02 August 2008 - 11:32 pm

2 August 08
11:32 pm

It looks like I have 3 bites from something on my foot.

Lunch today was communal—felt better than eating by myself. But I don’t know how much to say.
It’s hotter in my room. I’ve just come into the room and I cant tell that.

After lunch, and something about the sun moving, libon took me to the internet café. I found vitamins, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, and baby wipes and pads.
There was no insect repellent though. I’d like to find that. I got some change from my hundred delasi too. Definitely gave the men yesterday a lot. Though I still feel fine about that for their help.

I also got to call my mom. I felt better about that as well.

Coming back I wanted to get water which Libon did for me and I wish he would have showed me instead. He wouldn’t take my money to repay him at the internet café and I feel like the water will be the same.

I got the phone numbers to Delta and Air Senegal. I want to call tomorrow. Libon and I discussed a phone option—something about a line—but as of yet I don’t know about that.
I will ask him again tomorrow.

Yup, I definitely sweat more in this room. tomorrow I start drumming and also I will shower. The girls left me a string so I can create a clothes line. Being a little McGiver just now I found I think it will hold from the nail of the window tapestry to around the hinge of the door. On can hope and I hop to try tomorrow.

Libon left somewhere after lunch so I sat and read the guidebook—much better than the one I had read at home from mom. Nothing against that one but this is specifically about only the Gambia and I think I’ve found some things I want to do/see.

I wish I had my stuff.

Took a nap—felt sweaty and wanted to lay down post reading and awoke to sounds out in the courtyard.
A tv had been pulled to the other house’s door and crowded around it were some men and children watching some sort of beauty contest.
I was offered a seat and joined. The women had little videos and were promoting their thoughts about being green or education or children to gain votes. Each had a phone number.

After that came some news which although reported in English was hard to understand. The president was pointed out to me. And then a birthday, death anniversary, and obituary came on. Text and picture—similar to an ad one would place in the newspaper.
The little baby—younger than Libon’s daughter, so less than 2—sang along with the American Happy Birthday played in the background of the birthday announcement.

Earlier I experienced my first “toubab” greetings/exclamations. On our walk to the Internet Café. Toubab means white person and is said/shouted by the children upon my sighting. They are friendly and as advised by the guidebook and Liz, I smile and wave and say hello. I suppose I will hear it a lot and it is friendly so it really doesn’t bother me.

Called from the tv for dinner, tonight it was French fries and fried egg. With some bread, the fried egg with onions was good.

I am using my left hand which they have not commented on but I do so with my fork and do try to make sure that I take the food only with my right. And use my right fingers to eat as well. Really not suited for a lefty.

Tom and Jerry pulled the kids from the table as the generator was turned on and my candle lit dinner turned to a light bulb. Libon joined me and spoke only really to tell me to eat more.

He and Amy tell me toeat. I did have more although then really did feel full.

I did better at conversation on our walk to and from the internet trip. I think I will do better tomorrow and then hopefully continue.

It’s isolating. I need a wingman.
ak