We arrived in the southern Senegalese city of Ziguinchor yesterday evening after a quick 35 minute flight from Dakar. This region is called Casamance and has some recent history of separatism due to perceived government neglect---partly due to the fact that this part of Senegal is physically separated from the rest by The Gambia---a whole different country that pokes into Senegal from the sea---making land travel to here difficult and bureaucratic. This is the hometown of one of our seminar leaders, Dr. Fallou Ngom. It is very interesting to watch him connect with childhood friends and colleagues. He is energized. The hotel is beautiful, probably the nicest yet. The town is sleepy and less frenetic and we have a little free time while here---something that is very welcome.