It's 2015 and we're still breathing

If I had a nickel for every time I sat down to write my blog, well, I wouldn't be rich, but I'd have a few more posts.  The holidays are always such a busy time of year, but it seems that in Dakar, at least, everyone is ready to party.  I wonder if we were all looking for a reason to get together or if we were all feeling particularly festive, but it's been a blur since Halloween.

Indiana Jones and the Sassy Gypsy (still a better story than the Crystal Skull)

So while I didn't send out Christmas cards or gifts, I was able to make cookies with my kids and spend time getting to know lots of new friends.  I'm counting this as our holiday letter :)

In between power outages, broken generators, missing mail, wonky internet (that has me longing for the days of dial up), and the water being turned off for no good reason besides it's Thursday, we've been living life.  Trying new foods, seeing new places, making friends and exploring our little corner of Africa.  After a heated and drawn out battle with the USPS click and ship system (it won), I have had to concede that all Christmas, birthday and general "I love you and want to give you something" gifts will be given in June/July when we visit the states.  So I'll chalk one up to WIA (Well, it's Africa) and move on.

What happens when the city turns off your water, your 500 gallon water tank runs out and the refill churns up all sorts of fun. This is why we drink water out of a distiller.

A big heaping pile of meringue drizzled with sugar.  The French know desserts.

Traffic jam, Dakar style.

I visited Goree Island with a few friends.  Goree Island was used as a shipping point for the slave trade.  The island has traded hands many times over the centuries and there is influence from the French, British and Dutch, as well as Sengalese.  A small population lives on the island and it also boasts a small private girls' school, converted from the French military base.  Our guide took us through the Maison des esclaves (Slave House) and around the island to show us some of the history of slavery and the island.  It was a remarkable experience and reminded me very strongly of how it felt to visit Dachau Concentration Camp in Germany.  It was heart wrenching and solemn.  It is a reminder of the absolute cruelty and greed that can exist in the hearts of men (and women).

There are many artisans on the island.  We were able to visit a sand painter and watch him create the most delicate pictures with different colored sands from all over West Africa.  As usual, where there are tourists there are vendors.  They meet you on the ferry going over and, while they can't sell to you, they can certainly introduce themselves and invite you to their shop on the island.  Once you are there, it is a little overwhelming at times,  As you are now their "friend"  you are badgered highly encouraged to come buy from them.  My limited French made it difficult to explain that I wanted to shop after and finally after several "Non, merci!" we were able to go on our tour.  Shopping here is always a balance of wanting to buy unique and beautiful items for a fair price without being ripped off and not wanting to haggle over what is essentially a few dollars.  I often feel ridiculous haggling over a few CFA, but it is the way things are done here.

The door of no return 

All the rings are made up of sand from different countries and the variety of shades occur naturally

Voila!  It's a house :)

We finally visited the Monument de Renaissance, which is Senegal's tribute symbolizing a new future for Africa.  With the man looking forward, the child pointing to the Statue of Liberty (west and freedom) and the woman pointing away from Goree Island, it is a stunning statue designed by the North Koreans and shows Senegal's determination to move forward from their past.  We paid for the full tour and were able to have a private guide take us around and describe the displays and take us to the top of the man's hat, in the freakishly tiny cozy elevator. 

Wrestling is huge here!

Gorgeous views!

David's Mo-vember contribution to prostate cancer.  Looks like furry caterpillar is eating his lip.

We spent Thanksgiving,

 Christmas, 

my birthday and

 New Years in Dakar, but were able to get out of town for a few days with friends just before school started back up.  It was my birthday gift from David.  We went to a beach town and all inclusive resort called Domaine de Nianing and it was perfect.  It was the first time the girls and I have really been able to leave Dakar (David went to Budapest, brat) and it was exactly what we needed to recharge.  It was great to see parts of the country that we hadn't been to yet, as well as sit back and relax with some wonderful new friends.

The beach at Nianing

Our new friend in Bandia came up to visit!

One baobab tree.  I have no idea how old this one is, but they can live up to 1000 years and can hold up to 120,000 Liters of water (30,000 gallons). It's HUGE! 

Rowen, Keegan and the 4 other girls we were vacationing with were asked to help model the clothes from the gift shop.  Rowen is wearing a local dress style.  Sorry the picture is bad, this is what happens when my cracked cell phone is the only camera I brought.

Keegan is modeling a swimsuit cover, which happens to look like a nightgown, silly French fashion.

Keegan photobombing Rowen and David playing a giant game of chess and my finger (Best.Photographer.Ever)

Alex, Skye, Rowen, Cozette, Keegan and Cydnee eating Senegalese Oreos, Borneos!

Speaking of David going to Budapest, one of the most delightful aspects of this new life is the fact that EVERYone travels EVERYwhere.  Friends went to Johannesburg, Spain, the Canary Islands, the states, France for the holidays.  Throughout the year, trainings are held in different places all over the world and David was put into a last minute slot for a class in Budapest, Hungary.  I wasn't able to go this time, but next time I think I'll smuggle myself in his suitcase.

He had a huge adjustment weatherwise.  We are still enjoying temps in the 70s and 80s, while Budapest was a tad chillier.  He had to dig into our cold weather gear and suit up for snow. But the snow brought other blessings: Christmas markets, bacon, hot cinnamon treats, bacon, clean streets, bacon...oh and there might have been bacon!  (I may or may not have had him bring home a package or 10 of bacon)

Some of those hot cinnamon treats sold on the street. Il est gate. (He is spoiled) :)

In other news we've adopted two kittens, Lucky and Charm.  They were rescued by a friend.  She found them, abandoned, on the beach.  Lucky was being carried by a dog and who dropped her in the water when children scared it off.  They fished Lucky out of the water and tried to find her mama and what they found were 3 siblings, about a week old and starving to death.  My friend bottle fed them until they were about 5 or 6 weeks old and then we got to bring 2 of them home :) Lucky likes to cuddle and Charm likes to destroy.  Sounds like two other girls in our home...

Lucky 1st day home

Charm 1st day home

Playing with their boxes Christmas gifts

A little gift from them to us.  Poor lizard never stood a chance.

We have lived in 3 different homes this year.  It has been exhausting and wonderful all at the same time.  We miss you and we love you!  Our home is always open no matter where we are.

Wishing you all a wonderful 2015!
Love,
All of us

Our Christmas picture at the beach, not missing the snow