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.

***

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 

Temperamental Shower

URGENT UPDATE: It’s remains very HOT!!

...and we did our first beach day yesterday...beeeeeeauty!

***

So, I’m sure this comes as no surprise to any of you, but the daily routine here in The Gambia differs from that which we are used to back in Canada. “Well Duh! Thanks for the wonderful insight, Matt”...is what I’m sure you are all saying. Give me a minute to elaborate, please.

Most of us, back home, don’t put much thought into our morning routine; waking up, putting on a pot of coffee, and stepping into the shower. Now, yes...I knew that there wouldn’t be Sportscentre with Jay and Dan or the “Top 10” to start my day. And, yes...I knew that coffee would consist of boiling a pot of water and adding Nescafe (‘Gold’, mind you...it’s really not that bad). But, I have to admit, even I was startled as I awoke Wednesday morning—having not showered since leaving Fredericton at 6am Monday, to finally cleanse myself of all that film of travel that just sticks to you—to find only a tiny stream of water vacating the shower tap as I turned the knob.

You see, here, we are fortunate enough to be fully equipped with a well-sized bathroom, replete with toilet and sink that would be recognizable back home, as well as a stand shower (although just an open area in the corner of the bathroom). However, what we didn’t consider upon arrival is that the water pressure (while seemingly always present at least a little) fluctuates depending on the time of day. While we can always brush our teeth and wash dishes, the pressure is not strong enough to take a proper shower in the morning.

“Ah...M.C.” I said, “How did you get this thing to work last night?” (she having been smart enough to shower once we settled in, Tuesday night). After some jiggling (of the shower knobs) to no avail, off to work I went for the first day. Getting home at the end of the day, I was intent, once again, on a refresh and a de-stink. Again, to no avail. Ohhhhh, I thought, this is why we purchased these buckets.

THE BUCKET SHOWER PROCESS:

-          Turn shower knob on – Small stream of water exits bottom tap

-          Place Bucket the first under stream

-          Lather

-          Take Bucket the first (two inches full of water) and douse oneself

-          Meanwhile, Bucket the second is placed under water stream

-          Bend over to place head under bottom tap for extra dousing

-          When Bucket the second in two inches full, remove and douse

-          Meanwhile, Bucket the first is placed back under water stream

-          Continue until desired cleanliness is reached

And, so it was that we came to know that morning showers, and in all likelihood afternoon showers, are bucket showers. Since Wednesday, we have come to realize that after dark (past 7:30pm) we are able to shower as anyone back at home would. And the routine is set accordingly...exercise happens in the evenings. Showering happens before bed. Mornings are for teeth brushing, deodorant applying and cob-web shaking.

From The Smiling Coast...Until next time, Don’t Stop Believin

Matty

***

CRIBBAGE UPDATE: 5-2 lead for yours truly

Welcome to the Smiling Coast...c'est chaud

So, we made it! And, finally made it to the internet...well internet that didn't cut out before I got the chance to sit down and write (I did manage to read the 100+ emails, last night, circulated by the Wanderers boys, and then abruptly had the internet cut out at La Parisienne).

So, this Friday evening, as I enjoy a JulBrew (Gambia's finest), I send you all my best regards and assure you that I have not spared a single bead of sweat since landing down at Banjul International Airport Tuesday at 6pm. Yep...it's hot, c'est chaud! The apartment that M.C. and I have so lovingly been installed in by our Gambians friends is wonderful, lots of space to sleep, relax, and even a kitchen to cook and keep our food refrigerated...but there is no escape from the heat monster (which I have just now named). We've got three fans rolling at full blast when we are home and still, I'm wiping my forehead constantly and hanging clothes out to air at any opportunity. It's hot. It didn't, however, stop this engine from tying up the jogging shoes and taking to the streets late this afternoon to give the bod a little shock treatment. I survived.

I suppose I should just clarify a little, our location here in The Gambia. We are not actually in Banjul, we are southwest about a 15 minute trip from Banjul in Fajara/Serrakunda...key thing...it's closer to the beach. We are on the coast, and from our front door, it is about a 40 minute walk to the accessible area of the beach...and IT IS STUNNING...and hot. The name of our neighborhood proper is Old Jeshwang, a cozy little hood rife with the schools, the market (right across from our place) and a juvenile prison. It bustles by day, but by night, the trusty L.L. Bean headlamp comes on as the place goes dark (but you can see the stars, which is great). Most important of all, MOM and DAD, it is safe. We take the "highway" in towards the office or towards Kairaba avenue (where I am right now), which is the main business road in Fajara. Kairaba runs from the ocean for a good clip, and it full of restaurants, supermarkets, clothing stores, cellular providers and really the whole gamut.

As you can all see, I am a bit scatter brained at the moment, as this is really the first opportunity I have had to connect to the world back home...and it is overwhelming. The things we sometimes take for granted...

As time passes and M.C. and I get better settled I will give you a better idea of what life here in The Gambia is like. Lots to talk about: Toubasky(?), bucket showers, "The Street Light", the NSGA, and much much more.

For now, I'll leave you all with this: we are safe and sound, happy and healthy...and smiling...I mean, this is the Smiling Coast :)

Till next time, Don't Stop Believin! 

Matty