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Death by Afrobeat

So, back to the blog.  Until we came back for the Summer, I had no idea that people really enjoyed it.  I quite like writing and sometimes 'nostalge' (if that is not a real word, I am claiming it) that letter writing is not a thing now.  Perhaps it will be called vintage in 10 years and get taken up by teenagers?  I found the unposted blog from where I had left off and may as well start there...   I had heard of Afrobeat and Afropop before we got here.  The term encompasses all the arts and embraces the amazing contemporary vibe here.   We have been doing African dance classes, a chance to boogie and exercise at the same time.  Our usual teacher had to move on and we were introduced to our new teacher this week.  Suspiciously young looking and when the pounding Afrobeat came on, louder than was comfortable, anxiety levels mounted.  It was twice the speed as the last class.  Can't he tell that I am approaching the tea dance year...
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Three... three... three four...

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 ...is the strange counting our dance teacher does before we joyfully, and wholeheartedly, mimic a series of African dance moves.  He has his work cut out getting us to hang a bit looser but we are happy to lose ourselves in the music and learn the routines.  A great aerobic workout, where no one would be remotely bothered if we just sat down and watched!  The mental challenge and co ordination can only be doing us good.  Love the people we have met and it is nice to mix beyond teachers.  It is also in French.  I found myself blurting out the words 'and when we do the big bird dance, what leg is first?'  Not only did I get an answer, I also used the correct leg. I have just mounted the IB Exhibition.  It has been a triumph.  The amount of fuss I have made personally, was well matched by the ambition and high quality work by the 2 students involved.  They both had a strong drive to reference Burkina/ African motifs.  What a jour...
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Once, Twice, Three Times a...

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 ...lady with COVID.  The test kits we have access to are only 65% accurate.  School is now closed for a few days as so many staff tested positive last Friday.  I was very ill with 'flu' last week.  A 'flu' that I kept telling Luke was very similar to my last bout of COVID.  I tested negative but still suspect that it was COVID.   So, still nursing that horrible post COVID fatigue and crackly lungs.  I wasn't so ill this time, or, I am getting better at knowing not to move?  Do not fight it.  You cannot shake off the lethargy.  Just sit still to wait for the main wave to pass.  I also took three days off work.  Dr Pinney does not believe I have had COVID.  He has strong views on health; his health, my health, the health of anyone (ask our children).  He supposes that he has contracted and fought off malaria numerous times.  If you have something, keep it quiet.  Despite this, he did look after me a...
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Dangerous Sunbathers...

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The walk through the woods this Sunday morning was livened a little by a sunbathing crocodile.  So, they do come out and walk about, even out of the rainy season.  Also, our 'drain dwelling' friend further in town had found a new spot that drew a bit of attention.  It was easy, though maybe not wise, to get about 6ft from it.  Just as I said 'is it dead?'  it flicked open an eye.  Yah, yer trickster...     I have started to check the swimming pool for crocodiles. Seeds are now in pots: tomatoes, squash, cannas and spinach.  Compost is doing its thing in a bucket and got very hot during the week.  There is always a sense of belonging and investing when making a garden.  Amid the ongoing speculation, we are glad of every pay cheque and will hopefully get some homegrown tomatoes before June. SIAO, the massive African Art Fair is on.  I had big hopes and organised a bus trip.     Rocks from Mali      ...
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Never smile at a cro........

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 Luke screeched to a halt, brakes tested and working.  I stopped behind him but alarmingly close to the 5 foot crocodile that was sunning itself in the large open drain.  It was true.  The crocs move around the city and it isn't even the rainy season yet. I moved respectfully out of the way while Luke moved into its space to take a photo.  It slid down a bit, perhaps half thinking of sliding back under cover.  Its belly was full to bursting, so no room for a full grown Brummie in there.   When I look at this photo, I can't believe we were so near... We have started doing our garden.  It takes a pick axe to break up the soil.  Inherited pot bound shrubs and plants have been forced out screaming and finally given some space to grow.  Hopefully most will adjust to this new life.  Luke took a wheel barrow round to what we think is the local salvage yard.  It is run, perhaps, by an elderly man who seems to also live on top of t...
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2023

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 Not our usual seeing in the New Year!  I am sat in our upgraded room in  Casablanca.  I slept through the New Year, again.  Luke saw in the New Year, again, and is asleep next to me.  We will honour the sea dip tradition though and have already found our perfect spot which we will walk to later. An upgraded room means you have further to walk to your tiny bathroom.  I think we won this privilege due to spotting a sudden burst water tank and averting serious hotel room flooding.  Heroes with wheelie suitcases.   It didn't feel particularly heroic, more annoying when the manager would not get off his arse and the flood was picking up momentum.  My French for 'please give us a bucket while we wait' didn't work and many a towel was lost to the fight.  We need to add some more phrases to our French lessons list... We have walked a lot of Casablanca.  Sadly both too scruffy to go to Ricks Cafe-no trainers, no jeans, no sports w...
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The Purge

 Last few days have been dedicated to the purge!  We have been politely warned that all the local population 'purge' their intestines on at least a bi annual basis.  What they are rooting out is anything that might take a fancy to living there!  Grossed out yet?  I was.  But also pro active enough to buy the tablets and do the deed.  Luke was forced, kicking and screaming.  A lifelong nature lover to the extent that everything has a right to life... No way.  Tablets taken.  One a day for three days.  Then the weekend was planned around places within easy reach to previously researched toilets.  Nothing dramatic happened.  Nothing. We started French lessons last Friday.  It was pretty much a recap and I can confidently get to the airport on a bicycle now.  Or even on a horse.  Luke was keen to explain that he do both of those things confidently in Spanish.  I came away with 2 new phrases that I pulled fr...
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