I cannot believe
one half of my service is already finished and I only have one half left to go.
Time really does fly when you are having fun. I thought in this post I would
share a bit about what I have learned my first year in this beautiful country
and how this last year has changed me for the better.
1. New Customs: I eat differently (you all know my new found
love for rice and fish on the daily), speak another language (Mandinka &
Jola), dress traditionally, practice local ceremonies (naming, wedding, and
funerals), all in just one year!
2. Professional Bargainer: Within reason, I will be stubborn
and respectful in getting items for a fair price. No, I will not pay 100,000
Dalasis for a cab ride but I will pay 8, no I will not pay 8,000 Dalasis for 3
meters of fabric sheesh!
3. "Roughin' It": No, we don't have running water,
electricity, a toilet, an oven, or air conditioning. Some would say we
"Rough It." Now, even thought with the above, I still think I have it
pretty darn good. I have a lovely family, wonderful friends, a roof over my
head, and almost always a full rice belly.
4. Creativity: Living here has taught me to be creative with
any materials I find. I have found creativity in ways I did not even know I
had. Don't have a band-aid, that's okay tie a clean piece of cloth around your
wound, MacGyver Medicine never looked so good.
5. Master of Moderation: We practice the art of moderation
daily. Maybe it's in the water we use or with our flashlight batteries (the
moon works for light most of the time), we just use less and moderate more. (Ok
maybe not in Kombo when I eat though).
6. Fierce Independence: I know it's never bad to ask for
help, but knowing I can work through almost any and every problem on my own is
simply invaluable.
7. Humbling: I know this one seems cliche, but I really feel
this way. I feel so blessed each and every day. I live in a palace back home
and I did nothing to deserve that.
8. We Sweat...But it Doesn't Have to be the Small Stuff: I
try not to freak out about getting lost, waiting on the side of the road after
my jele jele breaks down, or the green bus, and when plans I make never work. I
have realized there is just no point, I will get there when I get there, and
events may not be perfect but they will be something.
9. Embrace Failure: My failures have sometimes turned into
good and lovely events. If nothing else I have at least learned from them with
good people.
10. Cherish the Small Moments: Some examples of these for me
include cooking lunch with my mom, Attayah time after lunch under our cashew
tree, watching baby Sargio my niece, impromptu dance sessions, laughter with my
family during the wee hours of the night, Kora time in the coaster with Sam,
cashew picking with my sister, teaching my sister how to read, dancing in the
warm rain, shoving a watermelon in my face and getting messy, seeing my family
after coming back from America for the first time with tears and laughter in
our eyes, the list will continue to grow, the list is never ending, and my
heart will remain too full if there is such a thing.
Here is to another year happy, healthy, and living in The Gambia!
