Politics are all the people of Mauritania are discussing today. After the coup people began to think about their country, their future, their families and their lives overall. They are having to face issues such as extreme poverty, malnutrition, racism, segregation, lack of a decent education, government corruption and pollution. Though this seems like just a list of issues to some of you, these are situations that I have seen, experienced and thought to myself…”How do these people survive all of this at once?”Sometimes in the morning I walk down the dirt road outside of my house, on what I consider a voyage to the comfort of the café. Though the mere 2 mile walk is nothing in the eyes of those who I pass who make a journey 5 times as long coming AND going, it is always full of experience and frustration to me. AS my feet drag in the sand and I try to keep my mouth closed so it doesn’t fill with Sahara love, I observe the different people I pass. As a brand new BMW drives by me, it passes a young boy and his brother riding on the back of a donkey cart…both trying to share the road. The “salesman” on my left stare at me as though I’m the new Hybrid car with a trash powered engine and I’m some sort of a phenomenon. Though I love taking my time, strolling and listening to Norah Jones on my I-pod, I am on my guard, keeping my eyes open and making sure the 2 to 4 lanes of traffic don’t swerve to hit me.
The women on the street in dirty milafas holding their youngest children in their laps just stare at me as I pass them. I always battle with myself, should I smile at the or not? Since when did smiling become offensive? When I do smile they look at me as though they had never seen a smile before, they hesitate and then out of the corner of their mouth…a slight grin. As soon as it escapes their mouth they realize that they are uncomfortable and they retract.With sweat dripping down my head, back and legs I attempt to stay invisible with the whole world looking right at me. Taxi’s honking hoping to be the taxi I choose. Men passing me, looking at me as though I was their main dish at the outback steak house. Though danger is not even present I pick up my pace and walk more briskly to my destination with feelings of anxiety and confusion. Where am I?
Jere Witherspoon Said:
on August 19, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Wow, Brenna! Your words gave me chills – you painted a vibrant picture of your journey to the Cafe. You are amazing!
Tara Said:
on August 20, 2008 at 2:58 am
Hey Brenna,
This was really powerful. Thank you for sharing it. I think it gives me a little perspective on my fiscally irresponsibleness, as well as my frustration with my inability for a little further green living.
Tara
Tyler Said:
on August 20, 2008 at 3:28 am
Wonderful Brenna. Now it is much more than just a walk for you I bet, now that you’ve processed all that.