Words of wisdom from Dakar

I went into Dakar centreville today. It was a very productive day.
I learned many things in Dakar from the cabbies:

1) Always negotiate the fare before you get into the cab - its awfully hard to argue a man down from 5.000 CFA ($10) when you and your four companions are hurtling down a three-lane road while dodging goats, donkeys, carts, taxis, mopeds, people, buses, the people dangling off of the backs of the buses, oh and did I mention people?
2) Car doors don't always open when you pull the handle. In fact, the presence of a handle isn't even a requisite for it to be considered a car door. Many cabs prefer to forgo this cumbersome equipment in favor of the more efficient "jimmy the door open and give it a little shove" technique.
3) Knowledge of the streets and major landmarks (British Embassy) of Dakar is not a requirement for one to become a cabbie. In fact, asking for directions is not considered in anyway a disgrace to one's manhood. The person being asked for directions need not be a friend, acquaintence, or even someone you know. He/she will, however, by the time you are done asking for directions, be an intimate friend.
4) The center lane of a three lane road is for traffic travelling in both directions cabs, buses, cars: it seems the only limitation on this lane is that a) you not have livestock attached to your mode of transport and c) there not be dudes hanging off the back of your van.
and finally
5) Hanging on to the back of a car while wearing rollerskates is an acceptable mode of transport. You don't even need to know the driver of the car. Just so long as it is rolling at a resonably rapid pace.

That's all for now. its 2.45 am and it's raining! I don't want my comptuer to get shocked. Seriously...if its not one thing with the electricity its another. rolling blackouts followed by lightning storms.... More later...
love,
Jake