I've decided that retired people need a schedule as it creates a comfort zone. I'm even discovering that, if I get up often enough at 6.30am, I find myself jumping out of bed without muttering to myself. For most people it will seem daft for me to be marching up and down the apartment, wearing my headphones. I would prefer to walk outside but, out there, there are no pavements so I'm walking on the road. I'm having to watch the traffic, the piles of morning rubbish waiting to be collected, the parked vehicles, the potholes etc. Walking inside is more relaxing and I can listen to the BBC at the same time.
This morning there was in interesting programme about Somalia which they called Somaliland. 5,000 years ago people used the many caves, scattered across the country as they lived their nomadic lives. These caves are full of beautiful wall paintings of animals that are nowadays only found much further south in Tanzania - animals such as giraffe, zebra, lion etc. Most of the local people, who are no longer nomadic didn't even know the paintings existed. Those who study them say it's a perfect example of climate change.
It reminded me of a Natural History Field trip I did outside Kano, in Nigeria. We went to an outcrop of rocks and were able to see so many wall paintings. We asked the locals and they either knew about them but were totally disinterested or they had no idea they were there. It was interesting that all the members of the group were from outside Nigeria.
While I was in Nigeria I'd bought a block of wood, which I was told was a pillow. I couldn't imagine anyone using this small piece of wood, with a hollow in it, to sleep. On the programme I learned that they are still in use by people in Somalia to protect their Afro hairstyle which, among the men, is a sign of virility. I suppose it's an example of "Don't mess with my hair!"
There was a strong wind yesterday and a piece of paper with my notes on it flew off my desk, out through the window, over the balcony and landed in a tree. I stood and watched it for a while, wondering how to get it back, and then it floated onto the street three floors below. I dashed down my back alley, round the corner and down the street and luckily it hadn't blown any further. I didn't bother checking but, if anyone was watching, they'd think it strange seeing me running along, picking up paper and then sauntering back again.
Friends brought me bananas from their organic farm. Under normal circumstances I'd have been happy to have them but what can I do with over 30 bananas? They ripen so quickly here so I kept some and gave the rest to my neighbours.
Luc, a friend from Montreal, is doing volunteering work here. He's a retired nurse so he comes in handy living at the children's home. I don't see him that often so I asked if we could have a meal together. I suggested the Indian restaurant or a French restaurant. Luc is French speaking so I thought he could do the ordering. He chose the Indian restaurant. I've been going so often the man has a bright smile on his face when I show up - always with different people.
I went across the road to give Samnang my left over food. Oudom opened the door and, while we chatted, we saw a mouse running up the stairs. If it had been my home I'd have gone into my mouse catching mode but Oudom thought it was hilarious, especially as the mouse had to jump up the steps; Oudom said it was like a kangaroo. It had better not come over here.
