I went to the zoo again this past weekend with some folks and here are the pictures. Some stellar ones.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?Uc=7cwno9h.945uc0il&Uy=ksk5ys&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&mode=fromshare&conn_speed=1
Sorry for any inconviences this may cause, but my trip home to the States has changed due to some events potentially happening here in late June. As a result, I will be arriving in Atlanta on July 3rd for about a 3 and a half week trip...thanks mom and dad.
Here are some pictures taken a few Sundays ago when I was out at Ngor Island with some friends. The island is about 1 km off the northwest coast of Dakar.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?Uc=7cwno9h.5xfmtggd&Uy=jbnqn4&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&mode=fromshare&conn_speed=1
Here are pictures taken on May 4 in Thies during my host mom's birthday.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?Uc=7cwno9h.3qdidhvx&Uy=-kgmxss&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&mode=fromshare&conn_speed=1
I apologize that it has been so long since my last update. Hopefully, over the course of the next week, I can add a few more posts as well as update my pictures.
In the meantime, I just want to provide yall with an update on my vacation. Due to a potential visit to the garden in late June, there is a good chance I will change my vacation from June 1 - 24 to around June 29 - July 23. With my scheduled vacation two weeks away, I am hoping to know more early next week. I will keep everyone updated when I know more.
After nearly 11 months, I have been graced with a magnificent new refrigerator. I've somewhat forgotten what it is like to have one of my own, but it is a nice new addition to my bachelor pad. Next up...plasma tv with satellite.
There are somethings in my everyday life here that I can easily compare to things in the States. Other things, I am still perplexed every time I experience it because it is so different from the norm in the States. One of those things, despite the headaches they have created, is the events that follow after an automobile breaks down here or an accident occurs.
In the United States, typically after the initial reaction of disbelief, one tries to get their car off the road and onto the shoulder, in order to not inhibit the traffic flow...it sorta just makes sense. Well, that just does not happen here. It does not matter what road or the time of day, you are bound to see a broken down car in the middle of the road. If I got a cookie for everyone of these broken down cars I've seen in the past year, I would not be skinny.
Eventually, somebody might try and help push the car off the road, but typically, people try and fix the problem on the spot. The people who run the Allhums (big white buses) in Dakar often rival many of Nascars top pit crews, able to change a burst tire on a busy road in minutes.
Accidents are a different thing. I've never seen people care so much about a car that has been on its last leg for the past 15 years. Immediately following these accidents, both drivers get out of their cars, investigate the scratch, and then start methodologically yelling at each other. A crowd usually gathers. All of this would be occurring in the middle of the road. After several tense minutes, the guys typically shake hands and are the best of friends.
Just a bit different from the roadways in the US....
I havent forgotten to update this thing. I have some pictures and a few posts that need to go up, but my I havent managed to do anything other than stare at my calender and continuoly count down the days till I return home for a few weeks. Hope everyone is well and hope to get some new stuff up soon.
jland
