Oct 2 - Packing up to go again

I apologize for the long delay - tech issues with VERY slow internet!  I had to wait until I was back in the US to get it fixed.  But, now that my technology is repaired, I've enjoyed air conditioning, cool weather, running water, fast internet, the start of football season and ELECTRICITY for a while, I'm ready to go back to Guinea for another school year.  Leaving in about 2 weeks.  While I've been home I've been doing lots of presentations on music from Guinea!

Apr 25 - Happy Easter

In Conakry to use a stronger internet connection - really makes a difference! 

Life in Guinea is hard but good.  March and April are the hottest months of the year and we have really been hot.  Rainy season starts in June and, I understand, we'll have a lot of rain between then and October.  Too bad it's a one-or-the-other situation.  A little rain here and there would be welcome.

Working on a presentation on Billie Holiday for the end of (April) Jazz History Month at the American Embassy here.  She really had a horrible upbringing and then made absolutely every bad decision possible.  Yet listen to the power of her voice and her story-telling abilities.  Amazing.

A few pictures from Africa.  The first is a wildebeest tusk that was used to make jewelry.  The second is a necklace made out of hippo teeth. 

Apr 7 - Viruses and Bugs!!!!

Today I learned that the "computer lab" here in town has 65 viruses that are instantly passed on when you insert a USB jump drive.  Unfortunately the lab has the only printer in town.  So now I have 65 viruses.  Ugh.

But, in spite of the problems with heat, electricity, water, internet, and now, VIRUSES - life is good.  It's a simpler way of living.   Something very calming about that.

I hope to never see a spider this size near my toothbrush ever again...

Mar 31 - Sorry About the Long Delay

My apologies for the long delay.  Still alive - just suffering through the difficulties of 3rd world living: no water, no electricity, and very limited Internet.  But the people are marvelous - open, interested, caring, helpful.  The drum lessons are going well.  Imagine getting to play real Guinean music in a real Guinean setting!  Yes, I'm appreciating every moment of this craziness!

Feb 14 - No Valentines in Guinea!

No Valentine's Day in Guinea - but I wore red anyway.  Just a little touch of American life!  Have been quite busy recently.  Decided my life would be better with a motorbike so I had a friend show me the inner workings of the biggest outdoor market in Conakry and I bought a 70cc scooter.  Already great fun and saves a LOT of hot walking.  I have to be careful with it though, every time I slow down it seems like someone hops on the back for a ride!

Had a fascinating trip into Kindia to visit a "bush village" and learn some new Guinean rhythms.  Very interesting trip.  I even survived the village toilet system. 

Feb 9 - Drum Project

The family visit is over, the school year is underway, and finally progress is starting on my drum notation project called SikLik.  It's a newly devised notation system that is simple to read, simple to notate, but that is only useful for cyclical (repeating) rhythm patterns like one would use on in a drum ensemble.  I have a group of 6 "graduate" students who are working with me on notating the traditional Guinean rhythm patterns in the SikLik notation.  We're having a great time working with this and playing the drums ourselves.

Feb 3 - Family visit!

The last two weeks have been great fun - my family came to visit me in Guinea!  It's been fun to watch the Guinean people respond, especially, to my parents.  EVERYONE LOVES THEM!  They've become "Mama et Papa" to everyone they meet.  I was a touch worried about how they'd do with no electricity and no water and walking and walking - and they've been fabulous.  Real troopers.  I'm very proud of them.  They've discovered a little coffee shop (I use the term VERY loosely) where they got cafe au lait (with sweetened condensed milk) and "omelette sandwishes."  Great fun and a real blessing. My brother, James, and I are still big in the drumming!