Time flies when you’re having fun. It doesn’t seem like two weeks since I last posted a blog. Now I’ve got to think of something really interesting to say. The truth is, now that I’m into a ‘normal’ work pattern exciting things don’t happen as frequently so it took much head scratching to get up and running. However, what is now quite normal to me will still seem alien to you.
Thought I’d post a picture of one of my classes, all happy and smiling. I’d obviously not started the lesson by then. Fast forward an hour and a half and they’re all drifting off into the land of nod. One of the tasks this week was to write a brief paragraph about themselves so that we could assess their writing ability. I had to titter at some of the spellings. Somebody loved to read ‘nobels’ (novels), one cheeky chappy enjoyed ‘creaking’ (cracking) jokes and one young lady’s most memorable time was her ‘weeding’ day (I don’t think I need to translate that one). The shop signs are just as comical we have one that sells ‘spear parts’ (spare parts). Or was it correct the first time, I haven’t actually been inside. There is also a video shop that advertises ‘A Closet for Elders’. We haven’t worked out whether or not it is somewhere you just sit down and have a rest, a cubicle to watch porno films or a special loo for incontinent customers. Maybe I’ll try it out one day as I’m sure they class me as an elder as I often get yelled at across the street ‘How are you boss lady!’
Our compound landlord, Mr Touray, who lives and breathes football, is also the manager of the teacher’s regional football team. Being very loyal tenants we went along and supported his team. We seemed to stick out like sore thumbs, toubabs and the only females there. We obviously brought them good luck as they won against all odds and survived a pitch invasion from a lost goat. You see I told you life was exciting.
Goat invasion
The West African women certainly put us drab westerners to shame when it comes to dressing up. They are always bright and colourful. I’ve been persuaded to have a Gambian dress made so I’ve bitten the bullet and spent the equivalent of £3 on material which is probably the most garish I could find, bright orange with black and yellow fish swimming around on it. Next step will be to visit the tailor and see what he can create. It should be ready just in time for ‘Tobaski’, the next Muslim festival. I’ve also entered a competition to win a ram (yes a male sheep), through my mobile phone operators. The tradition is to slaughter your ram in the street during Tobaski so the next blog entry has the potential of being very exciting. Going back to the lovely Gambian ladies, even the cleaners come to work looking very elegant and get changed into their work clothes when they arrive. This also means removing their wigs, which is all the fashion. When I entered the room last week I did think I was having another animal encounter and had discovered a huge bird eating spider sitting on the chair. Just as my bowels were about to evacuate I realised the cleaner was in the corner with a scarf on her head, my mind quickly put 2+2 together and realised where the creature originated.
June’s tip of the week – Never leave your wig unattended.
No comments:
Post a Comment