The north bank region of volunteers
is pretty much a boys club (8 guys and 2 girls). When the other volunteers heard that they got
3 new boys, a celebration was in order. It was also a much needed time to interact
with other volunteers. I have come to
learn, speaking English and being sarcastic is a crucial part of my
sanity. We ate vegetables and meat, a
rare thing in village. We drank sprits and acted silly. As I sat out on the river staring at our bond
fire, I realized this was just what I needed.
A time to decompress and discover I am not the only one thinking these
crazy thoughts and understand I am exactly where I should be in this experience.
And that is how you turn a down slope into an up slope. [Lesson learned: step
back, take a breath and spend some time with some close friends]
By the 3rd week at site
the things I was seeing, smelling and experiencing were not so foreign to me
anymore. If you remember from the first
blog post I talked about really living in a place and talking to the old man
when I go to the market? Well I am
living that and it is not just one old man it is everyone I pass on my way to
anywhere. In this small village, in the
bush, in this country of Gambia I am more popular the Brad Pitt. Everyone always knows my where abouts, what I
ate for lunch, if I liked it or not, if I danced and even when I am talking a
showering and sleeping.
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