Ceebu jen and upcoming plans

Hey there everyone! Today was a kick back day! It was really nice. We woke up, then a woman from the Baobab center came over and taught us how to make ceebu jen, the national fish and rice dish. We started at 10am, and finally ate at just after 2pm. It was a long process! The fish she brought over was so fresh and big. I could hardly believe she brought so much, but we did a pretty good job devouring it. I don't think I'll be able to make it back home, but it was fun to learn how anyway.

After that, we all took naps. Then, we watched the movie, "Cloverfield" on Armin's computer. It was ok. I'm never that impressed with scary movies. They're all the same to me. But, it was a nice way to relax.

I did a little bit of reading on politics and Islam in Senegal, but it was boring, so I didn't focus too much on it. I'm just not that into politics.

For dinner we just had sandwiches. They were good.

Hah- I don't have much to say today! Sorry! I'll post some pictures from today's lunch and our preparation of it.

Tomorrow we have more Wolof, then I'm meeting with someone at the Baobab Center to discuss their peacemaking/social justice initiatives. It'll give me some ideas, and maybe some new contacts.

Friday we have more Wolof. Saturday we're going to another market near the beach, and then after that we'll probably have a meal at this Lebanese restaurant that Vicki has been recommending since we got here. Saturday night we'll go out to the clubs with Sayda. She's pretty hip, so she'll probably take us to some fun places. Before we go, I'll have to buy some sneakers- all I brought were flip-flops and sandals, and Sayda said a forceful NO to wearing those out.

Sunday we'll probably sleep in and go to this one beach in the afternoon. Apparently this beach is really, really nice- it's in a suburb called Yoff, and it's about 10 minutes by taxi. You can rent a private space that's blocked off and guarded for under $3 I think, which is pretty cool because then you don't have to worry about someone stealing your belongings when you get in the water. Isn't that clever? I think so.

Next Tuesday we'll probably go to Goree Island, which is home to one of the old slave trading posts. The "Maison des Esclaves" (House of Slaves) has been turned into a museum, and supposedly there's an intense tour guide that tells you about the history of it, which will be horrific, I'm sure. But/and, it will be important to see/experience this.

The following weekend we will have a more "fun" trip to Saint Louis, which is about 4-5 hours north of Dakar, on the coast. St. Louis was another big city for the French colonialists to do much of their trading (not for slaves, but for other things- not sure what those are yet.. maybe peanuts). We'll probably spend a long weekend up there. It's supposed to be beautiful, and very relaxing (unlike Dakar, which has beauty, but more in the bustling, big city sort of way).

Well, that's all for now folks. I hope you've been enjoying the photos! I can't upload the photos tonight because the stolen internet connection isn't strong enough... but again, we should be getting legitimate internet service any day now! haha... this is Senegal time. That's ok.