Apologies all around for our quiet over here. Much has happened since our last post and not all of it good. I suggested to a friend that we had had our run of bad luck in threes since our arrival and his quick response was to say that in Senegal you're not limited to three. After his wife gave him a swift (and probably painful) punch in the arm, he retracted his statement to say that we are now heading into good luck from here on out. Let us see. Humor is an important commodity here.
A short comment about our most recent bad luck. Our house was broken into and some of our small electronics were stolen - the camera, the laptop, our cell phones, an ipod and a small amount of cash (apparently our intruders didn't understand that the wife in the house might have all the cash and despite having gone through my purse, they missed the greater amount of grocery money that I keep. They took Carl's paltry cash instead. Hah). They came, they took, they left. We probably interupted them as we were gone for less than an hour. They likely scaled the back wall (and our neighbors guard saw nothing, humph, imagine that!). The house was locked so they busted open a security grate, broke a window and opened the back door. Many lessons learned on that one. We'll be able to replace our things later, our house has been reinforced, and we are wiser for the experience. Hate that. Interestingly enough, we think the peacock was trying to tell us there were intruders as he squawked a number of times before we left and we couldn't figure out what he was doing. Peacocks are territorial like geese and will get protective of what they consider their property (we learned that later, thank you very much). He gets extra corn from here on out.
Last week was spent minding the house and entertaining Matt as break started on the 16th. Hence, he had the one computer most of the time and internet was pretty spotty for us anyway. So it goes.
So, on to better news. Two weekends ago, we travelled to Lac Rose, the pink lake. It was definintely one of the best things we've done since we've been here. Remote, rustic, the friendliest people and none of the hustle and bustle of the city. We rode horses on the beach one day, four wheelers the next. The food was fabulous - a chicken tagine and fresh french bread for dinner. Fresh squeezed juice and fresh bread and jam for breakfast. Simple and lovely. We will go back.
Lac Rose has a small salt mining operation. The lake is pink during the dry season when the water is low and the sun is high. We saw the pink when we arrived. There is a high concentration of minerals that reflects through the water with the sunlight. Close up, it looks rusty.
The dunes we rode through are the same dunes where the Paris to Dakar Rally used to end. The race is no longer run because of the dangers north of here. I'm pretty sure Matt was thinking he was racing the rally over the dunes. It was exciting. We came over one dune and found a Touareg with his camels. Although I found the camels interesting, I found the herder more interesting. I typically identify the Touareg people by their azure blue robes and the particular turban they wear on their heads. I do not see them often, but they are a distinctive people, indigenous to the desert. They have a long history of a nomadic lifestyle, impacted greatly by development. I do hope to reach a point where I can ask people for their photograph, but I have a respect for these people and, even though it is quite obvious we're not from here, I still dislike the "tourist" aspect of some of our experiences.
Our Christmas was quiet. Although the country is 95% Muslim, Christmas is celebrated by many, Christian and Muslim alike. Everyone was dressed in their finest and the sounds of fireworks lasted long into the night. The Santa at the grocery store was a little bit creepy but Matthew didn't see him, so we're good. We opened gifts under our very first fake tree (imported from walmart), hung out at the soccer field for awhile with other families, and then had dinner with friends. As with the military, people tend to take care of each other, particularly in these faraway places, more so during the holidays. We are grateful to our new friends here in this community. There is much to be thankful for.
I understand people have had a hard time leaving messages on the blog. I have also been unable to respond to those comments that are left here, go figure. In any event, thank you for reading and following our adventures.
Happy New Year to everyone.
