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