Looking down on the city of Dakar from the lighthouse.

 

                                                The Lighthouse of Dakar, built in 1864

Just some pretty fauna up near the lighthouse.

When I finally got to the airport, Kim and Sherrill let me out and I proceeded to find my way inside to where I needed to check in. A kind gentleman approached me, I'm sure I looked bewildered, and asked if I needed help. I told him I was flying to Washington, D.C. and he showed me where the gate was.  He also helped me fill out my customs paperwork.  As I thanked him, he asked if I would like to reward him for his help with some money,maybe for a cup of coffee.  Of course, I obliged.

Then as I waited with the others for our check in personnel to appear, I could feel the sweat running down my back, as my hands sweated.  Also, you just don't wear make-up here -- it just melts off your face.  I am now dreaming of a nice COLD coke to quinch my thirst, but am afraid to get out of line.  The more you think about it, the more you want it!  FINALLY, here we go.  We can check in.  After answering questions about what you have in your bag, you get to proceed to the check in desk where the ladies are so nice.  Seriously, they are.  It was a pleasure to be helped by them.  Even if they spoke only a little English.

Handing over my luggage, I hurry away to find the gate.  Again looking a little puzzled, the same kind man approached me and pointed me in the right direction.  And this time he didn't ask for anything.  :)

I wander along and find a seat, fortunately I was one of the first ones at the gate, otherwise,you might not get to sit down as there were a couple of guys laying across four seats each trying to catch a few zzzzz's.

Oh!I see a bar and hurredly walk over and ask if they have Coka (Coke).  YES!  For $4!  I don't care!.  That is the fastest I have ever devoured one.  Boy it was good.

Fortunately I still have a seat and continue my wait.  Randomly I glance up from my Kindle and one of the men working the gate motions for me to get in line.  I look around to see if he's talking to me.  Yes!  So I go get in line, where they proceed to search my purse/carryone.  Then I love up, and a female attendant searches me. Then, yea, I get to go out the door to a waiting bus that will take us to the plane (airbus).  As I wander past first class and their reclining seats, I'm thankful for a safe and exciting week with my longtime friend, and my new friends.    I arrive at my aisle seat, gather up my blanket and packet of socks/eye mask, toothbrush and toothpaste and headphones, compliments of African Airlines, and settle in for the 9 hour flight.  We leave just about on time, around 1:30 a.m. Senegal time.  I watch a movie, "Dark Knight Rises" (yes, this is my 3rd or 4th time to see it, but who is counting), read my Kindle some, and then try to take a little nap.  I'm sure anyone who has flown knows how difficult that is.  But, I do get alittle rest. 

We arrive in Washington a few minutes late.  This is a little worrisome as you have to go get your luggage, then go through customs, then recheck your luggage and hurry to your gate.  Taking a wrong turn, I realize my mistake and worry that Howard will be waiting for me as  I will have missed my flight.  But, God is with me, and directs me to the correct gate and I make it in plenty of time.  In fact, our flight leaves a little early and we arrive in Raleigh, NC 15 minutes EARLY.  I walk off the plane directly to luggage pick up and there's my bag waiting on me!  Unbelievable. 

Imagine my happiness to see the Batmobile pulling up with Howard and Trixie inside.  After greeting my hubby, I get in the car and Trixie proceeds to bombard me with little doggie kisses---she missed me!  How sweet. 

Thank you Howard for making this trip possible.  And thank you God for a safe trip, and for allowing me to see our faithful missionaries at work.  What a blessing.  

9/11

Well, the 10th anniversary of 9/11 disaster has passed.  I know in the Bible we are told to forgive.  But, when something of this size happens, to so many innocent people, how do you do that?  How do you forgive such hatred in a person that it seems as if satan himself is in that person? 
When I first heard of the attack, I was in my car running an errand, listening to the Today Show.  The hosts started making some comments about smoke, fire, explosions, near the Twin Towers.  I rushed home and turned on the television, catching the second plane hitting the tower.  What was happening?  I remember feeling such a sense of shock, disbelief, horror, pain for those there, and then as the day went on and we learned more of what happened, anger.  Why would these people hate us so much to do something so bad?  I was angry.  Very angry.  I wanted to go after the "bad guys" myself.  Well, of course, that was impossible.  I was very glad that our president at the time saw fit to do something about it. 
Over the past 10 years, even though this event is not forgotten, it does seem as though "we" have become very complacent about the events of that day.  I hear how we are to "forgive" them, and "not all muslims are bad", and "we must be careful what we say".  These events that day turned our country into a quagmire of mush.  We are so careful in what "we say" that we don't say anything at all.  Are we suppose to just roll over and take whatever is handed out to us?  Do we not stand up for ourselves?  Do we allow non-Americans to take control of our lives?  Our security has reached ridiculous standards.  Our airports' security has gotten out of hand.  When 80 year old grandmothers are strip searched, children are strip searched, when do we say "ENOUGH!"    We avoid searching the most obvious -- muslims!  We don't want to stereotype anyone!  WHAT?  They are the ones who did this!!! Why wouldn't we search them first!?    I have personally been pulled out of line TWICE when going through airport security!  Me!  My family and friends joke about it, but, really, what is going on? 
Yes, we are to forgive, but how easy it is to say, we must love one another, not hate.  I agree not all muslims are bad; but when we know the terrorist, and that person is threatening our country, do we just say, "oh, not all terrorists are bad!"; excuse me, but I don't really think that is going to stop him from doing "his duty", blowing us up.
I am proud to be an American and I stand behind our military men and women and appreciate everything they do to keep this country safe.  I will stand behind any president who will protect this country; but I will not stand or support anyone who "cow-tows" to any country/government/group who is trying to destroy us as a nation. 
I appreciate all the people who were involved in the anniversary memorials on Sunday.  I do wish some of our clergy could have had a part in the memorials; after-all, we are a nation built on the grounds of religious freedom -- not freedom FROM religion. 
I could go on and on about my feelings related to this event, but my last statement is this, "Yes, we are to forgive, because God tells us to." 

Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Continuing Medical Education

During the week of July 3 to July 8, Howard and I and our friends, Rod and Diane and their 2 children, spent the week at Kiawah Island in South Carolina.  It is located near to Charleston, SC.
Following are some pictures of our trip.  We also enjoyed some bike riding, and a beautiful fireworks display on the 4th of July, while sitting on the beach.  Also not pictured are the times we had playing games at our villa, at night, mainly, Guesstures.  It was hilarious!  Love it!  Diane, Gabby and I took on the guys, and beat them soundly.  We were great!  :)

Enjoy the posts!

Oyster Roast, Mingo Point, Kiawah Island Golf Resort, July 3, 2001

On July 3, 2011 we all went to the OysterRoast at Mingo Point 

While Howard, Diane and I ate barbeque ribs, chicken, corn on the cob, and all kinds of other delicious southern delicacies,  Rod, Gabby and Sadri enjoyed the oysters (yikes!)

 Gabby said she found her calling, she wants to open oysters for other people.  In the meantime, Sadri couldn't eat them fast enough......

On July 4th, Kiawah had a bike parade.  Here Gabby is decorating her bike for the parade

and

here,

Sadri is decorating his, while his mom, Diane, holds her bike up.  Yes, that's Howard in the white shirt, and Diane's husband Rod, in the back ground.

 

and even Trixie, our little miniature Blue Dapple Dachsund, joined in the parade.

One evening we went to eat at Osprey Point Golf Club and had a beautiful view from our table on the veranda of the golf course.  Yes, that is an alligator on the bank.  On the bank of this particular pond, in the middle of a golf course, there were at LEAST 10, yes, 10, of these buggers, scattered around it.  We even saw some bikers on the trail, above this one, who couldn't decide if they should try to pass them or turn around.  Some went on by.  We enjoyed watching these guys for a couple of hours, during our meal, and at one point, they  all slid back into the pond for a while.  There were a group of children near one of the banks, and they all started a slow swim toward them.  Fortunately the manager came out and told them they needed to move on (the children, not the alligators).