last I heard it was in barcelona

That would be my air shipment. So I have an air shipment and sea shipment. The air shipment usually takes between 2 days and 2 weeks.... haven't seen any signs since it left me on March 15^th. Maybe I'll have the first ever sea shipment that arrives before air.... well, sea takes 2-6 months, so that would definitely be a record. I last heard that the sea shipment left the states on a barge over the Atlantic on April 11^th (after a long and arduous journey from Alaska over land, sea, and land again. I last heard the air shipment was in Barcelona, with carriers to Banjul refusing to load it, (Nevermind that my flight here from Europe was ¼ full and there's been plenty of empty flights since).

perhaps my shipment is coming via the slow boat?

So this will be my official rant entry. It all started with a whack on the head by my big cast iron gate. I'm still getting used to these walled compounds with large gates for cars and people. I was moving a little too quickly shutting the beast and took it flat on the side my cheek bone. No shiner yet, but a good lump and big headache. Lesson learned.

I was on my way to go car-shopping again – a real task to find a vehicle in good condition that can handle the deep sandy back roads. Import taxes are high, so everything's expensive and it's a matter of finding reliable private owners. I'd love a beater car, but I've heard too many stories of people paying triple the value and having it die in 3 months. There's a steal of a deal on a sedan, but it just can't cope with the sandy back roads (in some ways like driving on powder over ice, for you Alaskans). 

So on this skull-cracking morning I decided to check out a small 4WD. When I say small, I mean small. A 2006 Suzuki Jimny. Not a model they sell in the US so you won't find it in the blue book, but I want to say “flimsy excuse for SUV” like Geo Tracker or something. But really, that doesn't even capture it. In fact, it's the Barbie Safari car. Yes, that's it – but in silver instead of pink camo (equally bad?).  Okay, just found a picture online. Does it look hot on the beach or what?

This must be taken with a wide-angle lense.

But here's the deal – it's great for what I need. Fuel-efficient for mostly just driving to work, yet capable of off-roading when needed. Only very very small people would even dare enter the back seat and the driver's seat needs to be all the way back for my medium-tallness to even think of using a clutch. But that should keep my taxi service to a minimum – no one will want to ride with me. Let's not even discuss 0 to 60mph. But I've learned many a time that there is no 0 to 60 in The Gambia. The truth is, it's in great shape, the right price, and will do what I need. So let it be known, I may be on the brink of buying Binta's Barbie Safari Car!

This week I've had a young visitor from Homer, traveling the wilds of West Africa and Europe after college. Kristen has officially been adopted by the Peace Corps gardener (who was at my first house) and volunteers. Oh yeah, I moved. I'll be sure to share photos later... I now live at the residence with the green vervet monkey (see older post). It's actually my pet attack monkey (it bit the last guy on the way out). I love the bantaba (sitting under it now) and back yard, though I haven't had much time to enjoy it yet or hang much with Kristen. With the federal budget crisis I've been managing the trickle-down effect on our Peace Corps post. Lots of bad news this week, but also a wonderful staff that is incredibly supportive and willing to take on the daunting task of trimming together. On that note, I should probably stop typing and enjoy this cool breeze, stars and beautiful full moon.