The Wedding

Another up-country trek completed, I think since I'm going on so many of them it will become a bit boring for any lengthy discussion on every trip, needless to say it was hot, I was encouraged to dance – this time the training was for the army though and my boss says I should be writing about all the experiences to include in my memoirs!

I returned from trek early as one of the other volunteers was getting married, that was quite an experience. The wedding took place at the justice department, it was totally crowded (I don't think Wendy had been expecting that but it seemed like everyone from her husband's area was there) they got heckled from the crowd when they were making their vows, with shouts of speak up, I think Wendy was very close to having the giggles at this serious moment! I got the giggles but that seems to happen to me during wedding ceremonies, I think I need to become more serious! Following the ceremony we all drove back to her husband's compound for lunch, the drive was a bit of a procession, with cars tooting, swerving about across the road, regular stops to get more branches off trees to wave, on the back of one pick up was a band of drums so there was dancing and cheering, I generally don't know how to describe it here because it was fantastic but it sounds rather dull when put to words. I have some photos too but still they don't truly show the general excitement and fun that was being had! (I wish I was able to post my photos on this blog, I might have another try soon). Unfortunately I never caught the bouquet I think it was a bad idea to share this tradition with everybody it only served to seriously increase the competition!

We were all dressed in our finest gambian clothes, which was a bit of a stress since my first outfit was a total failure – I was trying to get a trouser suit made but the trousers went disastrously wrong, its just hilarious to put them on! So the day before I went on trek with work I was shopping at 7pm as the market was closing, having looked at far too much brightly coloured sequined fabric to be able to make a sensible decision, took a total chance by going to a random tailor when there would be no time for alterations if things went wrong but luckily it seemed to work out, some even said I could wear it back home (others total me to get a grip on that idea!)

All the best to the happy couple

that's all for now folks!