So, I've been up for about the last 40 hours and feeling a little groggy so forgive my not so polished writing (not that it ever really is) but I wanted to get this up before I lost the access to internet.
I'm just finishing up my first full day(and these are my favorite pics), though it's been more like two considering travel, overnight flights and such. Dakar has really been an experience thus far. It's breathtakingly beautiful while completely impoverished at the same time. One house will be whitewashed and have handmade, inticate security gates while the house directly next to it is gutted, falling down and housing squatters to whom the building could be extremely unsafe. There are people and animals everywhere. As we walked around during the afternoon, we were surrounded by children in brightly colored outfits, taxis, street vendors, horse-drawn wagons, goats, cows, roosters and stray dogs. It has certainly been an interesting place to take in and, needless to say, the place has character.
We did our first day of orientation, the group leaders seem very nice though I have to say my French is feeling a little rusty from winter break after I had to spend the entire day functioning in it. They introduced us to one of Dakar's fishing beaches and I cannot describe how vibrant the place was, there were hurdreds of brightly colored fishing boats, kids playing football (soccer) and tons upon tons of bins of fish. It was such a great first impression.
I was also introduced to a couple of Senegal's tradtional dishes, cuscous with fish and vegetables and onion glazed chicken with fries. Both were delicious! Though I am very very full.
Thanks for all the comments so far, I miss you guys already! Bonne soir! Until next time!
-Kaela
