Tales of a Thirty-Something

So as ya’ll are all gearing up for Holiday Season 2K10, I celebrated yet another Islamic parade of apologizing, macaroni, and sheep.   Last Wednesday was “Tobaski.” It is the celebration of the story of Abraham almost sacrificing his son to God in the Old Testament.   Because, Abraham is finally told to spare his son and instead kill a sheep, the Islamic faith celebrates this day in the same fashion.   The morning was spent in the same fasion as Korite (the celebration after Ramadan).   Everyone donned new clothes, new braids, and new shoes (all of which will last approximately one to two months).   We then went to the praying field for a quick session with Allah and, of course, to show off our new clothes.   After the prayers, we headed home apologizing to everyone we saw, removed our new clothes, and proceeded to dismember the sheep.   If I wasn’t so grossed out by the whole process of it, I think I could have found a new calling in life.   The other day, biking to Koutiabia, I n