Arrive Blaise Diagne Airport- Dakar

Delayed in Paris for about an hour, we finally arrived in Dakar around 10:00PM. My sister had been waiting outside with a driver- Oseanu- for over an hour. We texted as soon as we landed and I was eager to give my sister a big hug.

We waiting in a long line through customs and had to show our COVID vaccine cards. I absolutely loved flying from Paris to Dakar- just to observe the population of people flying. So different than the other flights we had been on. Most were African people- either Senegalese visiting or coming home. The designs on the material of the dresses that the women wear are so beautiful. I need to find out the name of the outfits that they wear- but basically it's a long skirt, shirt and head wrap made of the same cloth. The colors and designs of the wax print are incredible. Some men were wearing long tunics and kufi hats. 

After we went through customs, we went to go find our luggage at baggage claims. It took awhile for the belt to start moving with bags, but my sister said that is quite typical. We waited and waited and waited. More people were leaving with bags, but a lot still stood around. Nothing yet. Not one of our bags. I kept texting Terri and she said don't worry that happens- just when you think they won't come, they will. More waiting- about 45 minutes. Then the belt shut down and they attendant said there were no more bags. WHAT? 

Now we needed to head to an Air France booth and report that our bags never arrived. There were about 10 other people in the same situation and we were in the middle of the line. This is when a refresher of French would have come in handy. I took 1 year in college, but am much more fluent in Spanish.

The first woman in line was getting frustrated with the people behind the glass in the booth- they really weren't addressing or helping anyone. It looked like they were just sitting there. Eventually she went through the open door and started talking loudly with a clerk inside their office. We could all see through the glass what was happening. 

Soon more and more people started going back into the office to get help. We eventually followed suit and report our 3 missing bags and received a form. Bags were not coming tonight- it made sense since we had so many transfers- quick transfers. I bet our bags were still in Amsterdam.

I felt tired and defeated, but on the bright side we made it to Senegal right? We walked out and saw my sister and immediately gave the longest hugs with big tears.

My sister had booked a couple nights at a nice hotel in Dakar and we were supposed to head there, but with all the chaos and the late time, she decided we should just go back to Yene and get some rest.

We drove for about 30 minutes and made it to their home in Yene! It was a pretty smooth ride- then when you get to the coast, it becomes dirt and a little bumpy. But the drivers here are amazing- they have memorized the roads and know exactly where potholes will be and swerve to avoid them.

Ablaye, who is the house caretaker, open the gate to the house and we came into a courtyard. It was hard to see everything since it was late and dark. My sister let us into the downstairs part of the house where we would be staying. It was about the size of our house in Oakland. With an entrance room, large living room, 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. She brought us some toothbrushes and basic supplies since Eddie and Mateo packed all their toiletries. Manthia came downstairs and gave us big welcome hugs.

We took quick showers, set up the mosquito nets on the beds and hopped in- ready to rest.

The adventures in Senegal were about to begin.