Arrival in Kolda and Day 1!

The day started early for us. Tinty and I had to be at the airport at 7 am. I had a long night packing my bags to go. I was only allowed to bring 20 kgs and one bag. Ughhhh the science equipment weighed most of that by itself! I was up until about 2 am packing weighing repacking weighing.... finally it was 2 kg over so I said I would just pay the overage..

When we got to the airport we were waiting with about 10 other people. I knew the flight was full so I wondered when the rest of the passengers would arrive. Wellllll that was all of us.

We did fit. So it was a short but bumpy hour long ride. The scenery was lush then desert/rocky then The Gambia River which looked like you would expect a jungle river to look like.

When we landed in the small cut out of the savana air strip, we were met by Fanta our host teacher and her husband. It was great getting to finally get to met her after corresponding all this time. She greeted us warmly and introduced us to everyone as if we were celebrities. I think I shook ands with everyone at the airport. :) While my French is slowly improving , for some reason I answer back in German. Weird huh?I will get better.

Google translate is the Bomb!!! You can even download the French pack and use it without internet !! If you hold it up to a sign it will translate the words to English! Star Trek universal translator is here!! It can even translate as you speak!!

After checking into the Hotel Hobbe, we got a bit of a rest to unpack while Fanta went home to prepare lunch for us. Apparently, there are wild monkeys behind the hotel by the river. I will verify this tomorrow!

The rooms are spacious and very clean. The AC works great! While internet is spotty, I have lost cell phone coverage. Still much better then some places I have lived! The bed is much more comfortable than it looks!

After a brief rest, Fanta picked us back up and we started our journey through the market. The cornucopia of sights, sounds, and smells were close to overloading my American senses. It seemed as if everything was in constant motion. The smells of cooking meat, sugary sweetness, and some other exotic unknown deliciousness made me want to drive around more.

We arrived at Fanta's house to meet her children and have lunch. Lunch was a delicious treat. Fanta made us a home cooked meal. The children were just like mine. Goofy and playful. I think it took us six photos before we could get one where they were "mainly" looking at the camera. I felt very much at home.

Back to work! We drove to the Kolda branch of the MInistere De L Education Nationale. This is like a district level superintendents office. They ensure that schools are meeting the required curriculum and assist schools in their daily programs.

We were then off to visit Fanta's high school were she teaches. However we made a quick pit stop in the market at eh fabric shop.

Just like at home..I am a good shopper when shopping with women. :) I waited as Fanta and Tinty "ohh ed" and "ahh ed" over the plethora of designs and materials. I admit I was a bit overwhelmed with the amount of choices available. After about 17 days (really about an hour), I too had been convinced to buy some material for a traditional Senegalese outfit to be custom made for me.

We took a quick walk through the market to the tailor. Where I was amazed at how such a small area produced such beautiful dresses and clothes. I was offered a catalog to choose a style for the shirt and pants I was to have made. Within 2 minutes and only about six options I was measured and done. However....having shopping experience with my wife and four daughters...I patiently waited and observed the process of choosing an outfits design and sizing for Tinty. :) Fanta helped her through the process and I nodded at the appropriate times as was expected. lol

The tailor was very professional and knew his skill as he promised all the custom made clothing would be ready the next day. wow!!

The family all helps with the shop. Even the children pitch in as the learn the business at young ages. I have a hard time sewing on a button but this young man was making a full dress as I secretly watched him produce a beautiful ladies top.

But the day was far from over! Off we went to the Lycee Alpha Molo Balde..the high school where Fanta teaches. Lycee means high school. The school was an open campus concept with a large area outside for students to gather and talk. Classes begin early with children arriving about 7. They have a two hour lunch where they usually go home to eat, as there is no cafeteria on site. Classroom usually have shutters but no glass so the wind can cool the classrooms. A few do have glass, such as the offices and technology room to prevent the ever present dust from penetrating the electronics. Air conditioning is non existent for students and is in the teachers lounge and a few administration buildings only. Wifi is a dream for students. Teachers cluster in the teacher lounge for a signal they can use. There is very limited internet at all on campus. It is usually limited to administration and running the school.

Principal's home..Principals get to live on campus. A set of classrooms

Technology Center

Once more, Tinty and I get to get a brief rest before the party. We were told that there would be a party at Fanta's home for us.m When we arrived, I think almost all of the school's faculty and the neighborhood were there. There was much fun, with local music, dancing, and food enjoyed by all late into the night. I think the kids like me as I got to hang out with them as much as I did the adults. Google translate was once again a big hit. As we "talked" from French to English back and forth by typing.

Little did they know that Tinty is a professional dancer. I think she rocked the show.

I did make the rookie mistake of letting the kids use my camera to take pictures. But they did get some really good close ups of the party...and themselves. lol.