Sunday, May 4, 2008

Noises

I realized some time ago my education here goes way beyond the local language and customs. I’ve become familiar with so many new sounds. I now know the sound of a chicken when it’s being killed, a goat when it’s giving birth, the baby next door when it’s hungry. I know the sound of the tonal repetitions in the local language when two close friends meet in passing; the rumble of the flour grinder two houses down and the hum of a nearby generator; the sound of mice and big lizards running around my ceiling at night and the ruckus that ensues when one chases the other (I always root for the lizard); the sound of the marché across the way from me carrying on well into the night; the deep-throated grumble of cattle as they graze in front of my house; the low clicking orders of their herder; the whining of children versus the baying of goats, though I swear one goat sounds like he’s always saying in a deep grumpy voice “Badddddd!” (I’ve named him Eeyore); all the different bird and insect calls. I’m even learning to discern the voice of each student who, in passing at night, will see me cooking dinner by candlelight and holler out from the dark “Good Evening, Madame Catherine!”

There are no glass windows here, just metal shutters and sometimes screens, so you can hear everything going on within several dozen meters. With all the noise I find myself listening more. That is, before I put in earplugs at night to try and get some sleep!

8 comments:

loehrke said...

One of your very best blogs (and that is saying something).
Thanks for a vivid description of your life and helping all of us overseas get just a bit closer to all of you.
Thanks SO much and big hugs to you, Mark Loehrke (Carly's dad)

Ms. Benson said...

oh Kate!
You are Amazing! Even though you haven't heard from us, you have never been far from our thoughts! I have loved catching up with you as I read your blogs! I miss you and can't wait to see you!
Theresa

Judith A. Johnson said...

I loved this blog entry. Those little things are the sounds that will bring you back in time whenever you hear them in the future, or hear something almost like them. It will make me more thoughtful of the sounds around me.

loehrke said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kate!!!!
From Mark Loehrke (Carly's dad)

Anonymous said...

All that happens is the Lord of the set, only adjust So we just have to be what the nature of nature

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