Learning about Mauritania
It is our 16th day away from home, as Brian just said to me, "that's it". In a lot of ways it feels like it's been a lot longer than that. We have already experienced so much and learned so much!
We are continuing to do a lot of learning about the people and the place of Mauritania as we spend time with friends here. There is much to know. We have spent the past couple of days touring the city and meeting Mauritanian people here whom we cannot communicate with, despite the fact that they know at least 2 different languages. We met one guy who could speak 5. The official language here is French and Arabic, although there are two different types of Arabic spoken here. As well, there are a few different tribal languages spoken here. There are also distinct divisions between the different people groups here and more often than not they don't get along too well.
Yesterday we walked through the market. It was not a tourist market like all the others we've been to and we saw where the locals shop. There are tons of people and it's amazing how many different things you can find to buy out here in the middle of the desert.
Health issues are quite different here as well. Most people do not eat many fruits or vegetables although they are cheap and readily available. Children are malnourished and undervalued in this society. Many are too small for their ages and average life expectancy amoung Mauritanian people is about 50 years of age. Many women actually crave and eat stones because of the minerals in them. They are sold in all the markets and I've seen many women buying them. Garbage lies everywhere and it is not uncommon to see people "going to the bathroom" at the side of the road. Bugs and animals also carry many germs and diseases. Take a look at the donkey cemmetary. When donkey's die they are just dropped off to rot in the centre of the town.
We have had some chances to see the desert dunes here. They stretch on and on as far as the eye can see and seeing camels is a daily occurance.
I don't think we've mentioned yet how hot it is here. It is the cool season and yet the hottest temperatures I have ever felt. Our friends here make fun of us saying it's very cool right now. They don't seem to be bothered by the temperatures at all. We are drinking a lot...Brian has got on a coke kick....so Dad, Craig and Brad, bring on the coke floats when we get home.
The plan now is to spend another day here and leave Nouakchott on Thursday morning. We don't think we'll have enough time to do our camel trek into the desert now, so we may head down to the beach in Senegal for a few days (it's a lot closer!). We're still trying to figure out what we'll do. For now we're just trying to survive the heat!
We are continuing to do a lot of learning about the people and the place of Mauritania as we spend time with friends here. There is much to know. We have spent the past couple of days touring the city and meeting Mauritanian people here whom we cannot communicate with, despite the fact that they know at least 2 different languages. We met one guy who could speak 5. The official language here is French and Arabic, although there are two different types of Arabic spoken here. As well, there are a few different tribal languages spoken here. There are also distinct divisions between the different people groups here and more often than not they don't get along too well.
Yesterday we walked through the market. It was not a tourist market like all the others we've been to and we saw where the locals shop. There are tons of people and it's amazing how many different things you can find to buy out here in the middle of the desert.
Health issues are quite different here as well. Most people do not eat many fruits or vegetables although they are cheap and readily available. Children are malnourished and undervalued in this society. Many are too small for their ages and average life expectancy amoung Mauritanian people is about 50 years of age. Many women actually crave and eat stones because of the minerals in them. They are sold in all the markets and I've seen many women buying them. Garbage lies everywhere and it is not uncommon to see people "going to the bathroom" at the side of the road. Bugs and animals also carry many germs and diseases. Take a look at the donkey cemmetary. When donkey's die they are just dropped off to rot in the centre of the town.
We have had some chances to see the desert dunes here. They stretch on and on as far as the eye can see and seeing camels is a daily occurance.
I don't think we've mentioned yet how hot it is here. It is the cool season and yet the hottest temperatures I have ever felt. Our friends here make fun of us saying it's very cool right now. They don't seem to be bothered by the temperatures at all. We are drinking a lot...Brian has got on a coke kick....so Dad, Craig and Brad, bring on the coke floats when we get home.
The plan now is to spend another day here and leave Nouakchott on Thursday morning. We don't think we'll have enough time to do our camel trek into the desert now, so we may head down to the beach in Senegal for a few days (it's a lot closer!). We're still trying to figure out what we'll do. For now we're just trying to survive the heat!
posted by Brian and Erin at 11:00 AM
3 Comments:
heyo!!
Sounds like your having a bit of fun down there. Brian bring on the Coke Floats eh!! later
Hey guys! It was actually funny that you mentioned how hot it is, because as I was looking at the picture of the two of you in the sand dunes I thought to myself that it was funny Erin's wearing a long sleeved shirt and that it must be cool there.... even though I had expected it to be hot. Do you have to wear long sleeves and long pants? We love hearing what's going on, the stories and pictures are amazing! We'll continue to keep you and the places you're in in our prayers.
Hey guys- You guys are doing an amazing job at keeping everyone back home up to date on what you are doing- we love it! It's now just routine for us to check in with you- you are definately in our thoughts and prayers daily! We think this is far better than most reality TV shows we've seen (ok you know that is limited but you get the point right?! :) Love you both- Wes & Briar, Kaityn, Berlin & Rowan
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