This and That

Although it looks like we're on a flat surface, I can guarantee you that Reinet (the patron saint of Rioja) and I had a decent hike up this "Iron Hill" in eastern Senegal. Never realized until I posted this photo but it seems we are dressed as if we belong to the Malian Chapter of Che Guevara United. I really need to wear a pink scarf or some colorful bangles when out in the bush.

Tabaski seemed to have went well for those who celebrated it. I handed out candy instead of lamb shanks and all recipients were quite appreciative (despite they probably ate the candy after their lamb chops).

I wanted to take some time to say how grateful I am for the Lebanese population of this area. We have some wicked awesome Lebanese dudes on site here who keep the pantry stocked with whole grain flour and soy milk and the DVD player spinning Wes Anderson movies. They can get anything--anytime. I think I will be forever indebted (and probably would not have lasted more than a week in Mali) without all the Lebanese-owned businesses throughout West Africa. I look forward to one day visiting Lebanon and giving everyone a big hug.

I would also like to give hugs to my dear sweet Mandy with her lovely compliments. She is definitely one of the ladies I admire most. Speaking of Mandy, did you know there is a Sammy Terry fan club on Facebook?!?

Viva Tabaski!

I have been camping this weekend and it was fabulous. We camped on a hill about 1500 feet up. In the photo, you will see the view from our campsite and the Senegal river. On this side of the river is Mali and the other side is Senegal. We saw a few monkeys on the hike up and heard them all night long--similar to sleeping through a grandmothers' tea party at the Synagogue. On the return hike, we ran into one of the local villagers and when we explained what we were doing, he was shocked that we survived the night because "devils live on top of the hill." Local Malian folklore always says evil spirits live on top of each of the big hills around here. If the evil spirits happen to be the beetles that were crawling all over my backpack this morning, then call me a local folklore believer.

Tabaski begins tomorrow, here's a website with a great explanation of it: http://www.nhm.org/africa/tour/unit001/016.htm Not exactly my cup of tea. Evidently all the cows, chickens and goats in the villages give a sigh of relief on Tabaski. I'm certainly one of those people who would be a strict vegetarian if I had to do my own slaughtering--let alone doing it for religious purposes. My heart and thoughts go out to all the local sheep tomorrow and I tried my best when I suggested they slaughter heads of cabbage this year but I received the "you are a crazy white lady" look again. I would love to go on a sheep rescue mission tonight but I think the other person in this household might object to my compassionate efforts.

By the way, for those of you who might like to know, here's a great story of some "real" American Ambassadors to Mali........ (just when I thought Air Force dudes couldn't be any more sexy, along comes Humanitarian Air Force dudes.....)

http://www2.hurlburt.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123126767

Is it really December?!

Wow! It's really December. (only 16 more days til Galicia!!) The temperatures have finally gone down to the lower 90's during the day and 70's at night. It scares me to think what the Spring will be like. I'm told it's the hottest part of the year. Oh Joy.

Everyone is preparing for Tabaski, which begins on Monday. I will explain more about Tabaski later this weekend. FYI-Vegetarians might want to skip my Tabaski post. Ramadan and Tabaski are equivalent to the Christmas/Easter or Rosh Hashana/Yom Kippur of Mali Muslims.

By the way, did I ever mention the local language here is called "Bambra" and that Mali means "hipopotamus" in Bambra? Now you know--impress your friends.

Another interesting Mali factoid is Lemongrass grows wild here. Back in Houston, there was only one Asian grocery store (in a town of 4 million) where you could buy fresh lemongrass. There are at least 8 lemongrass patches in the back yard. Now if I could just grow some nacho and India Pale Ale patches in the back yard, life would be beautiful. The other night I actually tried making tortillas with the local corn flour here, I think "disaster" is a relatively appropriate description for how they turned out. Oh Texas cuisine--how I miss thee.

By the way, I added a photo of my Mali/Senegal border crossing from this past weekend. First class.