So, this is the post where I explain what it is that I do in my large expanses of free time during the week, eh? Well, for starters, I have rediscovered my absolute love of making music. My friend, Jesse, brought a guitar with him from home, and he's nice enough to let me play it whenever I want, so I've been taking definite advantage of this. He, Darren, and I have all been writing songs; Jesse has a mic with his computer, so we've been able to record the fruits of our labor thus far. We're hoping that the creative rainy season continues long enough for us to throw together enough material for a (mostly, if not entirely, for sentimental value) cd we've jokingly entitled "The Ghana Sessions." We're like the ISEP Crosby, Stills, and Nash; it's great fun.

But yes, many afternoons already have been killed on Jesse's balcony, listening to music, playing guitar, watching the planes land at the airport, and talking about life, the world, and everything. His room seems to be the hangout for the more pensive among us; conversations regularly hop from crazy stories from back home to philosophy to travel plans to theology to what we're doing for dinner, and it's great. If nothing else, his balcony is worth hanging out at because of the breeze - I live on the ground floor and don't have the great view, or the cool breeze, that the second floor possesses.

I wish I could say that, at this point, I've managed to spend my time doing something more worthwhile than just hanging out, but all my assorted volunteering attempts have slipped through the cracks. There are finally some other folks going to an establishment that's part orphanage, part after-school center on a day when I can join then, so I'll start going with them as soon as I can.

So, that's life here when I'm not in class or on the road. Speaking of being on the road, I depart for Timbuktu next Friday...the average American college student does Florida for spring break, or maybe someplace in the Caribbean, but not me - it's Sahara time!