monkeys

Hello all!!!!

We have made it to The Gambia!!!!! Straight outa the dumpy-hot town of Koalock, Senegal by taxi to the border, pay for visa, by other taxi to the ferry, wait around while kids call us 'Toubab', and then ferry to the Capital city of Banjul!! It is actually a great little city with sidewalks, the trash appeared to be in trash cans, people did not hassle you(too much), and there were neat things like hospitals(proper ones, not the shacks that he had seen) and did I mention that the streets were all paved?! So, we cruised around Banjul for a day and then headed to the Atlantic coast. This is the area that the tour book said was like a slice of Europe in West Africa, well, the beers were still less then a buck and the streets were not paved. Actually it felt just like West Africa when we had 6 'bumsters' (that is Gambian for Tout) trying to show us to a place to stay. We did luck out and got an apartment with our two crazy travelling companions for about $40 total. Overall, everything and everybody is a bit nicer and the prices have been sliced in half from Senegal!! Nice!! So, hanging out on the beach for a bit, we went to the store and bought stuff to make dinner. It was a simple dinner and the first time in over 4 months that Jer and I had made a hot meal. Too bad the next day, most of us had to use the toilet a bit too much, we have eaten out ever since (but the food here is great!)! The next day, we went to a nature reserve and saw a ton of monkeys!!! The guy at the gate said that we would see at least 100. We didn't see that many but it was damm close! We think that we should get parks in LA with monkeys cruising around on the walking path with you, just a thought. Anyway, after a few days here, we are heading inland to the jungle and what not, more moneys for sure!!!!

Miss everyone!!

Love, Jer and Sarah

p.s. Jer had the Flu and I broke my toe but at least we have a TV in our place to kill the time!