I went to America!

Today was my day trip to Dakar and it started at 5:30am. To be fair, I guess it started at 2:30am when I woke up to the sound of a wolf/coyote/hyena attack/dog fight (dog fight is the most likely but I had myself convinced it was something far more dangerous). The real trip started when I got up at 5:30, after a shower, oatmeal, coffee, and a quick call to AS, I was out the door to find "the bus." I'd been told that the best way to get to Dakar is by a bus that only stops before the garage opens and the garage opens around 7am. Luckily as I was nearing where the buses were (having arrived uneaten by wolves/coyotes/hyenas), someone took me to a bus and I got on. I was on my way! The bus ride was pretty pleasant, it's a large coach bus and people pretty much leave you alone - oh and they play really loud Arabic music the entire time, I assume it's kind of like elevator music but for buses. Three hours later I was in Dakar and totally lost. I got in a cab and was overcharged but had no idea the distance I was going so I just bit the bullet. Jackie and Alyssa were in the same sept-place (a station wagon) and Elizabeth was also in Dakar so we were all going to meet at the American Club (a place for expats to hang out that has a pool, tennis courts, a volleyball court, and food). I was the first one there but everyone else arrived quickly. We had time to kill before the softball game (the reason we all came to Dakar) so we ate blts, salads, and cheese fries (it was amazing).
Eventually we headed over to the game. The Dakar Region for the Peace Corps has a softball team that plays games every weekend so we were there to play/eat hotdogs. We all ended up playing a rotating 2nd base. I had a bad play and a good play but we won and it was a really fun time. After the game I went to the concession stand (it was just like a high school/little league game with concessions and everything) to get a hotdog. I started speaking French to the woman but some guy in US Embassy shirt told me that she spoke English. He then told me that the softball field was owned by the Embassy which my friends and I determined meant we were on American soil which is how I went to America today (if you know this to be false, don't ruin the fun)!
After the game we all went back to the American Club for some swimming, beach volleyball, and general lounging. The Dakar Region was having a meeting but Jackie, Alyssa, and I, determined to complete the challenge and stay every night in our own beds until Thanksgiving, left early.
The ride home was mostly uneventful. The garage should be scary but I don't actually think it is. Sure, there's a lot of commotion but people come up to you right away, ask you were you're going, and lead you to the right car. I've gotten pretty good at ignoring people so I followed a guy to the right car, double checked, and got in. I took a sept-place back and was back to Bambey in about 4 hours (just in time for spaghetti and chicken for dinner)!
I had a really great day in Dakar/America! I'm so happy I went but I'm not sad I didn't stay.
I don't have much planned for tomorrow, I'm going to try to focus on Wolof and then Ndem on Monday. Soon enough it's Thanksgiving!

Ba suba,
KO