May 25 - Water Day

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Today we began with a tour of the mangroves in the waterways surrounding our hotel.  Once into the boat, we explored some of the channels, seing the oysters along with other flora and fauna.  Our desitnation was a little island with a fishing village called Sippo.  We were greeted warmly by the Queen of the village, who patiently answered our questions about her life and the life of the village.  We presented her with a spectacular piece of jewelry created by Lisa Abbott's husband.

Then we were off to the other end of the island, where Ousmene, the Director of WARC, gave us a lecture on Senghor's poetry and the Negritude movement.  A picnic lunch was next (although the term "picnic" doesn't do justice to the salads and drinks from the hotel, along with grilled freshly-caught fish).  It was simple, savory, and satisfying.

Our boat ride back to the hotel got us there in time for optional trips to the Gambian border (where Yaga was relieved of his recently-purchased tea and sugar by a border guard exercising his power) and to the Island of the Birds, a place in the mangroves where thousands opon thousands of birds sheltered every night.  Our birder colleagues claimed it was overwhelming.

After dinner we boarded the bus again for a trip to a local village wrestling tournament.  We saw the strutting and posing we had come to expect, as well as some fine grappling.  Wali, a former wrestler, did a bit of strut dancing himself.  The organized chaos of the event showcased the preening rituals of the yong men, both wrestlers and their coaches, and the appraising eyes of the young girls.  It was an exciting, unique opportunity.