Sneak Peak

I went out of town and came back to find KITTENS! A mama cat decided to move in to the courtyard outside my front door. She loves to hiss at me and is very protective of her little rascals. This morning I got a glimpse of one of them and his eye was all swollen. I decided that it is okay to spoil them. 

I introduced them to the treat of canned tuna and then stood back to watch. The first to step out of their hiding place was a little fella and he went after the plate with radar precision. Soon the rest followed and the mama cleaned the plate after it was finished! 

I don't think I made any new friends but at least I got to get a good look at the little darlings! I am desperate to pick one up to pet it but I decided not to do that so I have been on my best behavior when I see them. I keep my distance but I know that I will keep on bringing them treats until the day they disappear!

Multi-tasking camels

Can camels read? 

Teacher-trainees make me laugh

I love teaching. I love my students. I believe that I have the best job in the entire world....

Here are some funny moments of the week:

1. One came to class wearing a fake beard, which he covered in chalk, and went off into the world to film his group segment for the class video project.
2. A different student told me that whenever his students asked him the name of a color he didn't know, he said, "that's pink." Now his students think that about ten different colors are all called, "pink."
3. Today a student gave me his flash drive to use for a group editing project and he had all this music on it. I asked him for one of the songs and he said I could take it. It was a rap song he recorded and it was brilliant!

I feel very grateful to meet students as dedicated, talented, and hard-working as the current group I am teaching now. 

Kiffa kaleidoscope

I recently organized a workshop in Kiffa for all of the teachers in the region. After the workshop we went shopping. I was in a celebratory mood because one hundred percent of the teachers came to the workshop. They were enthusiastic and appreciative. It was perfect.

Top on the list of things to buy were Kiffa beads, glass beads made only in Mauritania. Even more than the Kiffa beads, I loved the old stone ones. I went a little overboard but I couldn't stop myself when all the ladies opened their purses and pulled out more precious glass beads. It was a bonanza! 

Not on the list of things to buy was a necklace for a cow, which is what one lady told me this item was used for: 

Does any body know if this is true or not? Another thing not on the list was a leather shotgun case, hand painted by the woman in the photo below. Although now I am thinking that maybe I should have bought it, as I am sure she could have used the cash. I bought some beads from her instead. 

I don't remember the last time I had more fun shopping. Kiffa seemed to be overflowing with treasures.

Assaba

I recently traveled to the Assaba region for the first time. No one ever told me how beautiful it was there so I was pleasantly surprised! Mauritania is stunning. 

All I wanted to do was let that horn wail...

I forgot it was a no-trombone zone.

I had just been telling my friend that it seemed like music permeated every aspect of life on the islands. Then we came across this sign. I will let Cesaria take it from here...

Islands in the Stream

I spent my spring break from classes in Cape Verde this year. I have a colleague from the same program that I am doing in Mauritania who teaches at the University there. It was a great opportunity for me to visit the islands with an amazing tour guide. My friend Melanie from Nouakchott came along as well, and of course we all packed in the fun!

First, we spent a few days hanging out in Praia. 

We visited the UNESCO World Heritage site Cidade Velha and hiked up the mountain to visit the old Portuguese Fort. 

There were amazing views of the ancient village below.

Then we moved along to Fogo, the island of fire. The big attraction there was a huge volcano that last erupted in 1995. 

The gorgeous beaches have sparkly black sand...

Our hotel had a marvelous view of the cliffs below

Back in Praia, we traveled to the other side of island to visit another amazing beach town, Farafall.

All in all, it was a fabulous vacation!