We made it!!!

This is just a friendly update to let you all know that we safely arrived at Herma’s house in Malika, Senegal.

The last week has been actually relaxing as we have spent much time with our friends and each other...and some frantic packing in there somewhere too.

Scotty enjoying his anniversary gift to me.

As an anniversary gift, Scotty got me a couple’s massage. We were unable to use it until this last week. This was a nice break from all the business from preparing for our departure.

Chillin' with our peeps at our going away party.

Also this week our sisters (in-law) Jenn and Jenna, threw us a literal going away party from which we left the party directly for the airport. This was a great time to see friends and family one last time and give lots of hugs and share tears of joy and sadness. We are very excited for what this year holds for us, but are also blessed with such wonderful friends and family that it was still hard to say goodbye and see you in a year.

Us, in front of a fountain at City Hall park, New York.

We left Portland on Saturday night and arrived in New York Sunday morning. We had a long enough lay over that we had time to sprint through some sightseeing in New York, including Ground Zero, Central Park, the Subway (it is it’s own experience),

Sushi Noodle (a great little hole-in-the-wall restraint, and visited Battery City Park where we could see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

From there we jumped on a plane directly to Dakar and after only 8 hours on a plane arrived in Dakar at 5:30a local time. When we got off the plane in Dakar it was already over 80 degrees, plus humidity. We took a taxi to Herma’s house, where we promptly crashed in our new house and began the task of settling into our new home. More pictures to come, we love you guys.

Scotty and Crystal

Us, trying to get on the internet at Hermas.