My last night...

We took this picture the night before I left...

And now it's my last night in the Gambia.

I don't even know what to write because it hasn't really sunk in yet that I'm leaving. I gotta think about this...

Crayons + Rum = Magic

I was very productive while drinking, I made them all beautiful cards...

5 days left. I'm dreading the trip to Senegal. Hauling my drum around is going to be a pain in the a**.

bye bye sheep

My Tobaski outfit. Hard to walk up stairs in it, I did a lot more shuffling than usual.
Making french fries.
...blooood...Most people work really hard before Tobaski to get one sheep to sacrifice, Musa's house had four.

She was the one that clothed me.

Tobaski Time

Sorry for the TMI but this is all I can think about right now:

I will personally slaughter three rams today if Allah let's me poop soon.

My friend's mom had a formal Gambian outfit made for me so I can wear proper clothing on Tobaski. I didn't know she was doing that for me and I have no idea what to give her as a gift. And all the stores are closed today. Oops. I'm being picked up very soon so I can go to Musa's house and watch 4 sheep be slaughtered. Then I'm going to sit around and talk for many many hours and feel bad because I can't speak Wolof.

My outfit.

Let sorrowful longing dwell in your heart.

never give up, never lose hope.

Allah says, "The broken ones are my beloved."

Crush your heart. Be broken.

-Shaikh Abu Saeed Abil Kheir

Cookies.

Balti and me on the balcony at Wow, watching the President. At about 2:00 AM the presidential convey started driving down Senegambia. It took about 20 - 25 minutes for all the cars, vans, trucks, and hummers to pass. Even though it was so late the president still stood up out of his sunroof and threw entire boxes of cookies into the street. I'm sure the tourists were bemused. A guy almost got hit by a car running out into the street trying to get one of the packages. One of Musa's friends came into the club about 10 minutes later with a huge roll of vanilla cookies. They were actually pretty good.
The best 40 cent sandwich you will ever eat. Tapalapa, spicy beans, and noodles.

Abraham and Isaac

Friday is Tobaski, a Muslim holiday. In preparation for Friday most families are purchasing sheep, which means sheep with X's spraypainted on their backs are EVERYWHERE. They are being herded up and down Kairaba Ave. I'm going to be hearing a lot of screaming sheep in three days.

http://www.accessgambia.com/information/tobaski-feast-festival.html:

Tobaski Day - Sacrificial Feast
The public holiday is also known Eid Al Adha when families throughout the Gambia slaughter mostly sheep in ritual sacrifice. Tobaski is to commemorate Abrahams willingness to sacrifice his son, Isaac, to God. It coincides with the end of the annual Hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca.

"Every married man or head of household is expected to buy a sheep or other suitable animal such as a cow, goat or even chicken if they can. After the animal is slaughtered large portions of the meat should be given to the needy so that nobody misses out on the celebrations to follow. The rest of the meat is given as gifts to friends and relatives and the rest is reserved for the family. Indeed, the idea of sharing is the essence of feast.

What follows is essentially one nationwide massive barbecue and celebrations throughout the day. Gambians should wear their finest clothes and if possible brand new. You are also expected to do a thorough spring clean throughout your compound. You are expected at sometime during the day to visit your parents, other family members and friends."

Where I eat most of my meals. Sultan Sweet.
Aysha, my club buddy.

It's the African Boy Sickness

Lamin made us dinner! I didn't believe he actually cooked because he's a boy but I was wrong. He made beans, cassava, and fish.

Eating Gambian style.
My dinner.