be tricky to navigate due to its rockiness.

We stayed at the island for about 3 hours and I realized that despite having little shade, that amount of time was not enough. It was so strange to be one of four people on this island and then look across the water at the 2 million inhabitants of Dakar. It was so quiet and peaceful there that made it difficult for me to comprehend where I was.

I highly recommend that you click on the link a few posts down and view the photos of my trip to the island. Words do not give the beauty found on the island justice.

Books Recently Read

Over the past couple of months, here are the books that I have read:
- Cradle and All - James Patterson
- Violets Are Blue - James Patterson
- Isaac's Storm - Erik Larson
- Mountains Beyond Mountains - Tracy Kidder
- Beach Music - Pat Conroy
- Diamond - A Struggle For Environmental Justice in Louisianna's Chemical Corridor - Steve Lerner
-Kiss The Girls - James Patterson

Big ass bag of rice

In the US, there really is not just one staple food. In my diet in the States, I am sure all you would find in my belly would be fried chicken and potatoes. Typically, this is not the norm for most Americans I'd suspect.

Here in Senegal, the norms are much different. There is a staple food product and it is called rice. While everyday for the past 9 months I have eatin it, it never really occurred to me how much was consumed because it just goes down so good.

Well, when I walked into the kitchen at my house the other day and saw the bag of rice, I realized the Senegal is truly a "Theb" Nation. These bags are 50 Kg or over 100 pounds and families go through them rather quickly. I doubt Sam's or BJ's carry bags of rice this big.

If I could have a 50 Kg bag of Weaver D's for Christmas, it would be amazing, but instead, I suppose I will settle for 100 pounds of gift-wrapped rice.

Where is the light?

It is kind of weird here. My mental clock tells me that it is still March and that the Final Four is a few days away. In reality, I am dumb and it is November and college bowl season is just around the corner.

I say this because I am having difficulty with the concept of time. In the States, you have something called day lights savings time, but not here in the plains of Senegal. It would be pretty cool if they did have it here, because lately it has started getting dark early and by 7:30, I am struggling to keep my eyes open. The nights when dinner doesn't start till around 10, I have to be woken up.

I guess I am starting to become an old dawg.

Pictures

I hope that everyone is having a great weekend and that the Dawgs are miraculously pulling through today. I was intending to post a few things today, but I forgot my piece of paper with my notes and topics to write. As a result, the only thing I am able to provide are pictures at the moment. They are from softball last weekend and then my trip to Ile de Madeline (one of the coolest places I've ever been to).

Softball:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?Uc=7cwno9h.8mim16m5&Uy=-gp526n&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&mode=fromshare&conn_speed=1

Ile de Madeline:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?Uc=7cwno9h.6tfhf2yl&Uy=191ig5&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&mode=fromshare&conn_speed=1

Flaming Aces Update

Saturday, November 4, 2006

It has been a tiring day of mixed emotions on the softball field. Many improvements were made by the Flaming Aces from two weeks ago. Despite these improvements, they just were not enough.

The first game, we had to play with a limited roster. One of our girls did not show up, so we had to “borrow one”. Throughout the game, I did not have any action out in center-right field (we play with 4 outfielders). Needless to say, it was a little boring out there, but left field did see a lot of balls come its way. My batting was stellar, going two for two...far different from my little league days. Unfortunately, the opponent was just too much and we got spanked pretty badly. I am unsure of the score and if I did, I probably would not post it. It is much different than the strength found in Team Dalton.

The second game was apparently against one of the better teams in the social league...we changed that though...kinda. I was moved to third base for it. The game, being our second of the day, was a bit tiring, but the Flaming Aces had the rally caps on. We managed to tie the game and it ended that way. No extra innings until the playoffs. I am sure I will reminisce the movie Hardball before we reach the championship.

I was hoping to upload some pictures from the day, but I am having difficulty doing that right now, so sorry.

Leave Changes in Dakar

Wednesday, November 1, 2006

As I have mentioned before, Fall/Winter is slowly arriving here in Dakar. It has been weird. While the changes are far different than those in the States, they are quite noticeable. The onslaught of the season change really just means the rainy season is over and the weather is supposedly to cool down. I say supposedly only because I have yet to take out my sweaters and mittens from under my bed or seen any snow bunnies hitting the slopes of Dakar.

The change has been fascinating though. The grass that was once green is now dead. The streets that were once flooded with water are now covered with sand. Pretty enthralling stuff I must say.

In the developing world, some may think that these changes might end at that, but no, not here in the mighty Dakar. For the past few weeks, workers have been removing all the dead brush that has littered much of the city. It was very nice when it was green, but not yellow and brown. It is grueling work, especially in the heat of the day, which is definitely nothing I aspire to do in my life. This work has ranged from the major streets to even at Hopital Fann. Also, not only has the dead brush been removed, but crews have also been brushing all the streets to remove all the sand. Nobody likes to be sandy.

As a result of this Fall cleanup, my rides home from work have been interesting. To see this beautification endeavor in progress has only put a smile on my face. As a result, I intend to do my own Fall cleanup. In doing so, I hope to shave more often, brush my teeth three times a day, drink lots of water, and always have a fresh haircut.

Hopefully, by the start of Spring, not only will the good looks of Dakar continue to shine, but mine prevail as well.

The Bird

I have been meaning to write about this incident that happened a few weeks ago, but have never gotten around to it. For some reason, a lot of my excitement here in the city happens when I’m on some form of public transportation. This day was no different.

I do not remember the details, but obviously something happened to upset someone. All of a sudden, I saw the moneyman on the Allhum give the guy in the car behind us the middle finger. It was one of the funniest things I have seen in-country.

In the States, you see the middle finger every once in awhile. Also, it is typically no shock to see it. Even with all of the commotion and confrontations that I have seen here, I had never seen it.

So, when I did see it, it was a funny moment. Even with whatever so-called upheaval going on, I was laughing.

I guess when you go so long with out seeing or thinking about certain things, you find it funny when you do...even if it is the bird.