Marine Ball

Most American Embassies have a small detachment of Marine Guards and part of Embassy tradition is to attend the annual Marine Ball. This is one of the fanciest Military Gala events I can think of or have attended. Dakar, Senegal was the closest post that was hosting the ball, which is a long days drive North up the coast. We decided to rent a bus to make it easier and more fun, we rented a little bus that can probably seat 20 people under normal conditions, 50 in Africa with another half dozen on the roof, so the 7 of us were fairly comfortable and there was room left for the beer and food coolers. Its less than 200 miles but on average it takes 8-12 hours. We spent more of the drive going up the dirt shoulder dodging goats than on the road. The next morning we left the hotel and made it about a mile before realizing we had a flat tire. I helped the driver remove the tire and rolled the big flat bus tire down the highway looking for a repair shop, an hour later we were on our way again. 5 hours later we made it to our destination (which was only supposed to be 2 hours away). It was one of the most beautiful hotels we have stayed in with a massive indoor hot tub the size of a swimming pool, complete with a waterfall and 3 seperate cascading hot pools for soaking, including a great outdoor pool and bar. The trip home we were stopped by some completely corrupt Senegalese cops who were trying to extort money from us for according to them; Expired license plates (no expiration on Gambian plates) Expired drivers license (actually didnt expire for another 3 months) Trying to flee the scene of arrest (we were in a big bus and had to find room to pull over among the other dozen victims that were pulled over) and speeding (we had just turned out of the hotel area, still in first gear). Over and hour later we were released after paying the fine, and a mile later forced of the road by the same cops who were irrate becuase the driver pulled a fast one and slipped away with some paperwork that could have got them fired. Kudos to him!! We spent the fairy ride on top of the bus enjoying beer and pipes and a great view as we motored slowly accross the wide mouth of the river into Banjul.