Birthday Bashes and Jellies

Spent a wonderful few days celebrating Catherine’s birthday and America’s birthday. Left Labe on a Sunday on a PC ride which equates to a safe ride with people that I don’t mind being squished like a sardine with in a land cruiser. Left with Tor, Amy, Melanie, Joel, Ashley, Reid and others who were going to Conakry. Our crew got out early to meet up with Catherine and the South of Labe crew. Three days eating excellent food, hiking, playing football and soccer in the rain and of course lining people up wearing red, white and blue T-shirts gently swaying in the wind to simulate the flag and singing the national anthem. Probably just like everyone in the states passed their holiday.

Since the Guinean children had really never seen American football we drew quite a crowd even in the driving rain. There was quite a relieved look on all of their faces when we switched to their national pastime, soccer. However, the questioning look came back when they realized that we were not going to put on any soccer shoes, namely jellies. Yes, I am speaking of the pink, purple, yellow, etc. jellies that litle girls wore in the states during the summers of the 1980’s. However, these are now the real men’s soccer shoe and they only come in one color in Guinea, clear. Now some of you might think that I am joking or that these jellies are only for the casual player. Don’t be fooled, I attended many district and regional soccer tournaments in the huge stadium in Leloum (probably the nicest in the Fouta) and all of the players were wearing jellies (except maybe one or two who had family in Europe that sent them real cleats). This begs the next question, what kind of grip can you get in the grass with those things. Well, since there is no grass on the field due to dry season and all the sheep and goats that wonder into the stadium this really is not a huge concern, they seem to do quite well in the dirt and mud. So now I know all you fashion trendsetters are wondering if you need to wear socks with them. I am not one to give advice on fashion but will let you know that colored socks or random patterned socks seems to be prefered to add some color to the ensamble due to the clear shoe. This does not mean that you and your team must have the same color socks. This is one way to show your personality and differentiate yourself from those around you.

For all of those that read this far you must really be a good friend or have some interest, I have a friend coming to visit me on July 25th and if anyone would like to send a note or a small treat I am sure she would be up for brining it. Just send her a quick email for her address and to confirm she has room in the lugage. Her email address is treefrog41@hotmail.com.

Going to my 6 month training (3 months at site) in 2 weeks and will be able to see all those people in other Regions that I have not seen for the last 3 months. So excited to see everyone. Also, after that off to Conakry to pick up my friend. Communication will be more frequent in the next few weeks “if God wills it” (as they say in Guniea translated from Pular).

Also, a quick note that Guinean postage stamps now cost almost the equivalent of one day’s salary so letters might be coming less frequently from Guinea but with an American stamp from those in Guinea willing to carry them back to the states.