Before I head out for three month challenge I’d like to answer some of these questions!
Where do I live? In a house of course. It’s round, with a thatched roof, just like yours right!? My house is about 15 feet across. It has 2 doors, 2 windows and is make of mud and cement blocks. The floor is concrete. It’s very nice with white walls. There is a ceiling type curtain of rice sacks to catch the bits of grass that fall out of the roof. I have to sweep daily to keep clean.
My Compound: Has 4 house huts and a cooking hut, and a nice fence around it. We have several mango trees, a neem tree and 1 tamarind tree.
What do I eat? Rice, mostly, with sauce of some kind. Also coos (aka millet). Sometimes there’s fish or fish balls. Potatoes and onions, cabbage, maybe eggplant. Not too many veggies usually. Whatever is available seasonally. There is a rice porridge called churro that is good for breakfast. (So if you want to send me anything besides rice, that’s be great!)
How do I get around? I have a brand new bike! Thanks American Taxpayers! Also I walk and take vehicles called gelly-gellys. A gelly-gelly is a ridiculous van that holds 10-20 people. It’s like a sardine can on wheels. A trip by gelly usually involves a breakdown of some sort. They drive up and down the main roads and you flag them down like a taxi. The ride is bumpy and dusty, and often the person sitting next to you has a live chicken or other strange parcel.
Are people nice? Generally yes. But like with anywhere you have to be on your guard. When you can speak in a local language Gambians love it and are very happy to help and assist.
What will you do? Ha, good question. I will return to my village for the first three months of service for Three Month Challenge. I am encouraged not to leave my village during that time. I will work to build relationships, learn language, and integrate with the community. I will begin to assess what the community needs and what I can provide as a volunteer. For the next three months I will work to make The Gambia my home away from home. For now, I’m looking forward to making baobab juice and sitting under my mango tree in the backyard. Maybe I’ll construct some interesting blog posts. I’d like to start a garden in my backyard.
ASH!
ReplyDeleteGelly-gelly vans sound exactly like dala-dalas in Tanzania.
They take a little getting used to for sure, but they're kinda fun after awhile, yes?
Miss you lots!
Hils