Rain water is better for plants than tap water. When I was first told this I assumed it had something to do with the chlorine that is often used to disinfect municipal water supplies. Nope. It’s actually because the pH is better (slightly acidic to balance out soil that is often alkaline), the water is softer (higher mineral content limits absorption by the roots), and it’s filled with nitrates that act as a natural fertilizer. The nitrates are there thanks to lightning tearing through atmospheric nitrogen. Does everyone know this?

I also learned that what I thought was a cloud of irritating gnats is actually a swarm of STINGLESS BEES. I learned this when Murray Garde, a former client on our carnival scoot trip who has now become a friend, exclaimed at the Sleeping Camel here in Senegal, “Oh my God!!! YOu have native bees!!!!!!” What?? What the hell are native bees? Murray went on to explain that they are small, stingless bees, that happen to be very important pollinators. He also said their honey is coveted for its rich sweetness and the limited quantities that are produced.

Here they are repairing an entrance tube.

There are over 400 species of stingless bees. Did you know about this? I didn’t!!!

One of the wonderful things about running our trips and having places like the Sleeping Camel is that we meet people like Murray. He is a linguist and anthropologist that has spent most of his life living and working in a remote region of Australia’s Northern Territory. In recent years he has been spending quite a bit of time in West Africa and after his first scoot trip with us in February, he came down and stayed for a few weeks in Somone this summer. He will be back in a few weeks to do our Mauritania and Cape Verde trips. Needless to say, he is part of the family now. Just a really lovely person who is curious and fascinated by so many things, and someone who has really lived a life. You may just run into him if you come and visit us!