A New Apartment

I love my new apartment. But more than that I love the community of it. It sits on the end of a dirt road, about 3 blocks from the main raod. It's a white and green compound with 9 apartments, 7 of which are occupied by the most wonderfully interesting and kind people. The compound is full of beautiful trees, flowers and exotic birds. From the 4th floor you can look over the treetops and see into the town or out to the ocean.

Last night, after my first day of work, which was quite discouraging (but is getting much better!), I hired a taxi to take my things to the apartment. First, we went through a security check. The driver did not have the appropriate documents so he had to get out and have a lengthy discussion that he in fact did own the papers, they just happened to be misplaced at the moment. While he was doing that, I saw a small church and got the mass times from the priest. When the driver finally came back he didn't know how to get to the apartments and had to stop several times to ask. All the while my luggage, which has 4 rolling wheels, was banging around in the back because he forgot to lay it down. After a long day, this incredibly long ride was so frustarating and put me into a very foul mood.

However, when I arrived, it was like coming home. I was greeted by the Spansih man I met yesterday. My bags were quickly gathered and taken to my room, with many more offers to help. I wasn't even able to get settled (I still haven't) before people were asking me to sit, relax and chat with them. They taught me a new game- something like dominoes but the tiles are in triangles- and let me win twice! They also gave me a tour of the grounds and described and gossiped about the rest of the residents. From what I gather, there are quite a few characters!

There's a Dutch woman with a Gambian man that are my next door neighbors and have been showing me the ropes. The woman is late-middle aged and likes to wear skimpy clothing and does this cat-like growl to express any and every emotion apparently. She has really taken me under her wing and told me exactly what I do, and don't need to do in the Gambia. The Gambian man and his best friend, the manager, have also been very good to me in helping me get more comfortable with living here. I wanted to talk to Alex last night, via Skype, and the manager took me to an internet cafe and waited an hour and a half in the parking lot until I was done so he could walk me home. I had NO idea he was waiting, but I certainly appreciate him not letting me walk home alone so late. Some of the other neighbors that I haven't met include: 2 Dutch girls about my age, a very serious nursing student that may be an American, a young African family with small children, a very funny elderly Belgian man. There may be others , but that is who I know all the gossip about! The residents here often socialize, meet outside every evening, make and eat meals together and tour the country with each other. It's a family!

My personal apartment has a small living room, a somewhat large bedroom with a desk, sitting area, and armoire, a very small bathroom with no shower curtain, and a very small kitchen with a mini-fridge, cupboard, sink and gas-stove that needs more gas. I really do like it, but I can already hear my brother's sarcasm on how glamorous it is living in Africa! I really needed a place that felt a little like home and to make some friends. It is so wonderful to have that.