Lunch Break

Elusive. Sometimes, that's the best way to describe my work.

Like, I can see it in the distance, and I want to get there, and sometimes, in very small ways, I do. But, often, it seems I get stuck somewhere in transition. So, it's a battle to work through it all.
. . .

I came back from the Gambia. It was supposed to be a relaxing time. And it certainly was, for half of the time. The other half was spent traveling in a bus on very bumpy, pot-holed roads. Although, according to a good friend by my same name, they only rank a 3 out of 10 for poor quality. I'm not sure I'd want to find out the 10.
. . .

The Gambians never asked for my passport at the border. 25,000 CFA not used, even though spent. I did, however, get my passport stamped on the way back in because I really wanted to be able to sort of prove to Senegal, if they asked, that I did not stay in the country for longer than 3 months at any given time. We'll see if that even matters.

Still, it was a nice place to stay at, some great food, some great dancing. I was chosen to be the "play boy" (hmmm) for the Fatick Base (there were 5 other bases, I think, and 6 other contenders for top "play boy"). I ranked 6th. I think they did that only to be nice. But, it was fun strutting the stage, dressed in who knows where it came from clothes found in the room behind the stage. It was all about fun, and it was. So, that's all that matters.

Where they get the name from, or whether they understand its connotations here back home, I don't know . . .
. . .

Currently, I'm in Dakar. Trying to connect with a number of international NGO's. Mildly successful. I'm connecting to a few, finding it difficult to connect with others. I'm hoping that some of the meetings I have will be somewhat insightful, or at least put me in contact with other people who might be able to provide that insight.
. . .

Other than that, I will spend time trying to research information on the country. Information I might find useful, that might explain the people and their attitudes. I'm going to try to take it easy over these next few days. Not necessarily in terms of my work, but in terms of my attitude. I'm writing in a current state of stress. Probably because I don't feel like I'm getting too far in my research outside of the villages. A lot of information I don't have, I know I'll be able to get online when I go back home. No problem. And only when I'm in the villages can I really do anything about learning about their perspective. So, I need to take a chill pill and let myself learn what I can from the international organizations here in Dakar. And then leave the rest alone.
. . .

My head silently and subtly throbs; my body keeps working, and therefore, so do I. 3 months, unless something is forced from me.

Necessity is the mother of change. I seem to be without a mother at the moment. I hope she never arrives.
. . .

I am going to try to talk with a contact of the Centre de Suivi Ecologique today. As well as someone from the International Development Research Centre (from Canada) here in Senegal. Hopefully this afternoon.

Then I'm going to read some information, grab a few drinks, and take it easy.
. . .

Lunch is over. Back to work.