1st day in Yene

We woke up around 9:30 AM the next day to my sister and Mambi greeting us. All the windows were open but the door was locked. Terri was saying, "wake up!" I crawled out of bed confused- where were we? We didn't get to see Mambi last night and so I was so eager to cuddle him. I opened the door and gave hugs. Mambi was a little shy with us but was as cute and sweet as ever. 

My sister and Manthia eat outside most of the time in the courtyard. There is a big green picnic table which is covered with colorful table cloths by Abby- their cook and housekeeper. We sat down and Abby served us coffee with a baguette, pastries, and basket of fruit and asked if we wanted an omelette. Most mornings this was a typical breakfast. Abby's omelets are so good- she makes them with onions and little bell peppers. I ate a lot of eggs while I was there.

After a leisurely breakfast, we walked over to the other house on the beach. All you have to do is cross the dirt road, but watch out for wandering sheep or cows, mopeds or cars. But life is pretty quiet there. 

Manthia usually gets up early and had his breakfast on the beach side outside on another dining table they have set up over there. Both he and my sister like to do work at that house- it's such a relaxing and peaceful place to be- with the ocean, breeze, and birds.

Mambi loves to stroll up the coast to a rocky formation area that they call "Dinosaur Rock". It's a daily occurance and so we went on a leisurely stroll to his favorite place. Depending on the tide, you can walk on the rocks and see some tidepools. We spent an hour or so wading in the water and enjoying the quiet beach.

The plan for the day was to go to Dakar to buy some clothes and underwear and to stay at a nice hotel my sister booked. She also reserved a full day private tour van to take us around Dakar and Goree Island for the next day.

One of the things I learned about Senegal is that you have to go with the flow! Nothing happens quickly or rushed. You may have plans and a need to do something or get somewhere, but often times, plans get derailed or delayed. This was a very good lesson for me- one which I hope I will keep close to heart. I am always punctual and want things to happen right away. I needed to let go of this and slow down.

I'll be honest, I was having internal frustration about my missing luggage. But as time went on, I realized you don't need much to live. I found myself having to check myself. Did I really need all those clothes I packed? It was a nuisance, yes, but in the bigger scheme of things, I felt very materialistic.

We were going to head to Dakar but once again the timeline was nebulous. It was decided that we would stay for a late lunch prepared by Abby. The local fisherman heard that "Tubabs" (or white people) were in town and came up to the house and told Manthia he had fresh lobster for sale. Manthia had Abby pick out some lobster to grill for us.

Abby prepares all the meals and I thought her cooking was some of the best I had in Senegal. For lunch (the main meal of the day) she first brings out a salad. She cuts the vegetables in different ways each day to vary the presentation. Abby cleans all the food thoroughly for us Toubabs. She makes a delicious vinegarette dijon dressing. After the salad she would then bring the main course. Today Eddie and I had lobster- the others had fish with rice and a vegetable side dish. After she brings fresh fruit for dessert- usually pineapple, mango or papaya.

Abby cooks in the kitchen in the other house so we helped carry back all the dishes. I was so appreciative and always told her, "tres bonnes" after all meals. I never got comfortable having a cook- it is very common in Senegal for people of a certain class. Abby even has a cook in her house- so while she is at my sister's place, someone is working at her house.

We packed- my sister loaned me some clothes. Eddie and Mateo wore their 3 day old clothes and we waited for the driver to arrive. Their driver is named Pop- a very nice man. We rode in his car to Dakar. It took about an hour. Depending on traffic, it can sometimes take up to 2 hours. Once we were out of the village, it was pretty quick on the highway.

First Pop took us to a mall where we could each buy a change of clothes. Then he drove us to our hotel called Seku Bi. The hotel is actually 2 converted French Villas and there are 7 rooms all adorned with modern African art. Seku Bi means parrot in Wolof- the native language in Senegal. I guess parrots are frequently in the trees at the hotel- though I didn't see any.

There was a small skinny pool and Mateo was excited to jump in- no bathing suit but went in some shorts. We ordered drinks from the bar and sat on the deck. Terri and Mateo had 1 room, Eddie and I another.

That night we stayed to eat dinner at the hotel and went to bed early since we had a big tour day coming up.