Hello from Africa!"The capital of Djibouti is Djibouti. Don't tell me I've never had a coke before." This is my first time in Africa, and it is just how one envisions it, but with trash strewn about everywhere. We are stationed at Camp Lemonier, which is a marine facility with all military branches and foreign military and civilians. It's the kind of place that makes me glad I joined the Air Force; everything is run down and old comparatively. But it is a resort compared to the country outside.
Yesterday we played four performances; Christmas music for breakfast and dinner at the dining facility and performances at two different bars. We played some"party music" at the bars and my arrangement of 80's tunes went over pretty well (when was the last time you heard a brass quintet play Bon Jovi or MichaelJackson?" The last cantina we played at had foreign nationals that received us particularly warmly. We got a limbo line started with my trombone as a limbo stick (as it was being played). I'll try and get a copy of that picture to Kim so she can post it on the blog.
We went into the city of Djibouti today. It is not very large, but very poor. We went shopping, and I have never been accosted quite like this before. Three people at a time would come up to you to get you to come to their shop. They won't take "no" for an answer. They were friendly, but very pushy. We saw the Red Sea from a distance, and it was the only place that did not have trash around it. As much as I have liked playing for troops, I'm looking forward to performances at villages and schools. The main mission of this base is to develop relationships with the surrounding communities through humanitarian efforts to prevent the spread of extremism. This is probably one of the most useful things I can think of for a trombone (besides a lamp!).
All the best from Africa, and I'll write more in the near future.
3 comments:
It's so interesting to read about your experiences in Africa. Stay safe! We anxiously await your return and will take care of Kimmy and Jadelyn in your absence. Madre
Hey Kaz, any more mbiras? Maybe you'll see em, maybe not, maybe they are a different kind... and the drums are different.
Good to see you post online and read about africa! Yeah, I'll get there soon... Was visiting Mom and Dad just on sunday - the car costs too much to fix now, so I'm taking the bus.
Oh, and speaking of pushy sales people, that try to take your luggage anyways at the airport.... that reminds me of China :)
Post a Comment