And so it goes...

Wow...just like that it’s been a whole week (again) since I’ve last touched base with all my fans (appropriate to refer to all as such?). But, as quick as time must seem to fly for all those combating the quickly coming holiday season, we here on The Smiling Coast are also caught up in the swift swirl of time as it flies by...as pleasantly as the newly arrived winter breeze, I must add. Yes, the winter weather here in The Gambia is the tits! (M.C. says I can use that word) I awake in the mornings not sweaty, bike to work only mildly sweaty upon arrival, and spend my evenings enjoying the pleasant and non-insufferable winter nights.

I spent much of the last week taking a daily transit (an adventure on its own) in to our fare capital city of Banjul—a fifteen to twenty minute sojourn—to aide my fellow colleague, Yankouba Bojang (NSGA Drama Touper) conduct two Malaria prevention & Behaviour Change Communication workshops with both high school and middle school aged students. Having not ever been threatened by malaria, nor educated the littlest bit about the parasite, I was at first unsure of what my contribution to these seminars would be...until we got to the communication piece and I found my opening.

Persuasion, rhetoric, energizers and games...these are my bag, and though needing to be simplified for young minds, I was able to impart some knowledge of the Ethos, Pathos and Logos needed to convince others that sleeping under an insecticide-treated bed-net is the best way to prevent the spread of malaria throughout West Africa.

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So, now we are on our two-week holiday, while the office here closes for Christmas. Yes, we live in an overwhelmingly predominant Muslim country, but still there exists a flavour of Christmas. And, we are assured, there is lots of fun to be had both on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day—with masquerades aplenty in Banjul.

Oh yea, we (well...mostly M.C.) are hosting a Christmas Party this evening (I’m just along for my youthful good looks and wit) at our pad in Old Jeshwang for our friends, colleagues and neighbours. We are even going to try a Yankee Swap...which reminds me...I have yet to pick up a small gift. Hmmmm, best be getting on to that.

In the meantime everyone, I will endeavour to get back to this blog in short order with a report from our party and an update on our holiday happenings.

Also, I need to redeem myself in our Cribbage epic. After stretching out to a 20-11 lead, I now (after three skunks and a 9-game losing streak) find myself down 23-20...eeek. Time to turn things around.

Until Next Time...Don’t Stop Believin,

Matty