Made it to Mali

After countless hours and a handfull of bribes we finally got our car cleared through customs. I could not believe how corrupt many of the officials in senegal were. Within the first two days of clearing our car through customs we have been pulled over 5 times. Luckily our paper work has been in order and we have been able to get away with small bribes. Tate got out of speeding ticket by giving the officer a headlamp and stick of gum.
After leaving Dakar we stopped by the Niokola koba Wildlife Refuge and were able to see everything from Monkeys to Crocadiles to Gazelles living in the wild! although no lions or giraffes yet ): but we still have a ways to go! After that short stop we were back on the road heading east!
We are currently in Bamako, Mali and have spent the last three nights camping out in the bush which has been remarkably beautiful. Although our diet has been kinda lame, pretty much cliff bars all day and then cambells soup for dinner, and everyonce in while we mix in some top ramen and malaria pills. The roads over here have been ok by african standards. Huge potholes up to 2+ feet deep dot the road and make for some dangerous driving conditions, sometimes they are unavoidable and if it was not for our awesome tires donated by Millars Hi-Way tires we definitely would of had more then a few blowouts. Despite the treqcherous roads, the hundred degree weather and the corrupt police our journey so far has been nice. We have been stopping along the way and handing out candy and some cloting to kids. It is amazing how happy these kids are just for a stick of gum. Wherever we go kids and adults both wave and cheer us on as we drive by.