Third Goal

I made it here finally. The Gambia is more beautiful than I could have imagined… and more harsh. The weather is hot and humid though this season is ending now. The Gambians are very nice people who are eager to smile and greet. One of the most useful things that one can do is to say Salaamaaleekumand then continue on with questions about the other person’s children, family, home, and work. I am learning to speak Pulaar which is the language of the Fula who are traditionally farmers. Others in my group are learning either Mandinka or Wollof. The three cultures here are spread out through the country and so knowing which language you will speak does not necessarily indicate where you will end up or what your project will consist of. The language and culture training is intense, well-organized, and comprehensive. We are staying in Serrekunda which is a large urban area but in three days we depart from here to Tendaba Camp and our training villages where this intense learning will continue. To get to know the country a little we have been travelling to markets, fishing villages, and natural parks such as Katchakalli Crocodile Pool. Many of the group are struggling with stomach discomfort and intestinal problems, heat exhaustion, and reactions to the cocktail of vaccinations that we have been served. In spite of that, everyone seems eager to continue and e in learning more and more. Our Language and Culture Helpers (Gambians) are very insightful and never tire of our endless questions.

Internet access here is dicey coupled with the fact that we are kept very busy but I will try to post as often as I can. I hope that all of you are doing well.

Matt

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 2nd, 2007 at 10:22 am and is filed under Africa/Western Africa/Gambia . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.