While I have adjusted to the arid Sahelién landscape, I miss water. Yesterday, working in the office, a sensation of longing doused me with thirst for rain, out of the blue. (you like the accidental alliteration of images there? that's for my friends who miss my puns :)
I long for a dark rainy evening in which to walk home from work, because I forgot my umbrella. I would love to sit by a stream in a shady forest. When we have a rare cloudy day and the wind kicks up mysteriously, I have the sense it should snow, the dust looks like flurries…
Awful Thought:
If someone would like to torture me, they could simply lash me to the trunk of a tree in which resides a flock of guinea fowl. In a matter of days, I would go stark- raving mad.(can you guess the background noise I'm hearing?)
You birders might like to find a sample of their tortuous song on a birdsong website, then you'll know what I mean.
You birders might like to find a sample of their tortuous song on a birdsong website, then you'll know what I mean.
Nice Thought
Well, it was a nice thought anyway- winter, that is. I kept chomping after the carrot strung in front of my face, as friends here assured:
"by November or mid-December you'll need a turban, a sweater, socks…"
"just you wait- next week the wind will really start- oh wow!"
"by mid-January it will be cold like Europe"
"just you wait, it's chilly now, but the real cold will come- next week or the next"
Well, with one hand of truly frigid days to note on the calendar (3 in Dec, 2 in Jan), I think everyone here agrees that we've left winter behind in the dust. 40°C in the shade yesterday. When I exclaim that it's hot, they all say now, just wait until May! Then it's REALLY hot!
When I remark on the mal-calcultated forcast, locals here agree that it has been a abnormal winter and people know about global warming. Makes me glad I rode my bike a lot at home. Also makes me brag of all my friends and fam who carpool and bike, so I can tell friends here that we are trying to make a difference!
Already my body starts adjusting. Last night under the moon, when the night breeze finally eased its way out of the darkness, I got cold, and I would guess it was just shy of 30° C (80's)
"by November or mid-December you'll need a turban, a sweater, socks…"
"just you wait- next week the wind will really start- oh wow!"
"by mid-January it will be cold like Europe"
"just you wait, it's chilly now, but the real cold will come- next week or the next"
Well, with one hand of truly frigid days to note on the calendar (3 in Dec, 2 in Jan), I think everyone here agrees that we've left winter behind in the dust. 40°C in the shade yesterday. When I exclaim that it's hot, they all say now, just wait until May! Then it's REALLY hot!
When I remark on the mal-calcultated forcast, locals here agree that it has been a abnormal winter and people know about global warming. Makes me glad I rode my bike a lot at home. Also makes me brag of all my friends and fam who carpool and bike, so I can tell friends here that we are trying to make a difference!
Already my body starts adjusting. Last night under the moon, when the night breeze finally eased its way out of the darkness, I got cold, and I would guess it was just shy of 30° C (80's)
Just Thought About it
That our clinics serve thousands of kids each year, with only natural lighting and no electricity. Running water comes from tubs filled and mounted on stands. Never missed it.
Forgot about cookies and ice cream.
Haven't worn socks for 5 months.
Forgot about washcloths- haven't used one since July.
Half a year in one of the hottest areas on the globe and never once thought about getting a tan. My legs are winter white! My feet on the other hand (uh, other foot?) are brown. And I never use sun screen. I just gravitate to the shade or cover up.
Just thought about it that I am really going to miss this place.
Forgot about cookies and ice cream.
Haven't worn socks for 5 months.
Forgot about washcloths- haven't used one since July.
Half a year in one of the hottest areas on the globe and never once thought about getting a tan. My legs are winter white! My feet on the other hand (uh, other foot?) are brown. And I never use sun screen. I just gravitate to the shade or cover up.
Just thought about it that I am really going to miss this place.
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