Allen Guest Blogs From Africa

Last weekend, while Randy and other Californians were showing in Fresno, I took a beautiful voyage by boat from Dakar. A 20 minute boat ride by pirogue (tiny Venice-type boat) took my friend, Sara, and I to Ile de Madeline. This small island is one of the few national parks in Senegal, and as such, is very clean!

Ile de Madeline is an ancient volcano, with its crator being a gorgeous, warm lagoon. The tide was in when we arrived in late morning, and as the day progressed, departed, leaving shallow pools of tropical fish. We swam amongst the colorful fish, and of course, tanned under the hot African sun!

Sara is from NYC, and in Dakar working for Helen Keller International, an NGO concentrating on optical care in developing Africa. We have fast become friends, and enjoy spending our free time together. We are both "over" our initial "culture shock", but still long for days that aren't spent near homeless children, raw sewage, and other common Dakar disparities. These times are great "re-boosts" of energy!

This week, I will continue intense training in French, with a Thanksgiving feast held for the American students on Thursday at my language school. Bon Thanksgiving tous le monde!