I arrived last night on time and with ALL my luggage...all three suitcases and two boxes!!! Some of you might not understand the significance of this but many of you know I am cursed with arriving in many African countries without my luggage. So this was certainly a happy first moment.
I must mention here before I go on that before I left, a very dear friend of mine reminded me of one of my most favorite reoccurring experiences...In most places I travel in Africa, upon arrival one must exit the plane, immediately walk down steep metal steps and walk across the tarmac to the terminal. Well, there is this moment of sheer joy that comes over me as I feel the humid warm air hit my face and the complex smells consume my nose..it is a feeling of "coming home". Those exact words spoken by my friend..express the sentiment perfectly. Mauritania didn't disappoint, I walked out into the air, breathed deeply and smiled joyfully. I am very happy to be here.
Now back to my arrival..I was greeted by Jamie, the Cultural Affairs Officer at the US Embassy. He is a new arrival here. He has been great and very welcoming. He dropped me off at Chris and Nitza's house and Chris was there to meet me. Nitza is still in Washington but will be coming back soon. For those of you who don't know, I know them from Washington. I will be staying in their rather large home for the time I am here. Nitza has definitely added her aesthetic to the place..and it is filled with Mauritanian paintings, boxes, carpets, leather pillows, teapots, etc. Yes yes, I know Christmas is right around the corner...already noted, my friends. Anyway, a very nice home indeed. Chris took me out around 10:30pm for a late dinner and then it was off to bed for me. I was exhausted.
This morning Jamie and I met with Abdelrakhman. He had great energy…great ideas and is into film. We visited this space that he “manages” which has been turned into an expo area of sorts. It is located across the street from the National Museum. He showed us the remnants of the last exposition that had different installations explaining anything from composting to how to make furniture from the blue plastic bag (that litters many landscapes in Africa) and sand to a mural illustrating how the ocean threatens the dunes around Nouakchott.
He also gave us options for where we might decide to paint our own mural----it will be completed just in time for a big exhibition there celebrating 50 Years of Independence. It is also there that I had my first tiya—the 3 glasses of mint tea---although, I think we were only served two...it was enough in that heat. That is for another blog entirely…because I am completely curious about the whole process..I think it will be a topic to paint for sure. The visit was great and I am so excited to discuss the mural project with the artists on Sunday. I think it will be an interesting project to get so many voices into one space and have it work well visually. I can’t wait to start!
In the afternoon, we went on a tour of the city. I was most taken by two things..one, just how close to the city dunes form and two, the fish market and beach. We visited late afternoon when the boats were returning with their catch. I am always in awe of the strength it takes to move one of those boats. The beach was crowded..and many squashed fish were strewn about the sand, keeping us all on our toes---literally. It was a fun outing. Check out my photos!
Tomorrow we are bringing all the art supplies to the museum to set up the space to work. I will also meet with the artists and Ami, the woman who has been coordinating this program with the Embassy and the artists. They have requested I meet with them prior to the start of the workshop. I have no idea what we will talk about tomorrow but I will be happy to meet them. It is starting to feel real..this art workshop. I am anxious to begin so that the butterflies will go away. Perhaps tomorrow will calm my nerves. Inshallah..
I promise I will not write this blog like I am reporting every minute of my day. Sorry these are a little stiff…I am hoping they will get better
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