How the Other Half (or 100th) Lives...

I am taking care of my friend's cat, Robespierre, while she is on a business trip.  She works for the embassy and was kind enough to look after Minou when I went back home in February.  Naturally I was happy to be able to return the favor, although I must say I think I'm getting the better end of the bargain, because for me I feel like I'm staying in a beautiful vacation home by the sea...  It's quite a change from my place (which is great, mind you, but HERE we get endless electricity because there are backup generators that defy all of the power outages (which have gotten insane as of late) and endless hot water and all of the rest).

Yes, so anyone who's considering it - the Foreign Service definitely has its perks!  This is one kick-ass apartment.  As I write this I have the following view:

Pretty nice, huh???  And here are the two darling kitties (Robespierre on the left, Minou on the right):

So, before any more time goes by, here are some pictures from Kristina's visit.  Most of them are from Toubab Diallo, the little beach getaway that's about 2-3 hours outside of Dakar.

(This first one's not, though.  This is the same ferry Matt and I took (you'll recognize the "Beer" boat!) to Ile de Goree.)

The beautiful, crystal clear water at Goree.

This is the view from our little hotel room at Toubab Diallo!

Fishing boats (pirogues).

Run chilling out on the hammock.

Run lounging in a tree with a beach view.

Lucky Run!  Lucky us!

A lone fisherman.

I think this was the hotel next to ours - the one where we ate dinner and got propositioned by "Jamil."

Kristina relaxing!

Run relaxing!

A view from the hotel terrace.  The building there is a mosque, but it seemed to be abandoned, and right behind it another hotel or villa is under construction.

Ktty mama and babie kitties!  Alas, Minou is no longer kitten-sized, I discovered.  She's definitely a teen now...

Kristina and I - the best trip ever!

We're already brainstorming another trip!  Maybe in another 5 years...  Let's see.. Brazil... Andalusia...  Malaysia...