Brennainafrica’s Weblog

Paul and I recently went “camping” with a family who’s father is important to the success and easy flowing functioning of Equinoxe. In this family there are three girls, a mom and dad and a few cousins who are young boys that do a lot of the extra work for the family. There are so many things in life that I have done or situations I have been in where I feel insecure, frustrated or awkward…but to date, this experience is at the top of the awkward list. I was in the Sahara, sand at my feet, a restricting milafa wrapped around my body causing me to trip whenever I walk, around me…easily 100 Arab men and women staring at me, whispering about me and wondering why I was there. Not one person spoke English, not one person understood what it was that I was saying when I said I didn’t want to eat anymore rice, or dance, or sing…they kept asking me in the little French I knew to entertain them, laugh and sing. It was fun for a while but after the third, fourth and fifth times…Lets just say I realized how a fish out of the water feels.

We drove out with a goat and a sheep strapped to the top of our car…about 150 kilometers into the lands of Mauritania we drove. As soon as we got there the car was unloaded, we were greated with tea and smiles. The goat was immediately taken to the side and it’s throat was slit and they begin to tear it a part to prepare it to eat! I was NOT in Kansas anymore J We ate and ate and laughed (because we couldn’t talk) and we laid around under this large open tent. It was an experience but once I felt comfortable it was relaxing and really fun! Then…the three daughters wanted me to go with them to a wedding…OH a wedding…I have been to weddings in Mauritania, but this was a new village, new people, and NO English…

Under a Large tent, lights and a video camera women in their best milafas danced, the men in their booboos throwing money on the women dancing. Music playing and yelling, women on one side, men on the other. Colors, smoke and whispers all around me, but I don’t understand anything. Overwhelmed with anxiety and still the feeling of joy…to be in a place, a situation that I had never been in before and may never be in again. I was standing with these people who were accepting me as their friend and letting me experience a part of their life. It was a beautiful moment.

As the trip went on I realized how safe I felt but in the midst of such a vulnerable situation…I was in a village with people I barely knew, they spoke a language I didn’t know and I was walking around, going places with them not even realizing where I was or who was around me. I LOVE this feeling of security but still adventure and unknowing.