Cape Verde

Sunset over a calm beach with gentle waves and people.

July 2003 Cape Verde Don’t know about you, but June sure seemed to fly by. Our household goods finally arrived a week ago last Friday. . . well, most of them, anyway. Missing a few things, like fishing poles and golf clubs. I’ve really been waiting for my clubs. Sure enough, Anzie’s clubs made it.…

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Dakar Taxi and Fatou

A colorful bus with passengers boarding in a sunny setting.

June 17, 2003 Dakar taxi and Fatou I have in mind a new video game that should really sell. We’ll call it ” Dakar Taxi”. The challenges that confront the player won’t be out of somebody’s fantasy. They’ll be the real ones that I’ve seen here in Dakar — like: The black and yellow taxis…

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Mauritania

A train partially buried in desert sand dunes.

May 19, 2003 Mauritania Meet Aw (pronounced Ow). Aw is a Mauritanian who works in the Peace Corps office in Nouatchouk – the capital city of Mauritania, the country that bounds Senegal to the north. Aw is Anzie’s primary liaison at this office, and he has an interesting story to tell. First of all, we…

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Islam

A mosque by the coastline with a scenic view.

May 2, 2003 Dear Family and Friends. I’m sitting in Anzie’s office at Peace Corps. It’s Friday afternoon. We just spent the morning at the Embassy Medical Dept. Anne will be an official “direct hire” as of Monday, so things are starting to happen. Our belongings are finally shipped. Airfreight should arrive next week. Sea…

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​​Locusts

A black and white cat curiously sniffs a yellow flower on the ground.

September 2004 Locusts Greetings everyone Hope all’s well. Chuck’s arranging a Golf Tournament for Monday – Labor Day. It’s become a tradition to have a golf outing on each American holiday. We’re having it at the Meridien Golf Club — “The Pebble Beach of West Africa”. Yesterday the course was strewn with cadavers — of…

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Chuck’s Job at the US Embassy

Modern office building with a grid facade and palm trees in front.

September 14, 2003 Chuck working at the Embassy Anzie flew in midnight Friday after a successful week in Niger. She’s resting up as I write. I just finished my first week on the job at the Embassy. As I am now your humble public servant, paid with your tax dollars, I thought you might be…

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Anzie’s Work 

A group of camels walking across a sandy desert under a clear sky.

August 24, 2003 My work with Peace Corps Hi everyone. My voice has been pretty silent and I’ve been letting Chuck do all the writing. But I am home for a couple of weeks and now have the time to write. Many of you have asked what I do and how I spend my time.…

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Settling In and First Peace Corps Trip

Cozy tent interior with patterned fabrics and a wooden support pole.

May 2003 Settling in and first Peace Corps Trip Hi everyone – now from me. As Chuck said things are going well and we are getting settled. I can’t wait until our airfreight arrives (600 pounds) – clothes, stereo, TV and kitchen stuff mainly. I did include a large box of wall hangings though, so…

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Dakar and Old Friends

People gather outside vibrant orange buildings under a clear sky.

May 12, 2003 Dakar and old friends Welcome to another page in the journal of an Innocent Abroad. Starting my third week in Dakar. Meeting all sorts of people, each with an amazing story to tell. Debbie Fredo stayed at our house most of last week. Debbie comes from my hometown – Elmira, NY –…

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The Other Side of Dakar

Orange building with greenery and a walkway in front.

May 26, 2003 Senegal first impressions – The Other Side: The last time I wrote about all of the good parts of life in Senegal. I thought I might be coming across as a trifle Polyanna-ish. So, I thought I might give you a peek at the dark side, as much as I’ve seen in…

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