1 August 2008 - Dakar, Senegal - 2:32/6:32 am

1 August 2008
2:32 → 6:32 am
Dakar, Senegal

When I think airport, my mind conceives an American airport, or even I guess those that I’ve experience in Central America. This is different.
I’m not exactly sure how or where I’ll be boarding a plane. When landing, we walked down to the tarmac and then my name was crossed off a list and I boarded a bus to the building. Having not gotten any paperwork or instructions, I was very confused. Thanks to the kind help of an employee, I passed through the line. He assured me that my baggage will meet me in Banjul—that’s what the claim ticket expresses. But of course, I worry about that. He then took me to another building where I’ll check in for my flight, but this is a long wait.
After sitting for awhile, a policeman, Michael, has approached me and says his English is bad, but it’s not. He wants to come to America—and stay with me. Shortly after, another man approached me wondering why I’m waiting so long instead of taking the bus. It’s apparently air conditioned and only takes 4 hours.
He thought I needed to eat something and shoed me to the restaurant. While I declined that, I did see where there is a phone place. It is not open and I’m sure this is causing much strife to my mother, but hopefully I can tackle that after 8 o’clock here.
A man with money, a calculator, and the desire to put his arm around me bothered me in French. That is not comforting. Now would be a great time to know French—or maybe remember something from 6th grade.
Was fine on the flight, but now I’m very nervous.
ak

31 July 2008 - New York - 2:57 pm

31 July 2008
New York
2:57 pm

Flight from DCA to JFK has been completed and now I’m waiting to depart to Dakar.
The flight information screen says that it is an 8 hour flight. I guess that puts me there between midnight and one based on this time zone. While still anxious, now that I have started flying, it’s much more real.
My backpack had to be checked so I hope that it goes through. I think I’ll have to get it in Dakar anyway before going on since I’ll be entering a different country. Wow. It’s still not quite real.
ak

bringing words to the web

today i started transcribing my paper journal to the computer so i can upload the entries to this blog. i think i could change the date to put them in order but instead, i think i will just post them with the titles of entries... then i can add in the pictures as well.

home

a sunday later from the last post, and i'm sitting in my living room in dc typing once again. it's odd to think that yesterday i was in the gambia, this morning around one am i was in senegal, and now i'm home in dc. while the return trip fared better with regard to my luggage (i have all pieces), there was an overbooking issue with delta in senegal but luckily i was able to be transfered to a south african flight to dulles (which in turn actually meant one less flight and an earlier arrival).

and like any american, i've already been to starbucks. hah. that is funny-heimy wanted coffee and breakfast. i tell you: walking the streets of dc felt like home but definitely had a different feel after walking in africa. and i was thankful of walking in and out of the bathroom with fully equipped power and plumbing. ah to note those differences.

i'm glad i am back safely, although i feel like i'm in this odd time warp and there is so much more to write, that i have an exciting task ahead of me. and now i can look and share my pictures too (i'm trying to get the videos to upload as well).

later. sleep first. :)

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.

arrived

i am here in the gambia. arrived yesterday after a long journey and time spent in the senegal airport. i cannot say the same for my luggage. apparently i am cursed. i am hoping and praying that i locate my luggage.
currently typing at an internet cafe and looking up the numbers for delta and air senegal. please send all positive thoughts on the manner my way.
i have yet to start drumming so those updates will come later.
however, i am here and we'll see what comes next.

i start my adventure today.