i am toubab

i have now spent more than a week in the gambia, experiencing life as is "the gambian way." This means that after drumming in the morning, i spend the rest of the day relaxing. While i have not posted more than one other time, i have been writing a lot of things down so that when i return i can post them. it seems easier than the trek to the internet cafe--which is not that bad of a walk.

Toubab is the word that the children ( and some adults) use to call at me. It means white person and i hear it a lot. It is accompanied by a variety of behaviors. Most kids yell it followed with how are you or give me mente (mint) or delasi (money). Some children cry. Some stop all of what they are doing bewildered. Some run up to me and ask my name and grab my hand. And those that i saw from the taxi as we were driving through "the bush" run along side the car after me. It's a completely different experience.

The drumming is going well. I've played four different instruments learning parts on each. It usually takes me a little while to learn and get the rhythm. I still struggle to play my part if Libon changes what he plays... but i am improving. I only had 2 balafon lessons, but they were fun. Today was the start of week 2.

Friday was an adventure of large porportions. Taking the car to Banjul, boarding a ferry, and then taking a taxi on a winding-rollercoaster of a drive through the bush. We went to Juffreh for me to learn more about the slave trade and history. A trip Brandi would have loved :). While a sad topic, i am extremely glad to have had the chance to go on that journey. I got a bit sunburned as a result, but nothing too terrible.

I have spent a lot of time relaxing with Libon and 2 of his friends at their compound. I enjoy their company and it is a lot of fun. While english is the official language of the gambia, i hear much more of 3 different dialects depending on who is speaking. I couldn't tell you one from the other if a random thing was spoken, but they're trying to teach me some phrases. My mind often goes to spanish. Alison said that when she was taking other languages. I found it is true for me here as well. The spanish will do nothing. If i had stuck with my fifth grade choice of french over spanish, i would be in better shape.

i like the gambian way of life. it's very relaxing and it just took a little time to get used to. it definitely is the rainy season and that makes traveling interesting. the lightning is like fireworks in the distant sky. and it's hot. unbearably hot. it's ridiculous trying to sleep. and i'm completely soaked as i type this. but all is well. i am well fed and well taken care of.

so more to come later, oh but the unexpected and exciting thing of last thursday was that i got to go to the airport and get my backpack. yay for stuff that makes me feel more comfortable. and yay for the deet bug repellent that is thick and sticky but is (i think) doing it's job.

as is said quite often here:
peace.