As I am approaching the end to my three month challenge, I realize as each month passes how quickly it goes, and yet as with traveling anywhere there are so many things that happen in one day that it seems like 3 rolled in to one.
I recently received a lot of love and support from home, which is greatly appreciated. Sadly, I am still at the adjusting phase, and I am learning new things everyday. My language is getting better, my relationship with my family is becoming strong and I am slowly slowly learning all the work there is to be done.
Right now I have over 700 poly pots for trees, including one for live fencing, African Mohagony, Orange and Bean. I hope that some of them work out because watering here is not done via hose. I have to pump and fetch the water myself. Although I am proud to say I can now carry my own water on my head, which is quite an achievement for someone who has never done it before.
The temperatures are rising and I am usually sweaty by mid-morning with 6 hours of sitting ahead of me until the evening, and it is not even hot yet. Thankfully I constructed myself my own 'bantaba' which is a shaded structure made of branches and dried grass; tied together by wire. I hope I will get to sleep outside soon, I miss it so much from Outward Bound.
I hope to update my blog with some pictures soon, and my camera usb connection will be coming shortly in the mail. I know it is really hard to envision all of the things I am describing.
I am mostly updating my blog because I heard that on CNN have been reports about the Gambia, in a negative light:
Gambians 'taken by witch doctors'
There has been questioning of Gambians by Gambians to find "witches" and bring them in to questioning of their practices. Many people are working against these acts and it is not effecting me at all, but if you heard about it on CNN, know I am fine, safe and well.
Source BBC.
DO NOT WORRY!!
On the positive note, I am staying busy and drinking lots of milk straight from the cow. Yum, I love being a Fula! The months of April and May are the 'hot' season here; I am in the 'cool' part of the Gambia because I am closer to the ocean and I am still sweating. So needless to say my body has not acclimated completely yet.
Also on a positive note I had my first conversation in Wolof the other day that just flowed. I was speaking to an old man who happened to 'naturally' talk slow and I understood 80% of what he was saying and could respond to him relatively well. Even though we did not talk about anything earth shattering I felt so happy to have had that 20 minute conversation.
That is all I have for now, and as the Wolof's say "Jamma Rek" Peace Only!
