Follow The Gruddas

Here's a chance to learn a little about Guinea-things we've learned already:

*One day while Brandon was in the market, he was asked where he was from. After answering "America" the response was, "Oh. Gold or diamonds?" That's what white people are here for. There's a gold belt not far from Kankan and MANY people are hoping a rich vein or big nugget is their ticket out of poverty. Sometimes there are as many as 30 motos in line at gas stations waiting to head into the bush. A driver with the metal detector and two diggers (all on one moto, usually). Someone in our neighborhood has found 65 pounds worth.

*Today we received a promo-text on our cell phone promoting today's mosque service with a guest imam. You could reply and get the message straight to your phone. Can you imagine Verizon doing something like that? Islam is DEEP here.

*You may remember the (semi-recent) TIME magazine cover with the breast-feeding picture and the stir that caused. Public breast-feeding is widely accepted here. Not awkward for them at all (and it's getting less so for us) to shake hands while breast-feeding or finalize a business transaction at the same time. Meal times too. 

*With the vice-like grip of Islam on this part of the world, spiritual warfare is much more pervasive than in America. Demons have been seen in our house (not recently). Our colleagues have had children carry on conversations with demons. We've both noticed more vivid and strange dreams since being here (Last night I killed 2 people and was sentenced to 10 months in jail). Why don't you add that to your prayer list?

*Right hand-the only hand to do anything with here. Paying, accepting a product, waving, obviously shaking hands, pointing to a loaf of bread...the left hand is "the dirty hand" (sorry lefties). In an area that historically (and currently) has no running water, you can imagine why they designate a "dirty hand".

*We haven't yet been to a bank. We change cash with an Indian guy in his hardware store. We included a picture of what this is like. The largest bill denomination is 10,000 Guinea Francs (about $1.40) so $100 really fills the pockets. 

*Also wanted to include a picture of our trip to visit a nearby village. It was a fun experience getting to meet the village chief and be followed around by swarms of children. Yes, Hannah is wearing a headscarf. 

-Brandon