Learning Africa: First weekend back in GY

It’s fascinating to me how quickly we can adjust to our surroundings. This has been my first weekend back in Ganyliel in nearly 6 weeks and it doesn’t seem like I have missed a beat. In some ways, there is a simplicity here that feels natural and is almost calming. For example, there was more traditional dancing last night… in a torrential downpour. But that’s life here and it doesn’t stop because of a rainstorm. And as heavy as the rain was, you could still hear the drumming, singing and chanting over it all. I did not venture out in the dark of night during the storm for the dancing, however I did get out today for a nice walk (or “loitering” as one colleague called it) around different parts of village. The sun dries everything quickly here and sure enough, as I approached the area where the dancing took place the other night, I saw footprints dried in the mud from last night’s soirée; the remnants of quite a celebration.

So today as the sun dried up parts of village (while also making it nice and humid... mosquito breeding ground, I tell you), I slipped into my “gumboots” (rainboots/ wellies) and walked down the airstrip to the marsh where I figured the kids would be spear fishing. No spear fishing while I was there (although some had just finished), but it was a beautiful venture around here and there.. Lots of curious eyes and little followers as the “cwaga” walked around village, so I was never really alone.