Dakar, here I am!

Well hello Dakar! Martina's here and two days earlier than she planned.

So for those of you who are reading, I was suppose to leave for Dakar tomorrow Sat Jan 16th and arrive in Dakar on Sunday. But due to some unforseen circumstances (well really because the Saturday flight was filling up and I was on stand-by and not guaranteed a seat) I took a flight on Thursday to make sure I was able to make it to Senegal. And I'm so glad I did :)the flight was only about 7 hrs and 45 mins and although I didnt sleep on the flight at all because I was just soooo excited, the time seemed tofly by. I sat next to a really nice man who was originally from Norway, married a woman from Congo and now works in Nigeria. We talked during the flight and he told me how great Senegal is (he lived there many years ago)and that I would have a fantastic trip. So of course I was even more excited and couldn't wait till the plane touched the ground. And boy let me tell you when the time finally came for the plan to land I was overwhelmed!!! The city looked so pretty at night flying over it. Once I left the airplane to pick up my checked luggage I wasn't hassled as much as I thought I would be with people trying to "help" me carry my bags. I did however get a gentle reminder that I was no longer in America, a English speaking country, but Senegal where I better know French or Wolof if I want to be understood. So with my broken French and big smile I made it to the hotel, which I must say was very nice (besides not having a strong wifi signal) and finally got some sleep. Now today will be my first full day in Dakar, I am currently at the campus where I will be studying, and there are lizards everywhere! It seems like lizards in Dakar (or atleast on this campus) are like squirrels in New York. Just climbing up trees and walking on the ground, its really kind of cool.
Everyone is sooo very nice and the weather iswonderful! I am so glad I traded in Maryland's cold/rainy/icy winter for Dakars HOT, breezy temperature :) Soon Ill be going to lunch!! Even though I am still full from my baguette served with chocolate spread yum! So au revoir for now, write back soon.

P.S Thank you everyone for the supportand the prayers!