Salaamaleekum! October has arrived, which tends to be hot and humid. Per some volunteers it is the most miserable month in the Gambia. I am still to see that. However, it did not seem September to be much different. I remember October last year in Minnesota – I was taking a picture of the snow on the ground wishing the winter and coldness to still stay away for a bit longer. I forgot how 30F feels, even 50F! However, I miss the colors of the fall and cold/rainy days when one can lock himself in the house and spent a day sipping on tasty tea/wine biting into tasty pastry/chocolate while reading a good book or watching a movie. We have similar time here during the rain events when everything stops/slows down but they do not last long. I enjoy sitting in my house and listening to the rain bouncing off the corrugate roof or watch the rainfall with my family. During heavy rains it is so loud that nearly impossible to hear the person speaking next to you.

I like the rainy season here because of that. It also takes away a heat and makes the weather more bearable and the vegetation is abundant. However, it is a mother of molding. First time I saw my palm bed covered in green, yellow, and white mold I was shocked. I was not able to escape this experience. Yes! My clothes, shoes and anything that is prone to molding – has molded or smell moldy. Upon returning from the Portugal the rainy season should be over. Inshallah! So I am planning a major “chase the mold out” activity. Anyone is interested?

The new school year has started last week and our house is crowded and noisy again - my host sisters came back from the summer holidays. Even my five-year old host sister, Asi, is eager to go back to nursery school each day.  The money for the water project in my village lower basic school has arrived so I spent last week there digging the trenches for the distribution pipes together with some community members and schoolboys. Organizing the community as it was agreed previously turned out to be a problem, which fortunately has been sort of sorted out. Let’s say I am happy the earthwork is almost finished. So I hope we (in particular contractor) will be able to complete project before I leave for vacation in a bit more than a week. Inshallah!

I have been using a lot phrase ‘Inshallah!’ which is the most certain thing here and it is comfortingJ My Mandinka language skills are improving!... at slow pace (as everything else here) but I can communicate better with the people and surprise them when I speak Mandinka. Also when some younsters are screaming ‘toubaab’ or ‘toubaab, minti!’ (‘white person, candy’) I answer to them in Mandinka which leaves them in state of shock. I do not hear a single whisper from their mouth anymore, just a blank stare. Haha – I love it!

I am very sad to see mango season  coming to an end… my favorite fruit here! Well, oranges, bananas are fruiting and soon papayas will be ripe to satisfy fruit cravings. Rice (sometimes three times a day) can get overwhelming but I am getting used to that as well. I am fortunate to live by the city area so our food bowl has some vegetables and fish in it.

How is the fall on the other side of the ocean? I want to see it through your eyes/words. Lots of sunshine to each of you!! I hope you enjoy the reads! Any suggestions? – send them my way:)