2017

Home Sweet Home

From the moment I first set foot on this compound two years ago it felt like home and now it really does. I have finished unpacking my 20ft shipping container from the US. I do feel like a spoiled Tubaab (white person), but I know that all this shiny new stuff will become dirty andContinue reading “Home Sweet Home”

Changes

I cannot believe it, but I have officially been in The Gambia for 6 months! In many ways it feels like I just arrived yesterday; especially when I struggle through what should be a basic Wolof conversation or cannot do simple tasks without help. In other ways it feels like IContinue reading “Changes”

Waxtaan: Chanting in Wolof

The Wolof like to sit around, visit others and chat which is great for someone trying to learn the language. My chatting vocabulary is still very limited and a friend asked me the other day what exactly we talk about. Well, life here in rural West Africa revolves around family and the farm and/or gardenContinue reading “Waxtaan: Chanting in Wolof”

Sounds of the Gambia

Life here is full of different sounds, some relaxing and pleasant and others not. I am amazed at how quiet it can be at times and how noisy at other times. I have learned to identify the new sounds of sifting peanuts, pounding grain, horse or donkey carts and much more. Some nights the batsContinue reading “Sounds of the Gambia”

Appreciate Your Local Vet

While I enjoy having the company of the sweet cat I inherited, there are unique challenges that come with this responsibility. Cat food is hard to come by and expensive, so 60 pounds was shipped in my container and it has to be stored in a mouse/rat proof manner (triple layer plastic bags and aContinue reading “Appreciate Your Local Vet”

Gambian Road Trip: Getting Home

Some of you have heard me mention the challenging ferry situation here. The Gambia is a very interesting country, completely bisected by The Gambia River. I live on the North Bank side of the river and the city with groceries, etc is on the South Bank side of the river. Despite this river being almostContinue reading “Gambian Road Trip: Getting Home”

One Year

A newsletter will be coming out tomorrow which marks one year since I arrived in The Gambia (today marks one year since I left the US). I thought I would share a brief list of some likes and dislikes of my new country and lifestyle (this is by no means all inclusive) Likes: The amazingContinue reading “One Year”

Spring Cleaning and Christmas Decorating

It is a holiday here and much of the country has traveled to Senegal for a celebration of the birthday of Mohammed. So, that means it is pretty quiet around our compound. When it is quiet you have to take advantage of it. For me, today started as a day to do my Christmas decoratingContinue reading “Spring Cleaning and Christmas Decorating”

Off the Grid

Several years ago a few friends and I started backpacking short sections of the Appalachian Trail. Honestly, despite the rain, blisters, bears and pain involved these were some of my favorite vacations. I love getting off the grid and being away from everything. Well, for the next month I am going off the grid again,Continue reading “Off the Grid”

The Village Experience

Yes, I survived the month Hello everyone, I am back on the grid and easing into the busyness of the life I put aside for the last month. I have completed a month of living with a Gambian family in another village and I am currently in the city getting some rest (and a niceContinue reading “The Village Experience”