Its been ages since I put a blogspot on, things have been kinda changing here but not very much. And I realised that most of what I write about is connected to what I find strange about life here but now, much that was strange to me is normal!

I'm into my new job now, its going to be interesting to see how I manage with it! But the fun thing is that I'm going to go and spend 4 weeks living up-country going to schools there to talk to teachers about life. Then when I finish that stint up there it'll be time for me to pack my bags and come back for the christmas holidays, its a hard life.

Well a new bunch of volunteers have arrived, which is good it seemed for a while there that everybody is leaving. So spent some time showing them around, trying to sound like I understand what's happening, which is not necessarily easy! Because it's Ramadan just now there are sales at the markets, bought a pair of cords for one pound yesterday (realised I will need some warm clothes to come home in!) and the fabric is like wise cheap. Ramadan will end after next weekend so there will be some celebrations for that. I'm finding it slightly funny because last year when I was at the festivals I was thinking this will be the only chance I get celebrate these things with my friends. But no, I'm still hear and keep getting mails from people I did training with who returned home at the proper time and I ponder which would be better?!

We had a little night out recently, well last night to be precise, been having a few more of them this summer than when I first arrived, but it costs a lot to drink (since very few locals do it) so one has to be moderate, or find a (moderately) rich man. I can't remember if I've talked about the 'clubs' here before. I reckon there is probably about six clubs, I've not been to a couple of them, one which I think is the Gambian underagers club (I'm really too old for that now) and another hasn't got a very good reputation so I think I better not. Last night was in one of the Lebanese run ones, there's a funny bunch of people in this country, and by that I am referring to the people who move in here, not the people who actually are from here. Because I was out with some people who are new here I kinda saw the place with new eyes again and just thought, oh my! I'm starting to have a bit of a problem with men's attitudes towards women at the moment, and again by this I am not necessarily referring to Gambian men I think I have very good coping strategies for their chat these days, I don't think its an issue I have thought overly much about before moving here but it just gets you thinking. That's my moan for today. That and I really want a nice warm shower, I know its really hot just now so most of the time throwing cold water over myself will suffice but there's a lot to be said for the joys of a water heater!

So I think that'll be me for today, let me know what you guys are all up to these days

take care.

p.s just sitting in the internet cafe posting this and I receive a phone call from a friend saying she ate half a maggot, one half found in bread, the other half unknown, its a funny old world. there seem to be maggots everywhere in this country!