Nyogome

OK let’s try this again.

Remember when we had to “save” our documents in case the power went out or the computer locked up? I guess we still have to do that in Africa.

So, I wish I had something clever or profound to share. But I’ve been drawing blanks of late. If I were more creative I’d be able to amuse you with what parts of my life might amuse an accidental reader (assuming there are not other kinds). But, alas, I am not. So. I’ll bore you with the little odds and bods (and occasional little sod) that have been amusing ME.

First of all, the Nyogome. Nyogome is the Bambara word for Camel. And I am in love with camels. At this point I’m a little afraid that I am revealing how few things I think about. Have I blogged about this before? Oh well, who cares? You should know my affinity for Camels, so long as you care to know anything about me. I seek out the company of camels. I’m always sort of asking around for camels. I’m talking about the animal, right? Not the cancer catalyst. I live in a part of Africa where camels walk by, but don’t necessarily hang out. The nomadic families have one (along with children with hilarious hair shaving patters riding on donkeys [ballpark amusing]) or two at the end of their train. They stop by but they’re hard to track down sometimes. I guess camels can walk.

Any further north and I’d be in camel lovers’ (not like that) paradise. But here it’s just an infrequent thrill. Tuesday is my market day. I love the Sofara market. I haven’t found a better balance of culture and goods and flavor than what’s found at my own town’s market. On Tuesday I was at market running an errand or two and my little buddy Adama said “Isa, Nyogome file” (Issa, check out the camel). Like a baby on task, interrupted by a passing balloon, so too was I by that camel. Hey, was that an epic simile? Eat your heart out Homer. Sorry, OK so I just start following this Camel. Where do you suppose guy is going with his camel? I don’t know. I don’t care. I’m on it like spice on a rack (which is a thing now). I’ve got stars in my eyes and a smile on my face.

I’m not sure what it is. Here’s part of it: They make me feel like I’m on another planet. You know that awesome pickup line, “Is this a space station, because you are out of this world?” That’s like what I say to camels. They are way underrated. The camel owner guy was kind of a hay seed and I don’t think he could imagine why I was in such awe about his beast of burden. So, I’ll be on the lookout.

I think maybe if I wasn’t sure they wanted to kill you, elephants would be cool. But I’m pretty sure they do. Camels are like domesticated awesome.

Sorry, I was meaning to be done talking about that.

What else?

So my house is made out of mud bricks right? They are pretty thick, like 12 inches or something. So that’s how thick my walls are. And my windows are that deep. So on the near side there is a screen. On the far side there is a grate that can be opened and closed. In each of my windows there is a lizard and a gecko. They are like my first line of defense against bugs. I guess I just thought it was funny that in America we have terrariums to keeps lizards and here we have windows. That’s not very interesting.

Still, anything that eats bugs, I’m ok with.

The corners of my house have spiders hanging out in them. I’m cool with it. I encourage it. They eat bugs that eat me. You know that old saying, my enemy’s enemy? Same thing. In fact, two nights ago I heard a squeek squit squilt!!! And flashed my flash… light… my electric torch! Up to see a bat flying through my house. In America, isn’t that like grounds for freaking out? I was ok with it. I went to sleep. Honestly I’m impressed that he could get in and find his way out.

Speaking of torches. I went to a friend’s house in Sevare to spend the night and walked into the room where I was to sleep and instinctively clicked on my head(nerd)lamp. I’m no longer used to houses that have light switches. And… you know… electricity. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for it. I also like showers and water that comes out of pipe on command. Novel.

I’m good btw. Oh you might be amused by this. (and by you I mean I).

After I had malaria and shisto and amoebas I came back to Sofara and everyone was like “you have gotten skinny” and “Allah give you rest” and whatnot. All sorts of people were consistently telling me I was skinny (this is not a good thing btw). Lately I’ve been getting a pretty consistent “you’ve gained weight!” and “you’re fat!” (kind words). So take courage in that mom.

AND

I’m taking vacation in less than a month!! I can hardly wait. I’m going to India and Korea and WILL be fat when I get back. I’ve been looking at this travel book on India and salivating over the yummy that’s to be had. And Korea? Kim chee? Korean bbq? Pi bim bop? Forget about it.

I’m going to get my fill of travel for a spell. Check out this flight itinerary:

Bamako, Mali -> Adis, Ethiopia -> Bombay, India -> Bangalore, India -> Bombay, India -> Hong Kong, China -> Seoul, South Korea -> Hong Kong, China -> Bombay, India -> Adis, Ethiopia -> Bamako, Mali

Fwewf.

Someone check my spelling. I have to go back to Africa.