The US Election and Thanksgiving in Africa

Cover of a children's book titled 'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving' with colorful cartoon characters.

November 2004 The US election and Thanksgiving in Dakar We’re recovering from the election. The U.S. Embassy put on a nice Election Night Party that went until 5:00 AM Wednesday. Yours truly left at midnight. Music, food, a mock election complete with voting booths, a speech by our ambassador Roth, and a concerted effort to…

Read More

Living underground and the Land of the Lotus Eaters

Ancient mud-brick building with arched windows and wooden door under palm trees.

MAY 2004 Southern Tunisia: Living Underground and the Island of the Lotus Eaters Check out the Living underground and the Land of the Lotus Eaters photos attached. Our third bite will be about how people live underground in Tunisia. Yes, we lived underground, too. But first, you need to get acclimated geographically. Tunisia lies on…

Read More

Sbeitla Roman Ruins and Anne’s Peace Corps Family

Ancient stone ruins under a bright blue sky.

Tunisia – May 2004 Southern Tunisia: Rugs, Roman ruins, Oases and Anzie’s Peace Corps Family Check out the Sbeitla Roman Ruins and Anne’s Peace Corps Family photos attached. Our second bite was to head south and meet the Chebbi family. They’re part of the reason we decided to visit Tunisia in the first place. You…

Read More

Northern Tunisia

Group of people dining together at a long table in a cozy restaurant.

May 2004 Northern Tunisia Anzie and I spent two weeks in Tunisia in May. Why Tunisia? It was a nostalgia trip. Anzie spent two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer there 30 years ago, 1972-74. She wanted to show me her Tunisia. We saw that plus a lot more, too much to give you all…

Read More

Journey to the Religious Center of Touba 

Interior view of an ornate mosque with arched windows and columns.

April 18, 2004 Journey to Touba Well, it’s been a while since our last journal. Things are great here. Anzie just returned from four weeks on the road – Cape Verde, Burkina Faso and Malawi. I just finished teaching my Marketing Course at Suffolk U.– just putting the final grades together. It turned out well.…

Read More

Goree Island and Mama Africa

Distant view of a coastal town across the water under a clear sky.

January 5, 2004 A Night on Goree Island (click to follow link) Meet Florence, a.k.a. Salimata (all Peace Corps Volunteers are given a Senegalese name by their host family during Pre-Service Training), a.k.a. Mama Africa ( the name by which she’s mostly known on Goree). She’s a 67 year old African American Peace Corps Volunteer.…

Read More

A New Year’s 2004 roof top party​ photos

Woman sharing a moment with Santa Claus indoors.

January 5, 2004 A Night on Goree Island (click to follow link) Meet Florence, a.k.a. Salimata (all Peace Corps Volunteers are given a Senegalese name by their host family during Pre-Service Training), a.k.a. Mama Africa ( the name by which she’s mostly known on Goree). She’s a 67 year old African American Peace Corps Volunteer.…

Read More

Pink Lake and Strange French Customs

A boat floats on a pink-hued lake shore under clear skies.

January 2004 Pink Lake and other strange French customs: Lac Rose/ Lac Retba: Two weeks ago we decided to take in this site to see what everyone was talking about. 45 minutes and 30 kilometers later, we arrived at the edge of this small lake that is, indeed, pink. It’s not huge. It stretches about…

Read More

December 2003 and Christmas

Person dressed as Santa Claus with white beard and red hat.

December 22, 2003 Yep, it’s me at the kids’ Christmas Party. Only two more shopping days left. And I’m not making house calls anymore. Love and a Merry, Merry Christmas! Dear Family: OK. So we couldn’t make it to the Candlelight Service this year. What to do? What to do? As a substitute we attended…

Read More

President Bush Visits Dakar

People exploring a historic red sandstone building with curved stairs.

July 9th, 2003 President Bush’s visit For the past few weeks the town of Dakar has been preparing for the visit of President Bush. It all culminated in his five-hour visit yesterday, July 8. Anne couldn’t go into work because the town was virtually sealed off. Thought you might be interested in the preparations that…

Read More