WE MADE IT!!

Well we finally made it to Senegambia (Senegal/ the Gambia). Our trip started at Dulles airport, and then we were supposed to fly to JFK in New York, then to Dakar in Senegal. When the group went to check in they told us that the flight to New York was delayed, and we would miss our connecting flight. But the carrier (South African Airways) would not re book our flight to Dakar, because the flight to JFK was not theirs (it was United). Long story short, we flew to JFK only to miss our flight to Dakar.

Then United booked the 6 of us teachers, and 3 Gambians including the mayor of Banjul on a flight to Paris and then Dakar with Air France. But, our luggage was "somewhere in JFK." After a lot of wandering around looking for it, we found ourselves in the lost luggage claims office, and one of the other teachers managed to convince them to go out and find our luggage. They found 12 of our collective 18 bags. Of the 6 teachers, I was the only one to get both my bags back, most only got 1 and one teacher (the one who did all the talking) didn't get either. It turns out that our flight to JFK was over weight and sometimes they leave some bags behind. So we were assured that the bags would make it to Dakar. So at midnight on Thursday March 26 (2 hours before our flight was supposed to land in Dakar) we got on a flight to Paris.

That flight was uneventful, as was our 4 hour layover in the Paris airport. Then we flew to Dakar, and when we got there, the mayor took our passports and we got the "express train" through customs. Then 3 of us stood with all of our bags, while the 3 other teachers and the mayor went and talked to the baggage claim people at Dakar. About 30 minutes later, we left for our hotel in Dakar. All the girl teachers slept in one room, and the male teacher and our guide, Babukar slept in the other room. Then we woke up at 8AM to go BACK to the airport to look for luggage, which was still not there. Then we drove over to Gambia.

The roads are full of pot holes, and the drivers just weave back and forth, off the road, and on the wrong side to avoid the pot holes. We had lunch in Senegal which was really good, I had a dish with rice, beef and vegetables. The menu was written in French, which our driver could read, and translate to Wolof for Babukar, who would then translate it to English for us (very interesting experience). At the border between the two countries, there were lots of children who wanted us to give them money and things. They are VERY persistant, opening our windows and grabbing us, pulling on our clothes and things. Quite the interesting experience. Then we had to take a ferry over the mouth of the Gambian river, which between waiting in line and the trip across was about a 2 hour experience. Then we FINALLY made it to Happy Camp (the name of where we live).

There are already 11 St. Mary's students here, who are going to the University. They are all very nice, and I am sharing a room and bathroom with 3 other girls. They have been our tour guides, and today they took us to the beach, which was so nice, but I got a bad sunburn (the sun is very strong). I am learning how to take a taxi (they have certain routes, and you get in and pay 5 delasi and get out close to where you want to be), and how to avoid all the people trying to sell things.

I'm so glad to be here, though I already miss everyone. Please let me know how you are! clkoch@smcm.edu, we have wireless internet, so I can probably check my phone every day. Tomorrow we have orientation, where we will start learning some Wolof, so we can talk to some of the local people. I will try to put up pictures soon, but I wanted to tell everyoone about our trip! Now, off to dinner!

Priceless?

Yellow Fever Vaccine: $192
Typhoid Vaccine: $150
Health Insurance: $65
Advil, Shampoo, Batteries etc: $212
Supplies for Students: $150

Teaching in the Gambia for 2 months: priceless


Well I'm leaving in 2 days, and I finished my shopping spree tonight, and needless to say it is all adding up!! I'm excited and nervous to be leaving, and will miss everyone here very much!!