After two months of smiling and nodding at those brave enough to try to communicate with me, I have learned a great many things; sitting directly under a monkey in a tree is a bad idea, pushing a van out of mud is very similar to digging one out of snow, benches in boats are likely to collapse, and a sense of humor goes a very long way.  As always, trying to fit all my experiences into a blog is like trying to fit the ocean into a drinking glass, so I'll go the aquarium route and show you a few fish instead. Happy, Crappy, and Awkward.

Happy:
Koriteh is the end of Ramadan celebration. In a country made up primarily of Muslims who have been fasting for the past month, Koriteh is like Ron Burgandy, kind of a big deal. People spend the day cooking food and drinks and getting chores done for the day so that they can relax later. For the evening, women dress up in elaborate "complets" and have their hair done. The men get dressed up and collect somewhere to drink attaya and chat.  The children put on new clothes and wander from compound to compound asking for salibo, or a candy/treat for prayers. The only thing missing is pirate costumes and echos of "trick or treat." For me, the experience was the first village affair in which I had some ability to communicate, so it was very happy indeed.

Crappy:
Sickness. Apparently moving to an undeveloped nation  in a different climate with differing standards of hygiene  means some adjusting on the part of my body. It seems to have taken pleasure in reminding me regularly. I have had fevers, upset stomach, respiratory something-or-rather, cough, and mysterious infections, but thankfully nothing more than an annoyance. Hopefully the frequency will die down as my body adjusts.

Awkward:
Books in Mandinka are very rare and  my host family doesn't read, so I was happy to borrow a story book and read aloud to them. The only problem was that I hadn't the foggiest idea what I was reading. I was getting good reactions from everyone, so I assumed it was going well until I got to a part where everyone started cracking up laughing. Worried that I said something wrong or offensive, I asked my host dad to help me translate. As it turns out, the story was about a woman that couldn't stop farting in the house and upsetting her husband and co-wife, so she sought advice from an old woman who told her to fart only into a funnel that lead outside. Gambian problem solving everyone!

There you have it! I have survived my second month in The Gambia and I haven't been eaten by spiders yet. I will be moving to Soma in a few weeks and will hopefully have an update soon thereafter! I hope all is going well at home and for those away! Best wishes and fo naato!
With love from Africa,
Alison