Random London Post v1.0 - Just chillin'

Time/Date: 0645 GMT, 15-Feb-11
Location: Tavistock Square, London

This was Sunday & Monday for us:
0900 - Depart Sabodala project area
1130 - Arrive Dakar, chill out (pics below)
2100 - Face a mob of people at Dakar Int'l Airport
2330 - Depart Dakar
0630 - Arrive Paris-CDG
0730 - Train to Gare du Nord, chill out (& freeze) in train station
1213 - Train to London
1430 - Chill out, go eat sushi
2130 - sleep fully dressed on most comfortable bed I've been on in 34 days

It's been fun so far...

Here are some pics from Dakar.

Boarding procedures at Sabodala Int'l Airport

The 49m-high monstrosity over looking Dakar. Read more about it here.

Checking out the fishing district with Matt & Ivann

The fisherman personalize their boats for good luck

Chill out on the beach (& get harassed by peddlers)

So yeah, that's what's up. A lot of 'hurry up & wait' at airports & train stations...and chillin'.

We have absolutely no plans for the next few days in London. It's kinda nice.

Here's some Brit rock for y'all:

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Saltwater Chronicles, Vol. 1 - Teaser

Time/Date: 1930, 22-Nov-10
Location: The Big Easy

Abstract:
Made it into New Orleans yesterday after being up for ~36 hours straight. Grabbed a quick shower & hit the streets for a self-(un)guided tour, found a big ol' greasy burger place staffed by a bunch of (self-proclaimed) queens that called everyone "baby," wandered around a bit more. Lost money playing blackjack, bought a bag pretzels, went back to hotel, and was in bed by 10PM.

Judging by the 18,000 people wandering around (drunk) wearing football jerseys with their faces painted with fleur-des-lis, I made the assumption there was some sort of sporting event going on.

I haven't had a drop of alcohol here, but I love the fact that when I choose to do so, I can wander the streets with my beverage of choice, as long as it's in a can or plastic cup. Hey New Brunswick, is that so wrong?

First day chasing redfish can be classified as a success. Here's the fishing report I gave to Bucky via Facebook:

Spooked a billion, gave 4 fish a concussion by hitting them on the head with weighted flies instead of "presenting" flies 1-2' in front of them, hooked 9, landed 5. Smallest ~5lbs, biggest ~10lbs. And they fight like bulls. Saw my backing twice, even w/ 20lb leader on...pics to come, the guide used his camera.
Had two "mat wants to drown himself" moments: 
1. cranked the guide in the back with a weight fly when starting my forecast. 
2. guide was running the outboard motor, randomly picked up his rod & hooked a 12lb-er on first cast 2 min after I flubbed a cast to a group of 6+ fish & spooked them all. I repeat: he caught it while driving the boat with the motor on. I suck.


Pics & such to come in a (very near-) future post.

Music by The Subways (who have one of the coolest myspace intro vids ever, btw; see it here).