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!

Jan 22 - Living in Dubreka

After a couple of weeks in Dubreka, I'm beginning to get a little of the hang of this life.  Oh, compared with 99.9% of Africans, I have a lavish, lovely, extravagant lifestyle - but that's another topic.  I do have a lovely 3-bedroom home (comes with my job) with water tower, generator, air conditioner, TV, gated fence etc.  Unfortunately, I do not have electricity, running water, or internet.  Somehow I'm so "AMERICAN" that these limitations are a real struggle!  I do realize that millions of Africans do OK living without these "necessities" but it's really hard to do a job, to get ahead, or to even do more than just survive in conditions like this.  Most of the time I do just fine.  Sometimes it still gets to me though.

The school year finally got started and I'm teaching a "graduate" class in "How to Be a University Professor of Music."  I have 7 students and was given a request by the Director that I prepare these students to possibly be hired for the following year.  That's certainly a challenge!  We meet M/W/F afternoons and it's been quite interesting to see what they are capable of doing.

I also finally got started with a group of students to help with the SikLik notation project that I've been working on.  I didn't know what to expect from students coming from a culture that does not use music notation.  They start learning to "read music" when they get to the University.   And then here I come with a new form of notation...  That's actually been quite fun to work on.  We use a circular design and bottle caps to notate the cyclical patterns of the Guinean traditional rhythms.

My family is coming to visit!  I look forward to their arrival.  I've been saving extra water and tanks of gas so they don't have to sit in the dark!  (Still no internet - had to come into Conakry to get access.)

Jan 14 - No Internet

This is late and it will be quick.  No internet in Dubreka.  Made a quick trip to Conakry to try and get a view things done (and use the internet!)  Just wanted to let you know I am alive.  Theoretically we'll get internet in 2 weeks at the school where I'm teaching.  I just wish we'd add electricity and running water to the list of things that we're trying to get...

Jan 9 - Back in Africa

I'm back.  It's a long trip but it felt good to get back to Guinea.  Still working on a plan to get from Conakry up to Dubréka where I will live and work.  I enjoyed my time in Bemidji - enjoyed seeing friends from church and school.  I enjoyed spending time with my best friends, Sue and Clyde.  School here starts tomorrow so I gotta get busy!

This Snow-Angel was done in honor of all of my African friends who are dying to see snow!

Jan 5 - Visa in hand!

My passport and newly-issued visa for Guinea came in today.  YAY!!!  Back to getting ready to leave, travel, unpack in a new house, and be ready to teach on Monday.  This would be a tad easier if I knew what I was going to teach.  I've enjoyed my 2 weeks here in Minnesota with Sue and her family.  These 2 weeks were a gift from God - no question.

Jan 4 - Good news in the air!

My visa company in Washington DC has been working diligently on my behalf.  Thank you, Travel The World Visas!  After much discussion I apparently have a visa and my passport will be FedExed to me in time for my Friday flight back to Guinea.  YIPPEE!

Sue is doing a little better.  Still fighting and still hanging on.  I'm very proud of her.  I've enjoyed having a little time to spend her and her husband over the holidays.

Hard to think hot & sweaty in packing to go back...

Jan 1 - Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all those following this blog.  I'm SUPPOSED to be arriving back in Guinea today but, due to visa problems, am having the opportunity to stay in Minnesota for another week or so.  Minnesota blessings?  Snow, no sweating, steamed crabs and Chinese food with friends yesterday, and watching the Florida Gators in the Outback Bowl in TV.  GO GATORS!  My friend, Sue, is weak and tired but *noticeably* better than she was when I got here a week ago.  Praise God.