hmmmm

Horoscope for today:

Quickie: Resist sharing your inner thoughts today. They're not as interesting as you think.

How funny that on the day I thought of updating this blog that no one reads; this is my horoscope. Then I read my journal from the past couple of days and realized...hmmm, the stars are correct.

I was deeply contemplating pickle slices. So do you think that it is worth it to make sure they cover the whole sandwich or should you just wait for that one bite when they double up? Is life better with spread out calculated joy or bursts of unexpected elataion?

case in point.

More Photos!

Hello all. I have posted a bunch of photos from Paris and Prague. Enjoy. It's crazy how much I can get done with a ten page paper due in less than 36 hours.

Link is to the right: http://picasaweb.google.com/whataboutamie

Hope everyone is well.

Amie

Photos from Africa

I know I know, but FINALLY I have a link to some of my photos from Senegal and The Gambia. I am also a terrible blogger. But hey, I am a busy woman. I plan on posting a LOT more photos, and also some from recently in the city of Pittsburgh so my pals can see where I am from.

If you want to scroll through the albums just click the link connected to the slide show.

Peace, Amie

Home ~ Pittsburgh

Well, I am settling back into the home life. It was def. a bit strange at first but its amazing how quickly one can jump right back into things.

Thanks for reading about my trip! I will probably continue to randomly tell stories here. Hope all is well.

Paris ~deux

After a rainy drive to the airport in Prague and a bit of a delay, Jackie and I landed in Paris. Stepping out of the metro into Montmartre, we were greeted by literally thousands of people. It seems that we had stumbled into a giant music festival! Woo hoo! It was even more comical to us because we had expected to sit at a small café and enjoy an uneventful bottle of wine.

We skipped up to our hotel where the concierge (with a wink) gave us a corner room that faced a park where one of the dj’s was set up within feet. As we walked down the hall, the music got louder and the walls started shaking. It sounded like the party was literally in our hotel room…well, close enough. We had two balconies that opened up to the party that we could walk out onto and dance. It was amazing!

We jumped right into the mix; light shows, a steel drum band, a rock band, dj’s on balconies, dj’s in parks, drum and bass on the sidewalk. !!!!! It was a perfect way to celebrate the summer solstice. It was also impossible not to feel like Paris had thrown the party just for us. The local friends we made at the party that night assured us that we were indeed very lucky. It ends up that this party changes counties every year. We had just happened to book a hotel exactly in the middle of it.

The night ended climbing up to Sacré Cœur to enjoy one last look over the city...with mixed (entertaining) company.

Good Show Paris…Merci beaucoup

An enchanting city

We just spent the weekend strolling through the streets of Prague stopping into pubs and libraries. The language here is quite intense, probably the most difficult I have heard or tried. The sun was setting on the Vltava, the main river that runs through the city, as we walked home. I find this place absolutely breathtaking. Around each avenue and building is another treasure.

Happy Father's Day to all the daddies I know.

Damien sends his love to you all.

Prague

Unbelievable. This city lives up to its reputation. We are staying on top of a hill with views of everything in the city with Damien whom many of you know.

We just had enough time from the airport last night to drop in a local pub. The beer here is amazing!

I am safe and sound and enjoying every second. I miss you all!

Paris

Paris was wonderful. Got into town and strolled around Montmarte, the neighborhood where we stayed. It was a sweet little place with steep stone streets and outrageous views of the city. There is a giant cathedral there Sacre Coure...amazing!

Before we left we visited downtown...the Eiffel Tower and the Arc etc. Everything was beautiful.

About to Leave The Continent

Well it has been a fabulous few days. Went to a small village yesterday in Bassouri.

We just arrived back in Dakar after a long bumpy ride. I will be getting on a plane in a couple hours to Paris. Looking forward to ice and sidewalks.

To say leaving is bittersweet would be a grand understatement. I could stay another few months for sure. Talk to you all from Paris!

Wow

Things just keep getting better and better. So busy but having a blast! Miss you all. Kisses!
A

Tendaba

The weekend was spent at a remote camp 100 miles down the Gambia river, which is actually a salt water estuary. It was so beautiful. It was a bumpy ride on some crazy rural roads witha breakdown on the way (standard) We delivered supplies to a school there and took a boat down the river. It was a great experience.

Back in Banjul now, just attended the opening session of the National Assembly. We get to meet the Speaker of the Parliment and the Vice President tomorrow. wow. Both women btw. Also visited with the African Comission for Human and People's Rights. This morning we visited a sacred crocidile pond. I got to pet a crocodile! I didn't even get eaten!

miss you all!
A

No Photos

Wish you could all see photos, I cannot upload pictures anywhere : ( I will try to figure something out in Paris.

Amie

Banjul

Hello everyone. Happy Birthday Gary!

The last night in Kaolack after my last post was one of my favorites so far; my friend Mijo and I got to go to a local club apart from the group and experience some local music. We danced all night; it was a really nice time. Also that city does not get very many tourists so no one even paid attention to us (well to a degree). It was great to spend a night out with locals and doing as they do.

So now we are settled for the remainder of our trip at two nice houses in Banjul, the capitol of The Gambia. It is much smaller and much more laid back than Dakar. There are just as many people in the city of Dakar as in the whole country of The Gambia. Everyone has a laid back pace, a lot of Rasta’s and a nice even speed. The main bonus..English! No more French for me to struggle through until I get back to Paris.

I really cannot say enough good words of the life and people here. Everyone is so friendly. Starting with the ferry ride over, the people are so interested in us and we are making friends quickly. Sometimes a little too quickly... ha ha. The first night we arrived after a looong day of travel could not have been more picture perfect. We went directly to the beach to watch the sun set over the Atlantic and sat out on the porch of our now favorite hang out and had drinks.

Our neighborhood is great, my house is right across the street from a Baptist school and church. I wake up every morning to singing and children playing. Every person you pass here…saying hello is a must. Greetings are a very important aspect of the culture. It takes a bit longer to walk down the street, but it makes everything feel so warm and inviting. Of course us being here is the news in the neighborhood... a lot of "are you those Americans my friend Essa met the other night?"

Monday we toured the city center. We went to the museum and the local markets. We got to climb up into a giant arch that the president Jammeh constructed in honor of himself. It was a great view of the city.

Today we got to visit with the US Embassy. It was really a strange feeling to speak with a group of other Americans again (I have not met any on the trip so far) I also had a really secure feeling walking through onto US soil in The Gambia. It is really nice to have such faith in your government; to know that they are there for you even so far from home. We met two wonderful diplomats one being the consular. They explained in depth what they did as their service and I was truly inspired. Now if only I could pass that exam! From there we visited with the Peace Corps headquarters. They have a very high # of volunteers here over 100. They live in rural villages creating cultural connections and doing projects.
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The work they are doing here is quite amazing. For such a small country with little strategic importance, the US has a lot of presence. The woman at the embassy said it was nice to see the direct results.

We hit another market today; I am getting a little better at bargaining, in between shopping and dealing with the very charming Gambian men. Now we stopped here at the café quickly before hitting the beach again for sunset. We have been eating very well…way too much actually!! The food here is amazing. The flavors and everything is all natural. I feel so much healthier. The pace of the trip has been a little slow for me and it is tough being stuck to the group for most of the day, but these are things that I expected. I can’t believe we have been in Africa for so long; the time is flying by so quickly. I am truly enjoying each moment. I cannot express to you how beautiful it is here. The vibrant colors of the mangos, flowers and dress of the people are incredible.

We drove past a women’s cooperative today that I plan on stopping by tomorrow or the next. We are also going to be visiting the health clinic. Thursday we are going to an event for the Miss Black USA pageant. It is the first time it has been held outside of the US. The slogan is “A queen is not defined by where she lives, but by where she comes from” I like that.

So life is good, I am feeling excellent. It helps that I am about to jump into the ocean.

Kisses,

Amie Marie

Kaolack

An amazing few days. From the markets in Dakar we travelled to Goree island. This place is hallowed ground; the center of the MidAtlantic slave trade for more than three hundred years. Met some great people, making friends quickly here is no problem. There is art all over the island and the landscape of the sea and brightly colored houses is a painting in itself.

From there we moved to Pink Lake. This lake is situated by the ocean and it once was a lagoon. We got to see the salt collectors at work. We had the priveledge of being shown around a Fulani village next to the lake by the chief,s brother after being welcomed by the chief himself. Beautiful fields, handwoven grass huts the place was spectacular. After that we took a swim in the lake...actually they call it a float. You float completely out of the water! We took trucks out through miles of sand dunes all the way to the most pristine and unspoiled beach I have ever seen. The only sign of humans being the goat herder we past on the way. The shore was breathtaking. After the beach, we went for a camel ride! wow, if you would have asked me last year what I would do on my birthday, I can guarantee that it would not have included riding camels. We returned after all of this for a lively futbol match with some of the local Senegalese... not only am I old, playing on sand is just tough. The evening was celebratory with dinner and dancing to reggae all night with some local tour guides, my new friend Mijo and the bartender. The evening was completed with a late night dip in the pool.

Today was also quite enjoyable as we made our way to Kaolack (see map below) where I am typing now. We stopped for a safari on the way. It is a nature preserve with elan, ostrich, giraffe, rhinos, and crocodiles. All but some would be all over if it was not for poaching and hunting. Today was a relaxing day.

So my birthday was excellent!! Miss you all!! Talk to you all soon.

Amie Marie

Senegal!

hello all

arrived safely here in beautiful Senegal. Dakar, the capitol city. The hotel Fana has welcomed us with open arms.

It is evening here and we have returned from a day of enjoying the center of this bustling city. I just stepped foot into the Atlantic ocean from this side, the furthest Western point in the African continent. We also walked up to the light house, at sea level it is the highest point on the peninsula...BEAUTIFUL! sea all around. The weather is perfect, a breezy sunny day. Stopped into markets today, such vibrancy.

Thinking of all of you, but settling in here already. Going back to the courtyard to enjoy the setting sun.

Bonjour!
Amie Marie

The Gambia is the next country. Banjul the capitol city.

Dakar, Senegal is the first stop after flying through Paris. Kaolack and Pink Lake after that.

Hello All.

This is just a place for me to keep in touch with everyone while I am out and about. I am hopefully going to be able to post some photos here. At the least I will be able to say hello every few days.

Just a couple more days in the states. Going away happy hour at Joe Mama's tonight! Hope to see you all there.

Amie Marie
*official first post*
(man blogging is lame)