Agsee nanu ci jamm! We've arrived safely!

Ewan and I are currently sitting in a beautiful apartment in the village of Ngor, in northern Dakar! We're couchsurfing here until we find a permanent place for ourselves.

I don't think I've stopped smiling since my plane landed in Dakar. I've been preparing for this trip for so long, it's quite exciting to finally be here! I was a little nervous about my short connection time at Washington Dulles Airport, but was comforted when I found my correct gate quickly and smelled a familiar scent, which I can't put a name to. It's the smell of beignets I bought a few weeks ago at an African market in Chicago, and reminds me of my African dance teacher in Urbana, Djibi. In any case, it made me comfortable and excited. It was also reassuring that I immediately recognized people speaking in Wolof. To know that some sounds and smells are familiar to me, even though I've never been to Africa before, was comforting on some sensory level.

Since landing, I've had my share of hassling from Senegalese men, wanting me to pay them big bucks for moving my suitcase about 3 feet and trying to get me a taxi as I tried to tell them I was waiting for my friend. Needless to say, with my inexperience I lost some money while waiting for Ewan at the airport. But, I was smiling the whole time. When Ewan came, he seemed like a different person as he argued fiercely with all of these men in Wolof... but surely I'll get used to Wolof Ewan soon. Maybe eventually I'll be Wolof Amy.

We found this apartment, walked around, ate some food, and found the beautiful beach just a few blocks away. I can't help pointing out everything I see, it's all so new to me! Sheep, goats, dogs, cats, garbage, boats, everything is different here! Beautiful mansions across the street from shacks, the sandy road in between littered in trash.... the list goes on. I took a few pictures so maybe will post some later. For now, au revoir!