The Color Orange

The four of us hiked to the top of Rajat, the 'mountain' close to my house. I hadn't been to the top before and it was wonderful, very windy, almost cold, wow. And I could see all of Nema (this view is looking northwest). It felt so good to hike and exert myself, be with my friends, and accomplish something in the form of reaching the top. I used to do that in Initi, too. I would sing opera from the top of hills! We find ourselves in strange ways, in strange places. Thank God.

People are eating again, so they're happy! Which means I'm happy!

Yep, that's me! I'm so white n' nerdy now! But I do feel we need to get Nema out there as much as possible. As time goes by I can add more, inshallah.

Witness my sisters from Initi (near Keadi), Timbouka with my guitar, wild Warda on the right, baby Fatima's face in the bottom right corner, and a random neighbor on the left. This is my current wallpaper-I miss them!

These are all the volunteers in my sector, Girls' Education and Empowerment (GEE), along with our Assit. PC Director Siham, her assistant, Dame, and the coordinator, Amanda, a second year volunteer. Good luck back in the US, Amanda! We miss you! We're a diverse group, some with teaching and work experience, some just out of college, a few guys, as you can see. I'm on the end in the black mulafa. I have chosen to wear the veil during the week and for all special occasions in Nema. I find it gives me an automatic in, paticularly with women. I consider it the Mauritanian power suit. No, it doesn't mean I've gone completely native (i.e. Muslim), nor do I support forced veiling and seclusion of women. People routinely call me bilani, or white moor (the power group here in Mauritania), and sometimes 'mooress' if they have any French or English! Besides helping with integration, it protects my skin from the sun and I can pull it across my face to keep out blowing sand (or worse). Plus, it makes me feel feminine, mysterious, and like I'm dressing up everyday. A little eyeliner and I become Layla, the beautiful woman from Arabic poetry. I'm having the time of my life. One big downside-it doesn't really keep me cool. When I'm being compeltely honest with myself I will admit that it's hard to feel sexy when sweat is oozing out of every pore.
Interesting note: the practice of veiling and seclusion was propagated by us-women-because Mohammed (The Prophet) veiled his wives to ensure their chastity since so many people came through his house every day. But he never intended for the average woman to take up the practice. They did it to emulate the prophets' wives! We are truly our own worst enemies.