Snapshots, and Only That

Unfortunately, we didn't take any photos while staying with friends in Dakar the first time around. I suppose the camera wasn't on hand, or the madness of seeing one another after so long apart - and in Africa of all places - was too much for either Laura or I to get our act together and think of taking pictures. To be honest, I didn't take a single one of these pics - I'm horribly lazy when it comes to taking pictures while travelling. I always appreciate having the memories later, though, so all thanks goes to Laura in that regard.

So, that said, although we spent three days in Dakar staying with the lovely and hospitable Mireille, our photographic journey must begin elsewhere:

M'bour, Senegal. Diou Diou's relative owns some sort of resort home that they rent out to people, so we shacked up in what were some pretty cush lodgings for free as they happened to have an open night without customers. It pays to know people who know people, people. Stacey and Diou Diou did some dancing for us, while Laura realized how white trash it truly is to drink wine out of a carton. While there, I was hit with a wave of lovesickness for The Boy, and I called him. We both gushed at one another for awhile and I felt better about the fact that I was the seventh person on a three couples + 1 excursion. I didn't have too much time to feel sorry for myself, however, because we ate some food, took showers, and I passed out cold some time around midnight.

The next day we headed out to David's family's house, where we took most of these photos. We regularly headed out to the boutique to buy crap food, because Americans love cookies and pop no matter what part of the world they're in. On one such trip, on the way, we ran into Martin, who is rather dashing (you'll see what I mean in a minute - this picture doesn't do him justice). Look in the upper-left-hand corner: there's the guy we called I'mATeacher. For the life of me, I can't remember his real name. Anyway, I'mATeacher really wanted to get his own picture taken, so we couldn't help but oblige. At the time, I didn't realize that I'mATeacher was a regular at the family's house, I just thought he was some guy in the street who wanted his picture taken. Turns out Laura actually knew him, which made the whole situation less funny than I had thought it was. Still, he was very motivated for the photo. I actually just think that both of these photos are interesting because they show what the neighborhood we stayed in was like, the same neighborhood Laura currently lives in, although she is now a few blocks down.

Now, a few pictures of my favorite place to sit and drink tea, aka the family's terrace: Here is Daniel and I'mATeacher on the terrace, sitting in front of the laundry hanging to dry. These are two of the most endearing children I have seen in a long time, Christen (sp? - Laura just began referring to him as Our Cherub and I stuck to it) and Delphine, on their favorite toy. They were both incredible sweethearts. Oh, and remember Martin from the street? Am I right about the dashing-ness? And finally, this is the woman who runs this entire empire. Does she not just exude greatness?

I spent a lot of time in M'bour just sitting around, talking with friends and neighbors. Sometimes I did the sitting around on the patio, other times I did it on the street. Here's Blaze in the street, wisely sitting in the shade of the tree just outside the villa's gate. And here's another picture of The Cherub, with darling David. Natalie is in the background, working hard as ever. The girl never seemed to stop.

I was horribly sad to leave the little porch-land. This picture was taken on my last day, when I had to say good-bye to David. Of all the people in Senegal, David showed the most kindness and warmth of anybody, and that's really saying a lot. I will forever be in debt to him. My hope is that one day he can come to Paris (or wherever I'll be) and I can at least begin to tip the scales back towards something semi-balanced. I owe him, big time. He is truly an amazing soul - patient and caring and giving. I am so happy to see Laura has snagged herself a winner. He seemed sad to see me go, too, as you can tell in this picture of the two of us. He's almost always smiling, so I was surprised by the sullen look he has.

Instead, I prefer to remember him by this photo, when both of us are a bit more of our usual (in my case, freakish) selves.

And lastly, here is the divine place where we got to spend our final days, thanks in great part to Max, a friend of Stacey's. As you may or may not be able to see, by this point we had truly mastered the art of relaxation. Imagine some reggae music in your head as you feel the sun on your face, drinking La Gazelle in a mural-painted courtyard filled with flowery plants and sand. There was even a hammock. One couldn't ask for a better way to spend the last moments of an already perfect vacation.

Let me just take a moment to reiterate that these pictures were pretty much all taken in the same two days at M'bour. They only provide a miniscule little snapshot of the amazing things I saw and did while on my trip. They also, unfortunately, don't show how important Laura and Stacey were to me and my time out there, as they were the ones who taught to walk the walk and talk the talk. I love and thank you both, a million times over! (PS: I've managed to hold off on that final package of Biskrems. I want to see if they'll be doubly delicious with a little anticipation thrown into the mix.)

But also, thanks to all my new Senegalese friends: Hilaire, Mireille, Diou Diou, Tahir (aka The Intriguing Guy), Mama, Natalie, Daniel, Martin, Olivier, Blaze, I'mATeacher, the Pig Owner Dude, Max, Malick, and, most of all, David. You will all be hearing from me soon, but until then I send you my love! Thank you thank you thank you!