tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894484238387857661.post2187738642917473429..comments2013-12-21T04:49:15.514-05:00Comments on walking backwards: 65 Days Later...Costahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13858024885723340398noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894484238387857661.post-72994232549604732412011-08-25T17:11:54.845-04:002011-08-25T17:11:54.845-04:00Inshallah indeed! The camping food is good! Everyo...Inshallah indeed! The camping food is good! Everyone here knows this company very well, Mountain Trails or whatever it is. There are times when I feel lazy and don't want to cook anything but honestly the rare times I am at a regional house I really, really want to cook. So far I've made grandma's west indian curry a few times, slow cooked shredded beef, steamed spring rolls, mango salsa, fresh tortillas, sesame chicken and vegetables, thai noodles, and different variations of fried rice to name a few! The power of cooking as a stress reliever is amplified here by the distance from home and hearth. <br /><br />The name of the hotel is Hotel Sehelia, in Kounkane. I can't find an address online but I'll ask them when I go there next.Costahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13858024885723340398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894484238387857661.post-39126208061022952872011-08-25T14:00:19.776-04:002011-08-25T14:00:19.776-04:00Hi Costa,
Inshallah, your host father will loan y...Hi Costa,<br /><br />Inshallah, your host father will loan you the donkey cart. Maybe he wants you to pay him for the use of his donkey cart. I am sure you will figure it out, inshallah.<br /><br /><br />Did you ever use the camping food? I am wondering if they are any good since I didn't try them before sending them on to you. They received good reviews onlines. <br /><br />What's the name and address of the hotel you frequent in town? <br /><br />Posting the list of things you would like to have is a terrific idea.<br /><br />Love,<br />SeongyYour favorite aunthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11223789275661786596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894484238387857661.post-34301908046807851492011-08-25T05:39:08.242-04:002011-08-25T05:39:08.242-04:00I wish he said inshallah! At least then he wouldn&...I wish he said inshallah! At least then he wouldn't be dodging my request. But he said bismillah in this particular case which in Senegal is used right before you start eating and right before someone enters a room as a way of invoking god and thus warding off the devil. It has gained a general meaning of "go for it!" or "go ahead!".<br /><br />Thanks for the wishes of good luck. School ended in June and won't be in session until the end of the rainy season in October/November. I intend on getting the pot and other things for the school kitchen when I purchase paint and other materials for the Children's Hut. My village is 15km into the bush so to get these things from the market to my village will require the use of a donkey cart or a car. It'll be better to knock it all out at once. I've yet to budget everything out yet either, so I best not spend money here and there.<br /><br />I have a small tank of gas, like a portable gas stove, and I have a pot and a tea kettle. So if I ever cook in village it's usually coffee or tea, popcorn (I brought some kernels from America), or pasta with a sauce I invent on the fly. Boutiques in my village (there are 3 people that sell things from a hut in their compound) sell little packets of tomato paste but also vinegar, oil, salt, pepper, onions, garlic and peanut butter among a few other things. I experiment sometimes, I'm sure you can imagine, haha.<br /><br />No I don't need anything! The want of American food is pervasive but natural among us volunteers. I've now created a list of things I'd like from America. It's on the right side of this blog. I have to stress that I don't NEED anything, but as a volunteer it's impossible not to want specific foods and items that made you happy back home. Check the list out!<br /><br />Thanks for the comment!<br /><br />Love,<br />CostaCostahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13858024885723340398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894484238387857661.post-4567296163009203382011-08-25T00:47:31.023-04:002011-08-25T00:47:31.023-04:00Hi Costa,
It's good to hear from you. I am g...Hi Costa,<br /><br />It's good to hear from you. I am glad you had an enjoyable tracation. <br /><br />So, your host dad says "inshallah" to you, not "Bismillah". It's the ultimate blow-off. It means "God Willing". Inshallah is often used when you don't have a prayer in hell to get what you want. The worst thing a patient can hear in a hospital in the Middle East is "inshallah". It pretty much means you won't be getting whatever you are asking for (e.g. a bedpan, an <br />x-ray), etc. So, good luck getting borrowing that donkey cart. He has something that you want and you probably have something that he could use, so maybe you need to trade with him.<br /><br />Your plans for the school and garden sound terrific. Good luck with all of your plans. Did you ever get a pot for the school? Just wondering...<br /><br />Do you actually cook for yourself in your village? Let me know if you need anything. <br /><br />Have fun then hurry home.<br /><br />Love,<br />SeongyYour favorite aunthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11223789275661786596noreply@blogger.com