Happy New Year from The Gambia!

Hello all! It feels like forever since I've written and a lot has happened. Of course I can't tell you everything because somethings/stories will be better told in person. I've been there in The Gambia for 4 months and all is going well. I've been in my village getting to know my family, my community and my work.

My village is composed of 50 compounds some with large extended family living in them. Most are farmers or small local business owners (selling veggie at the local market). I’ve realized that I haven’t taken any photos yet of the village itself so I will make sure to send you some next time.

I live on the SE corner of the village in a house (that I love) that’s right next door from my family’s compound. My family, the Njie, are a very happy, kind people and are so very helpful to me. My “father” and “small father” both speak pretty good English which is nice when I’m having a bad Mandinka day. My mother is sweet and smiling all the time and my “mamma musa” and Mammadu (my grand mother and father) are the happiest nicest old couple I have ever met. Momma musa also is my language tutor in village.
My House:

Inside my house:







This is my family, again they are wonderful! I am missing 6 people. I’m planning on organizing a family prorate soon.

My grandparents (I love them!)


My father Ibrahama and little bro Yaya


My mother Jara


My small father aka uncle Lang


Yaya, my little sis Birkama and me


Some randoms




My days usually go like this…wake up about 6:30am to the call to prayer from the mosque, birds cheering, women pounding (rice in a big mortar & pestle) and donkey’s heehaaing. I have a nice breakfast of oatmeal, fruit and mint tea.
Side note: Mint tea has become a bit of a problem for me. It grows in the bush so it’s always around. I collect it, dry it and have mint tea with honey 5-8 times a day. My name is Amber and I’m addicted to mint tea. The first step to getting help is admitting you have a problem.

Then I get washed, dressed, water my veggie garden and then go greet (or say good morning) to my family. Then I start wahatever. I either:
-go to Kiang West NP with the rangers.
The posy of Kiang West

Baboons


Hooded Vultures



-work in my garden
-ride my bike to the market
-go hiking
-visit other compounds in the village
-ride my bike 20-40k to see my asome PC site mates
PC posy and my good friends Kat, Matt and Tim. New Years Day hike

-write in my journal
-get stoked because my friend that came to visit from the States
My dearest friend Andrew


-do laundry, all by hand mind you
-do research on the Park
Or go hang with my family.
My 2pm it's to hot (100d) to do anything so I read (I've read 4 books in 6 weeks:)
After 5pm it cools down and I begging domestic chores like dishes, fetching water, sweeping my dusty house (it’s always dusty). Then I read some more, eat some dinner and get ready for bed. Sometimes I have a fire and do some star gazing.

When March rolls around and my 3 month challenge comes to a close then I will start my job, I could go into it but I should save some things for later and talk about them as they develop. I will also be able to do my once a month e-mailing and blogging. Please still continue to write snail mail though, its so nice getting tangible letters.

Overall I am happy and healthy still. No crazy sicknesses or infections. My stomach agrees with the food and I’ve acclimatized to the heat or I’ve just learned how to deal with 100 degrees everyday.

Its still shocking to me to be here (and the idea this is just beginning). Sometimes I see a certain tree or bird or see something that hits the depths of soul and it still hits me...I'm in frecken Africa. Some things I've seen have been so beautiful it's taken my breath away and I soak it up for however long it last. Some things I've seen have left me shaking with shock, hurrying home so I can cry. I'm learning so much about myself (sometimes I feel myself "growing") and I'm defiantly getting a different view of the world we live in. It's all so scary and amazing to me.