Passports and Taxis

We're back in Thies! The big softball tournament starts this weekend but before we're learning how to plant gardens. It's been fun digging around and actively learning but there's been more going on than that.

Alyssa and I realized we need to QUICKLY apply for our visa's to Ghana to take the LSAT in June but to do that we would need our passports. For Alyssa, who lives in Thies, it's easy for her to run over to her house to get her passport. For me, however, it was a little more of a challenge. I left right after the last session yesterday. I made it to the garage by 6 but there were legitimately NO seats left on the Alham so I was the first one on the next bus. 40 people (and an hour) later, we left Thies. Finally, at 9:30 we pulled into Bambey. I can now say that I can get around Bambey with my eyes closed because the power was out and it was PITCH BLACK. A few minutes later I was greeted whole heartedly by my host family (especially my host mom). After a few minutes collapsed on the mat, they brought me dinner (which was salad, onion sauce, and bread - awesome). After dinner, because the power was still out, I brought my candle downstairs to light off of theirs and distributed some valentines my parents had sent (my host family really liked the candy). Nee Fatou invited me to drink tea with them but I was EXHAUSTED and to get back to Thies in time for a 8am training I knew I was going to have to leave early.

Not surprisingly, I woke up later than I wanted to, but my host dad came to the rescue and took charge. At 6am we were speed walking to the national highway just was an alham pulled away. He was not foiled, however, and he started to wave own every passing car. Only a few minutes later, a taxi stopped. Even though most Wolofs are loud, my hfdad is the exception, he switches to "disappointed grandpa voice" and the conversation went like this:
Mor: She's going to Thies.
Taxi: I'm going to Dakar.
Mor: you can go to Thies.
Taxi: ok. 1500cfa
Mor: 1000cfa, she has to get to school
Taxi: get in.

It was amazing! As we sped through the breaking dawn, I thanked my lucky stars that the trip that took 3.5 hours the night before took only 40 minutes. I made it to the training center in time to shower and have plenty of time before my morning garden-making.

I now have my passport and am ready to try and get my visa!

More gardening tomorrow!
KO