October 20, 2011 2:45pm PST
Gate D71 YVR
I feel like I should be writing something deep and
insightful There are only so many things you can be inspired write about in
airport. But judging by the faces and the crowd here in the airport there is
not much interesting here.
After celebrating a my grandma’s 95th birthday
last week with my family, it astounds me the change she has seen in her
lifetime. In the next 40 hours I will travel through three continents. On a
journey that would have taken a minimum 7 weeks for my grandma’s generation at
my age one way the entire duration of my time away.
It is almost to the point where preparing for this journey
(number 6 of the sort) felt a little routine. That said, I’m a nervous traveler
(although with experience I’ve discovered how to hide it and live with myself)
Never the less, there is a piece that makes it hard to leave the known -
family, friends, comforts. Yes, we live in amazing times –
Yet for all we have and have we still can’t seem to keep it
together. If we aren’t happy/satisfied/joyful with what we have now – does it
leave any hope that technology, science, economics, politics, social systems
will ultimately save the soul of our lives?* What choices remain?
Over my short 30 years trip, I still journey to really know
myself and my faith. Jesus saviour of the world at times feels like a long shot
– time and time again I have and will continue to put my chips on this idea
that God became flesh and taught us how to live. (Unfortunately there is this whole
“Religion” of Christianity thing that I’m not a big fan of but He’s taught to
have grace for that too)
Anyways, just a few more minutes than I’ll be in a chair in
the middle of the sky!
I think I’m going to listen to some Paul Simon Graceland.
- this is not to ignore the improvements each of these areas have made. It is just a statement they don’t seem to be the solution.
Thoughts From October 25, 2011, 10:55
Travel Time
Many people ask how do you travel to The Gambia, the answer
is simple - the cheapest way possible. This year’s lowest bidder was a flight
through London’s Gatwick and then Heathrow Airports
jumping down to Casablanca Morocco before the final flight to Banjul. The total trip I
estimate is about 27 hours. This was definitely was one of the shorter duration
trip simply because I didn’t stop to sleep.
Traveling alone is generally not my preference but I have
found many who are willing to keep this kind of schedule. Some trip highlights
included, sharing a seat with Saeed a heart surgeon from Birmingham, the walk
through London’s Green park (despite the ~35kg of Luggage), my cold thai currey
and finally finishing my N.T. Wright book (After You Believe). All said, I’m
happy to be here now.
Day one!
For many my arrival was a surprise because of the heat (a
surprise to me ~25 and humid at night) many on the compound were still up when
I arrived which I enjoyed the company of before having a bucket bath and trying
to catch up on sleep.
Waking there was little point in wasting time 7 weeks will
go by quickly. Being a surprise it buys me sometime socially before there is an
expected visit. After greeting all around the compound I downed a few shots of
Ataya and ate some ta-pa-la-pa. I borrowed an unlocked bicycle on the compound
and visited Michael and the Jallow family (see previous trip posts sometime
around April or May). I was joyfully welcomed and offer bananas from the groove
we planted the year before.
As feared, the orchard in the area had taken massive beating
from what I assumed to be the combination of locusts, goats, a broken well and
general neglect. Of the 250 trees planted – I could count ~20 original trees in
good. It was not easy to see – but no comment would be made now was not the
time for such things.
It is also important to point out they had already begun a
replace orchard. This included about 30 coconut trees, a new banana plantation
and oranges.
Before I ramble on too much about this, I will no doubt
revisit this in later posts. However, one must understand Africa,
its ways and the heart of its issues. I will say that by day’s end my heart and
mind was at peace with what had happened. I believe much was accomplished in my
planting efforts last year.
I later visited Ebrima,
Victoria at CVM house and it was
chance to collect some items I had left there. Later Mariatu (my African
mother) in Senegambia it was great to see her
smile and to see her body in strong health particularly after suffering with
gout most of last year. I met a few other Toubab’s who were staying around and
enjoy a good meal.
After a good spat with the fickle Gambian internet I
abandoned hope of contacting home and started my journey home.
In addition to all said there where many other visit and
many more to come which will make for a very full week. There are plenty of greetings
to all at home particularly Mom, Dad and past visitors to the community.
Afri-isms…a quick list
Sickness is part of life: Malaria, colds, ring worms, the
trots and the like you live here long enough or at all you will have them. It makes you appreciate the healthy days.
Noise is for the benefit of all: I had almost forgotten all
this – from the 5am call to the kids preparing for school, animals, trucks,
welding and the late hours of tailoring to the 5 hour block party which started
at 10pm. There is little control or segregation. (good thing I remembered to
bring ear plugs)
Traffic Chaos: nearly had my life flash before my eyes on
the first day as an oncoming truck pulled out to pass on a narrow highway with
no shoulder – the market streets aren’t much better but at least its all stop
and go. It was a good reminder to keep my head-up.
Nani Pular!
I have decided I’m learning to speak Fula. My inability to
communicate with many (and many in their preferred language) is a truly an
impedance to continuing to help. Fula is noted by many as the hardest and most
varied language of the region so this will be no simple task, particularly in
the Kombos where Mandinka and Wolof dominate most street conversation. So
really to my lament I’ll be learning 3 languages, however, I have a good head
start and a living community to help. Here is hoping that 2-4 hours a day will
have me conversational before the trip’s end.
Priorities…
So I bought a bicycle. After the associated costs, police
hassles and carbon footprint of the motorbike I used last trip (whose blue
smoke even the locals complained about), I’m pretty stoked to give this a shot.
I paid around $150 and got a full on road bike in good shape. Not so great in
the sand but I can keep up to the diesel taxis of the paved road which will be
a huge benefit. Getting a bike was my plan from the get go. Additionally, one
of my local friends is currently one of Gambia’s top cyclists so I should
be in good shape when I get home.
Now that I got that out of the way – I might think about
buying toilet paper or my own pair of sandals instead of borrowing everyone
else’s so I can shower with out getting hook worm.
5 Star
Played my first gig at Gambia’s only five star hotel (it
is known by the locals as 5 star. As posted earlier, I brought a guitar with me
– after previous years of playing with my beaten up acoustic last year this is
a great guitar and true delight to play (and it got the thumbs up from the
locals) The gig included a plate of a full on tourist buffet and a chance to
catch up with some of my musician friends.
What is to come…
Scholarship development – business and community
development, a trip to visit communities in Guinea Bissau and Conakry, in addition ther have been a number
of exciting opportunities which have already surfaced. I will talk more about
this as time goes on.
